The Premier Internship Program recruits, mentors, and places the top Journalism and Public Interest Communication students from the University of Washington in internships at select outlets around Puget Sound.
These internships are hands-on positions for students who are reliable, can work independently, and have some experience in journalistic coursework. One of the largest benefits for students in the Premier Internship Program is that once you are vetted by UW faculty, you are placed at the outlet, without the pressure and time of applying in a general pool of interns. Students are interviewed before placement, and mentored throughout the experience. Most internships are 20 hours per week, one-quarter, paid positions that allow students to earn course credits if they’d like. Available internships vary each year depending on the needs of employers.
Applications to the Premier Internship Program are accepted on a rolling basis. Most placements occur midway through the preceding quarter. Available positions will be posted here as they are secured during the year.
Currently available internships
The International Examiner Premier Internship:
The International Examiner Premier Intern will report and create content for the regional pan-Asian Pacific American community, while also focusing on the thriving International District of Seattle. The selected intern should be able to work diligently in a tightly knit community and build connections, report ethically, and hit deadlines for both print and online work. There are opportunities to help with social media as well if the intern is interested. The candidate will be guided by editors at the International Examiner and will attend editorial meetings weekly. Students who apply for this role must be able to work independently and the intern is eligible for a $50-$100/week stipend (depending on how much they write) for the quarter and course credit is available. Students may choose remote, in-person, or hybrid attendance and reporting.
My Ballard Premier Internship:
The Premier Intern for My Ballard will report and create content for the Ballard neighborhood and surrounding communities in Northwest Seattle. The right intern should be well-acquainted with the coverage area. The position will require about 5 stories or around 20 hours per week as assigned by the editor as well as any pitches that the intern produces. The intern will be guided through weekly check-ins with the editor and collaborative editing throughout the week. Familiarity with WordPress is a plus. Students who live in or near Ballard will be given priority for this internship. Students may choose in-person or hybrid attendance and reporting. The intern receives a $500 stipend over the quarter and course credit is also available.
The Capitol Hill Seattle Premier Internship:
The CHS reporting intern fills an active role on a neighborhood news team dedicated to the Capitol Hill and Central District areas of Seattle. You will take on regular assignments and work with the editor to shape your stories and expand your reporting skills. CHS will provide insights and training for news writing, local news investigative reporting using public records and permits, city hall and community meeting coverage, crime reporting, and more. The goal of the internship is to provide you with the beginning skills of a city beat reporter but the foundation will be useful to you no matter your path through journalism.
CHS Internship Overview:
+ Your work will include reporting on community meetings, new businesses, interviews, and more
+ Assignments will include assigned coverage, features, and breaking/spot news as well as photography
+ Editing will be collaborative and designed to educate and inform
+ We will meet in person or by phone once per week
+ CHS will be available to assist for every assignment to help and provide advice as you connect with sources and shape your reporting
+ You will be expected to file 3 to 5 stories per week with a goal of completing between 10 and 20 hours of work per week
+ You will receive a stipend of $150/week through the duration of the internship
Premier Media Group Internship:
The Premier Media Group intern will take on an active role in the production of our lifestyle and business print magazines — 425, 425 Business, South Sound, and South Sound Business — and gain real-world experience in publishing, design, and journalism. Typically, an intern works 12–20 hours per week with a flexible schedule for one quarter. The right intern should have strong writing skills, intellectual curiosity, and possess the ability to tell stories. Successful candidates must understand the importance of deadlines, teamwork, and independent thinking. Duties include writing blog posts, feature and news writing, research, copy editing, and fact-checking. The internship duties can be tailored to the intern’s interest. While Premier Media Group is currently in a work-from-home model due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an intern may be tasked with an in-person reporting assignment and will need reliable transportation across our coverage area from Olympia to Woodinville. The intern receives a $1200 stipend over the quarter and course credit is also available.
To apply to the program, please email Associate Teaching Professor Caley Cook ckcook@uw.edu with:
1) a personal statement of no more than 500 words that outlines what you would bring to a Premier Internship,
2) an updated resume,
3) a list of any published clips if you have them, and
4) a ranking of the internships you would want to participate in from most to least desired.
For internships available to all Communication students, please see the undergraduate internships page.