Landing Your Dream Job: A Guide to Internships in the Media Industry

Introduction

The media industry is a dynamic and competitive field. Internships provide invaluable experience, networking opportunities, and a foot in the door for aspiring media professionals. This article explores the diverse range of internships available, drawing upon real-world examples to illustrate the breadth and depth of opportunities in this sector.

Content Creation and Journalism

For those with a passion for storytelling, internships in content creation and journalism offer hands-on experience in crafting narratives and delivering news.

Writing and Reporting: Aspiring journalists can gain experience at newspapers like the Hutchinson Tribune, a start-up looking for full-time reporters, or established publications like the California Post, where they can deliver exclusive stories and cover breaking news. At KOLN, interns can lead digital coverage overnight, writing local news stories and posting to social media, while also reporting breaking news from the field. KNOP offers roles encompassing reporter, producer, and anchor responsibilities, generating stories for broadcast and digital news platforms. The Dallas Morning News provides training sessions led by newsroom members and panelists from other organizations, focusing on critical skills for journalists.
Broadcast Journalism: Internships at television stations like KMBC involve delivering scripted and ad-lib material with professionalism. At KOCO-TV, interns gather information for stories and live reports, putting together high-quality packages. KWCH seeks a candidate with a positive attitude and attention to detail to provide administrative support to the sales, traffic, and accounting departments.
Digital Content: Digital publications like The Chronicle of Higher Education seek editorial interns to work as full-time reporters. Realtor.com offers internships in writing video scripts, assisting on shoots, and managing content in WordPress.

Read also: Landing a Social Media Internship

Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations

These internships focus on promoting brands, managing public image, and engaging with audiences.

Strategic Communications: The Minnesota Council on Foundations seeks strategic leadership for internal and external communications. Microsoft Tech for Society needs someone to liaise with the journalism community to advance Microsoft’s journalism priorities globally. American Airlines seeks support for communications that help tell the story of their renewed focus on customer experience. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers opportunities to collaborate on communications strategies and develop content for various channels.
Social Media Management: OOIDA seeks individuals to develop and implement social media strategies. NBC Sports/NBC Olympics offers internships in developing, publishing, and monitoring social content. The Los Angeles Angels provide opportunities to provide analytics on account performance and monitor fan comments and messages. Pitch Lenexa seeks a student intern to support social media efforts for their World Cup 2026 watch party series.
Public Relations: Kimball Hughes Public Relations focuses on content creation quality and media list building. FleishmanHillard seeks individuals passionate about communications. Johnson County needs someone to coordinate media relations, write releases, and manage media inquiries. Amazon seeks someone to develop and manage the execution of external earned storytelling in cities with Amazon sites.
Branding and Design: Big Brothers Big Sisters needs help with a design plan for initiatives, campaigns, events, and projects, including creating branding guidelines. Sporting KC seeks someone to concept, design, and execute creative assets across a variety of platforms. Rally House needs help creating high-quality visuals in a variety of digital and print formats. Activision is looking for someone with an interest in brand strategy and consumer insights.

Read also: Landing a Social Media Internship

Multimedia and Video Production

For those interested in visual storytelling, internships in multimedia and video production offer experience in creating engaging content.

Video Production: The Los Angeles Angels offer opportunities to assist in video production, including creative concept and development, lighting, shooting, motion graphics creation, and video editing. Barkley oversees production of social content in a quick and nimble way.
Multimedia Content: Starlight Theatre offers internships in multimedia.

Data Analysis and Research

These internships focus on using data to inform business decisions and improve performance.

Data Analysis: Spotlight offers internships in data analytics across a variety of sources and dashboard building. United Airlines seeks someone to track and analyze operational and customer data and provide business analyses to management. The Journal Times is looking for someone who is able to dig deeper into the numbers behind Racine’s economy.

Read also: Sports Media Career
Market Research: Advisors Excel assists the Media Content team in researching retirement articles and facts.

Event Planning and Coordination

These internships offer experience in managing and executing events.

Event Management: The Lenexa Chamber of Commerce seeks someone to plan, coordinate, and execute event management responsibilities. Bombardier manages events, activities, and conferences for interns. Starlight Theatre also offers internships in special events.

Sports Media

For sports enthusiasts, internships in sports media offer opportunities to work with teams and organizations.

Sports Journalism: Gray Media interns can find hands-on learning environments at their stations, covering sports news.
Sports Marketing and Communications: The NCAA seeks someone to take the helm of NCAA sport social media accounts. The Kansas City Royals Foundation supports the team by assisting with fundraising efforts and program coordination. Miami Heat offers internships in supporting the development and execution of the marketing innovation and partnership strategy. The LPGA has positions available in strategic partnerships, tourney operations, marketing and communications.

Other Specialized Roles

Sales and Business Development: Insight Global offers a chance to build the foundation for a successful sales career as a Recruiter. Eagle Media seeks a General Manager who is a sales leader.
Administrative Support: KWCH is searching for a candidate with a positive attitude and careful attention to detail for an administrative support role.
Philanthropy and Community Engagement: Bass Pro Shops seeks someone to plan, create, and execute ongoing community strategies. Starlight Theatre offers internships in community engagement. The Los Angeles Angels offer internships in community relations.
Academia: The William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications seeks someone to teach and develop curriculum.

Finding the Right Internship

Consider Your Interests and Skills: Identify your passions and strengths to find an internship that aligns with your career goals.
Research Companies and Organizations: Look for companies and organizations that offer internships in your field of interest.
Network: Attend industry events and connect with professionals in the media industry.
Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: Highlight your skills and experience that are relevant to the internship.

Learning and Growth

Internships provide opportunities for professional development, business learning, mentorship, networking, and wellness.

Professional Development: Internships focus on goal setting, elevating your resume, acting on feedback, and building your brand.
Business Learning: Hear from executives and learn more about the media/entertainment industry.
Mentorship: Every intern is aligned to an informal mentor to help them navigate their summer at Paramount.
Networking & Social: Meet your fellow interns through a mix of in-person and virtual events.
Wellness: Prioritize your mental, physical and financial wellbeing through a variety of events throughout the summer.

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