Maryland Public Television Internships: Launching Your Career in Broadcasting

Maryland Public Television (MPT) offers internships that provide a solid introduction to the world of public service and educational media. These internships are designed to give serious-minded individuals valuable work experience in a positive environment. MPT, Maryland’s only statewide broadcaster, serves the entire state of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Overview of MPT Internships

MPT internships offer a thorough introduction to Maryland Public Television including our mission and expectations. Maryland Public Television is committed to providing solid work experience to serious minded individuals in a positive environment. MPT internships are available year-round for college students, offering both full-time and part-time opportunities. These internships provide valuable experience in television programming, development, co-productions, and related business development. Interns will be evaluated based upon information submitted via this online application process and may be invited to interview.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for an MPT internship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Graduate of a college, university, or trade school.
Commit to a minimum of 16 hours per week.
Have reliable transportation.
Applicants must either be enrolled in an accredited high school, college/university, graduate college, trade school, or a recent graduate. All high school applicants must be either junior or senior year students.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

Cover letter
Unofficial transcript
Resume
A letter from your school indicating the internship is for academic credit (if applicable)

If the internship is for experience only and not for academic credit, applicants should indicate this in their cover letter and submit a professional reference from an advisor, instructor, or employer.

The online applications are strongly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application (and supplemental questionnaire) may be submitted to Maryland Public Television - HR, 11767 Owings Mills Blvd., Owings Mills, MD 21117. If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If you are unable to upload, please fax the requested information to 410-581-4382. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment.

All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Internship Structure

MPT internships are primarily in-person, although hybrid opportunities may be available. Interns contribute a minimum of 16 hours per week in exchange for an engaging educational experience.

Available Internship Areas

MPT offers internships in a variety of fields, including:

Television Programming
Development
Co-productions
Public Relations
IT
Education
Marketing
Communications

The MPT Foundation

The MPT Foundation, formerly known as the Maryland Public Broadcasting Foundation, is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation established in 1981 to encourage increased funding for MPT and to receive donations and grants on MPT's behalf. The Foundation also safeguards MPT's endowment funds in an effort to insulate MPT from economic hard times.

The MPT Foundation is governed by an independent board of directors composed of community leaders who are elected to staggered three-year terms. Directors serve strictly on a voluntary basis.

Funds housed at the MPT Foundation enable MPT to respond to program opportunities that sometimes present themselves off the rhythm of state and federal budget planning cycles.

Complementary Programs and Opportunities

For students in Baltimore interested in public service and leadership, several programs complement the experience offered by MPT internships. The NextGen Leaders for Public Service program, a Schaefer Center for Public Policy initiative at the University of Baltimore, inspires and prepares students from all majors for careers in public service.

NextGen Leaders for Public Service

This program includes paid internship experiences, co-curricular activities, and academic programs to support and prepare students interested in careers in government and nonprofit sectors. UBalt students interested in a paid internship experience should review the NextGen Leaders for Public Service listing of host sites. NextGen Leaders internship host sites include a range of opportunities to work in Maryland State, Local, and Municipal Government, Maryland Nonprofits, and Baltimore Community Development organizations.

How it Works

Launched in Fall 2022, the NextGen Leaders program provides a range of opportunities, including academic programs, paid professional experiences, co-curricular experiences, and cohort experiences.

Academic Programs

The academic component of the NextGen Leaders program includes an option for students from any major to pursue a minor in public service (undergraduate) or a non-credit certificate (undergraduate or graduate) in Public Service Leadership.

Paid Professional Work Experiences

Under the NextGen Leaders umbrella are a variety of paid professional work experiences available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Schaefer Center Graduate and Doctoral Fellowships: These fellowships provide outstanding University of Baltimore students the opportunity to work alongside Schaefer Center researchers and faculty members on applied research, program evaluation, policy analysis, and leadership development programs for government and nonprofit organizations. Schaefer Center Fellows receive full tuition remission and a stipend while working at the Center 20 hours per week.
NextGen Leaders for Public Service Program: This program provides graduate and undergraduate UBalt students from any major with the opportunity to explore careers in public service through paid internships. Public Service Interns can work in any state, county, or local government agency in Maryland. Internships generally last 15 weeks. Interns work 10-20 hours per week, earn $15 per hour, and have the opportunity to earn academic credit (with prior approval from their internship coordinator).
Community Development Fellowships: These fellowships provide dynamic, motivated students who have a strong interest in effecting positive change in urban areas the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and gain hands-on development experience. By matching students with organizations that directly support Baltimore neighborhoods, this fellowship program aims to improve the city while cultivating the next generation of community development leaders. This program is open to graduate and undergraduate students. Fellows work 10-20 hours per week, earn $15 per hour, and have the opportunity to earn academic credit (with prior approval from their internship coordinator).
Rosencrantz Local Government Fellows program: This program places the College of Public Affairs’ best and brightest undergraduate and graduate students into paid fellowship positions in Maryland counties and municipalities. Fellows are generally placed in an office of a County Executive, County Administrator, Mayor, or Councilmember.

Co-Curricular Experiences

Students participating in the NextGen Leaders initiative have access to a wide variety of co-curricular experiences including events and conferences focused on government and public service; professional development workshops; site visits with government agencies; and public service events.

Cohort Experiences

Participants in the NextGen Leaders program will have the opportunity to participate in a fall kick-off retreat and a spring closing retreat. Students will have fun getting to know their peers, participating in workshops and seminars, and learning about themselves.

Digital Badges

Students who complete a prescribed set of NextGen Leaders activities will be able to earn digital badges recognizing them as NextGen Leaders.

Additional Internship Opportunities in Baltimore

For high school students in Baltimore, several other internship opportunities can provide valuable experience:

Ladder Internships: A virtual program offering collaboration with early-stage startups in fields like biotechnology, health tech, or environmental science.
Baltimore Law Links Internship: Places students in real legal workplaces like law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest offices.
Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science (JHIBS): Allows students to conduct research, analyze data, and explore brain science through either an in-person or virtual track.
Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE): Offers a rigorous introduction to biomedical research for high school students from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds.
CLA High School Internship Program: Provides a practical approach to discovering career paths in accounting, finance, or business.
Urban Alliance High School Internship Program: A year-long paid internship program that merges professional development training with actual workplace exposure.
Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH) Fellows Internship Program: Provides hands-on exposure to Baltimore’s healthcare industry through both summer and school-year opportunities.
Maryland State Internship Program: Connects high school and college students with agencies across the state for flexible, real-world work experiences in public service.
Governor’s Summer Internship Program (GSIP): Places students at the heart of Maryland’s state government, working on real projects under the guidance of senior public officials.
Johns Hopkins Summer Jobs Program (JHSJP): Offers Baltimore City high school students a paid internship across departments at Johns Hopkins University and the Health System.
Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP): A four-week Saturday program for Baltimore City high school freshmen designed to introduce them to health and biomedical science careers.
Pay It Forward Internship Program: Gives students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute direct access to real-world STEM and business careers through partnerships with top companies and organizations.

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