The Washington Post Internship: Your Gateway to Reinventing News

Introduction

The Washington Post offers internship programs across various departments, providing students with invaluable opportunities to contribute to a leading news organization. These internships are designed to immerse interns in real-world projects, fostering professional growth and potentially paving the way for a fulfilling career.

About The Washington Post

The Washington Post is dedicated to delivering compelling and insightful storytelling to audiences across America. The organization strives to reinvent news through a deep commitment to investigative journalism and innovative approaches to bring important stories to the forefront.

The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of its people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.

The Internship Experience

As an intern at The Post, you will be seen as a valuable contributor, working on assignments that contribute to the enhancement of our customer experience. The Washington Post values its interns as integral members of the team, recognizing that this opportunity extends beyond a mere internship, it has the potential to kick-start a fulfilling career. Interns work directly with full-time engineers on real production features. Additionally, you'll be invited to exclusive events like our annual intern hackathon and lunch seminars from leaders across the company.

Types of Internships Offered

The Washington Post offers internships in two primary categories: Newsroom Internships and Engineering & Business Operations Internships.

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Newsroom Internships

Newsroom internships are available for aspiring reporters, photographers and videographers, multiplatform editors and producers, news and digital designers, graphics reporters and developers, social media producers, audio producers, and editorial writers. The 2021 intern class included journalists with skills in reporting, editing, audio, video, photography, graphics and design. Their work was featured on all Washington Post platforms.

Engineering & Business Operations Internships

The Washington Post offers paid internships in various fields, including accounting, advertising, app development, communications, customer enablement, engineering, finance, human resources, marketing, product design, social media, and tax. The 2025 Engineering and Business Operations intern class included exceptionally talented students from colleges and universities who joined the offices for the summer, embodying a diverse range of academic fields, including Engineering and Finance. Interns engage in impactful projects, and the work completed during the internship program supports the present and future initiatives of The Post.

Specific Team Opportunities

Engineering: Interns can support product, engineering, marketing, and operation functions within Arc XP, contributing to the development of high-performing products and experiences for The Washington Post's main site, apps, and digital platforms.
Client Solutions & WP Creative Group: Interns can support the work that creates custom integrated marketing campaigns. Past clients include Cleveland Clinic, Hilton, Hulu, and Mastercard.
Data and Analytics: Interns supporting this team will work with a highly visible department that applies data, analytics, and research to support data informed decisions company wide.
Finance and Accounting: Interns gain experience on billing, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, planning and growth, budgeting, and corporate strategy depending on their specific role.
Human Resources: Interns working with this team will gain experience and learn HR functions across Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Talent and Organizational Development, Employee Relations, Employee Engagement, HRIS, Benefits, and Employer Branding.
Marketing: Interns gain experience with a creative team that works with internal and external partners to promote The Washington Post brand and reach subscribers worldwide.

Eligibility and Requirements

General Requirements

Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Applicants must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at the time of submitting the application.
You must be a college junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in a degree program by the application deadline date.

Special Considerations

Foreign nationals can apply for internships. All work samples must be submitted in English. Work authorization must be provided. The Post is unable to provide visa sponsorship for internships.
Prior internship experience is not required, although most previous applicants have had at least one prior internship experience.

Application Process

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the summer 2022 internship was noon Eastern Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. Applicants were notified of the application committee’s decision by no later than Nov. As we look ahead, we eagerly anticipate the commencement of the application period for The Washington Post Summer 2026 internship program.

Application Materials

Complete the online application in modern browsers such Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari. Please attach all relevant materials, including résumé, work samples and autobiographical essay.

Qualities Sought in Candidates

The specific questions we ask will depend on the position a candidate is applying for. At The Washington Post we expect all candidates to live up to our catalysts: You will own the work you're doing, help us shape ideas for future projects, and redefine speed while doing it. During the application process, we want to understand your abilities and potential for growth. Overall, we value a strong desire to learn, passion for technology, willingness to work hard, and commitment to excel at the core.

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Internship Details

Compensation

Internships at The Washington Post are paid. Compensation varies based on role and department.

Location

Engineering and Business Operations internships are typically based in the D.C. and NYC offices. Specific position locations are included in each job posting. There is a requirement to be in the office for most internships.

Housing

The Washington Post does not provide housing for interns. Information on where to begin searching for housing is available upon request, but interns are responsible for their own housing arrangements.

Work Environment

Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week. Interns are expected to be on-site for the summer and follow The Washington Post’s in-person work policy.

What Motivates The Washington Post

The Washington Post is inspired by its mission to be the best news operation in the world. They are interested to learn about marketing in a news media organization and eager to learn about how paid media teams leverage data and its context to inform digital marketing strategy and execution.

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The Washington Post Catalysts

Whether it’s leading with empathy, taking bold ownership, moving at the speed of news, or building what’s next, The Washington Post Catalysts help us focus on what matters most and reflect the kind of people who thrive here.

Lead: Set ambitious goals and focus on the important. Listen first and assume positive intent in others. Collaborate across The Post to better serve our customers. Model courage, maturity, and empathy. Foster a culture of openness and inclusivity. Advance the mission of The Post and help us grow.
Act Fast: Speed matters. Have a bias for action and a dedication to quality. Adapt quickly. Be willing to disagree, commit and keep moving. Move at the speed of news.
Take Ownership: Ownership drives success. Own your results. Overcome obstacles through resilience and teamwork. Make well-reasoned judgment calls. Strive for excellence and build things that make you proud.
Build the Future: Ideas transform us. Look forward. Be creative and curious. Take responsible risks, have the courage to fail and keep learning. Think big and create the future.

Building Inclusive Teams

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.

Conclusion

Internships at The Washington Post offer a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and influential news organization. By providing hands-on experience and fostering a collaborative environment, The Washington Post empowers interns to develop their skills, expand their knowledge, and potentially launch their careers in the world of news and media.

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