WETA - Journalist Internship - Arlington, VA

WETA:

offers a wide variety of internship opportunities designed to provide students and recent graduates with knowledge and practical experience in the field of public broadcasting.

In addition to working in their assigned departments, interns are exposed to various aspects of public broadcasting through educational events such as lunches with managers, station tours, and opportunities to sit in on live broadcasts.

Internships are offered throughout the year to coincide with the typical academic calendar. Internships range from 15-40 hours per week, depending upon the needs of the intern and their assigned department. The approximate timeline is as follows:

Spring Session: January - April
Application deadline: November 15th

Summer Session: May - August
Application deadline: March 1st

Fall Session: September - December
Application deadline: July 1st

Application deadlines are firm unless otherwise noted below. All applications received before the deadline are considered in a comprehensive review that begins at the time of the deadline. Applicants are contacted only if selected for an interview.

To be eligible, interns must be currently enrolled in a college or university or have graduated within 12 months from the beginning of the internship. Interns may receive academic credit for their internship if approved and arranged by their educational institution.

WETA's internship program offers no compensation; however, assistance with transportation expenses may be offered based on availability of funds. Students are responsible for their own housing arrangements.

Available internships

* National Programming: Washington Week

Washington Week interns will gain hands-on experience working in the production of a live, national news program. They will have the opportunity to research various news stories and issues, participate in weekly editorial meetings, and assist in the control room during live broadcasts.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Communication, Political Science, or History and extensive knowledge and interest in national politics. Excellent oral and written communication skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office. Web production skills helpful.

* The application deadline for the Spring 2012 National Programming: Washington WeekInternship has been extended to January 31, 2012. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Communications

Interns in the Communications department provide support on a variety of assignments that may include marketing, writing, event preparation, and data compilation. Interns will also support major promotional events in celebration of WETA’s 50th Anniversary that may entail working with several internal departments on event management, publicity, and promotion. They may also have the opportunity to assist at Classical WETA promotional events, conduct preliminary research for upcoming films by Ken Burns, assist with the expansion of WETA’s 50th anniversary archive, and/or assist with the distribution of information to press.

Qualifications: Preferred major in English, History, Communications, or Humanities. Excellent written and oral communication skills; creative personality with an interest in TV, radio, and/or public service; familiarity with web research and Microsoft Office.

Corporate Marketing

Interns in the Corporate Marketing department will experience the day-to-day activities within a leading marketing/sales department in a top-10 market and gain exposure to marketing strategies for interactive web, TV, FM, and print. Interns will assist the marketing staff with client communication, creation and/or revision of marketing materials, development of marketing strategies, and expansion of client relations.

Qualifications: Creative and positive personality, highly organized, and knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite (specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator).

Digital Media

With responsibility for WETA’s website and various other online projects, WETA’s Digital Media department publishes, markets, and manages a digital media service that supports TV broadcasting, Radio broadcasting, promotion, and fundraising components. Interns will participate in maintaining a web-based pubic media/book publishing project, assist in updating website content and distributing content to third party sites, promote new content through online marketing, and assist in creation of graphic files in Photoshop and Flash.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Graphic Design, Video Production, Web Development, Communications, English, Digital Media, or Journalism. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Experience with Photoshop, HTML, Flash, content management systems, blogging applications, and social networking and video sites. Experience with Final Cut Pro, shared task tools such as Highrise, and/or online marketing is desired but not required.

Learning Media

Interns in WETA’s Learning Media department will have the opportunity to contribute to five vibrant educational multimedia web services – AdLit.org, BrainLine.org, ColorinColorado.org, LDOnline.org, and ReadingRockets.org – while acquiring behind-the-scenes knowledge of video and audio production. Will assist in updating site content, digitize, tag, and upload audio & video, distribute content, promote new content through online marketing, and assist in creating graphic files using Photoshop and Flash.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Education, Web Development, or Digital Media. Excellent written and oral communication skills and experience and familiarity with online social networking and video sites. Experience with Photoshop, HTML, Flash, content management systems, and blogging applications. Experience with Final Cut Pro, AVID, shared task tools such as Highrise, and/or online marketing is desired but not required.

Learning Media: BrainLine.org

BrainLine.org is a national multimedia web project offering information and resources about preventing, treating, and living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). BrainLine includes an ambitious website, original video, an electronic newsletter, an extensive outreach campaign, and a significant social media presence. Interns will assist with projects including upkeep of BrainLine.org’s social networking channels, post-production of video pieces, draft copy writing, database entry, and activities that help build BrainLine’s audience. 

Qualifications: Preferred major in Communications, Education, Media Arts, or Design. Interest in issues related to brain injuries. Excellent writing and editing skills, internet research ability, familiarity with social networking sites, video production knowledge, and experience with HTML and Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Final Cut Pro, Adobe Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and/or iMovie helpful. Experience with website user testing and/or search engine optimization a plus.

Membership

The Membership department manages non-profit member benefits, giveaways, and fundraising. Interns will participate in researching other stations’ benefit programs, contact mid-level and sustainer contributors, and assist in creating a series of benefits for WETA members and developing and implementing marketing programs.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Marketing, Liberal Arts, or Writing. Proven ability to write and speak persuasively, excellent reading comprehension, web research skills, and knowledge of Microsoft Office.

National Programming

The National Programming department develops and produces series such as In Performance at the White House, Ken Burns programs, and many other interesting projects. Interns will assist with activities involved in project development and gain exposure to how projects evolve into public television programming.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Communications or Broadcasting. Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of public broadcasting a plus.

National Programming: Production Management

Production Management interns work within WETA’s National Programming department to support productions such as In Performance at the White House, Ken Burns documentaries, Globe Trekker, and many other interesting projects.  Interns assist with the financial management of projects by tracking project expenses, reviewing expense reports, completing check requests, preparing journal entries, and reporting on project expenses against budget.  Other projects may include developing a document archival system, reviewing and taking notes on WETA programming for archival purposes, researching projects, assisting with Station Relations & Outreach mailings, and other light administrative and organizational duties for various WETA productions.

Qualifications:  Preferred major in Business, Accounting, or Marketing with coursework in Accounting.  Knowledge of Excel, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Excellent attention to detail and oral and written communication skills.  Interest in public broadcasting and/or television production a plus.

WETA Television: Production & Creative Services

WETA’s Production and Creative Services department produces local television programs such as The WETA Guide, WETA All Access, and WETA Around Town. Interns will gain experience in program research and development, production scheduling, studio and location shooting, script-writing, and post-production techniques.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Communication or Broadcasting. Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office. Knowledge of television production techniques such as scriptwriting, editing, and shooting helpful.

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