Internships, News Assistants and Fellowships

At WETA, we have three different pathways into public broadcasting.

Participants in our programs will gain educational and practical experiences in the field of public broadcasting and news journalism. We currently have three programs designed for college students and recent graduates. Each provides a unique perspective into the world of public media.

Internships

WETA’s internship program is offered year round and designed to provide students and recent graduates with an educational and practical experience in the workforce, specifically the field of public broadcasting. Intern schedules may range from full time to part time. Various departments offer internship opportunities at WETA ranging from Communications to TV Broadcasting, from Corporate Marketing to National Outreach.

Interns may also participate in events outside of their daily tasks, such as tours of other public broadcasting facilities, learning sessions with managers and opportunities to sit in on live broadcasts.

Internship sessions follow the below schedule:

Spring Session: January – April
Application deadline: December 15th
Summer Session: May – August
Application deadline: March 31st
Fall Session: September – December
Application deadline: July 31st

Application deadlines are firm unless otherwise noted. All applications received before the deadline are considered for the upcoming session only.

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.

All WETA internships are paid at $15/hr. Students are responsible for their own housing arrangements and transportation. WETA offers free parking.

Internships are currently available in the following departments:

Intern, Digital Media: Local History

Local History interns work within WETA’s Digital Media team to develop content for the Boundary Stones local history website (https://boundarystones.weta.org). This website includes articles, photos and video related to the history of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia and the notable events, personalities and happenings that have shaped WETA’s local community. Interns will assist in identifying, researching and writing content pieces for the website and promoting content via social media. Interns may be required to make research trips to local libraries, archives and historical societies.
Intern, Digital Media: Social Media

The social media intern works within WETA’s Digital Media team to develop engaging, sharable content for WETA’s social media channels including our primary brand accounts, our Boundary Stones local history project accounts, and our Telly Visions British TV and Culture accounts. Priorities include promoting WETA’s on-air broadcasts and digital content, spotlighting WETA’s community initiatives, and highlighting local history events and stories. With guidance from Digital Media staff, the social media intern will draft social media posts and tailor them for various platforms; find photos and memes; develop quizzes and polls; and respond to comments from social media followers. Specific channels include WETA Facebook, @WETATVFM Twitter, @WETATVFM Instagram, @WETAPBS YouTube Community Tab, @BoundaryStones Twitter, @BoundaryStones Instagram (currently in planning stages), @Telly_Visions Twitter and Telly Visions Facebook.

News Assistants

The News Assistant position is a paid, entry-level program designed for recent graduates and aimed at providing practical experience in a broadcast and digital news setting at PBS NewsHour. Each position is 1-year and is full time (40+ hours/week). The application period is approximately February - April.

You will have the opportunity to participate in many aspects of producing a nightly television news program in our News Assistant position. You will rotate through some, or all, of the following areas: field shoots, research, logging, newsdesk, online.

Fellowships

Gwen Ifill Washington Week Fellowship

The Gwen Ifill Washington Week Fellowship is named after the late Gwen Ifill who served as Moderator and Managing Editor of Washington Week from 1999 until her death in November 2016. The Fellowship provides college graduates hands-on, real-world experience working on a news analysis program. The fellowship is a 6 month, full-time position and includes a three thousand dollar ($3,000) per month stipend (less applicable taxes and withholdings). Washington Week is PBS’s longest running news analysis program and is broadcast nationally. Fellowship terms typically run from January-June and July-December. The application period is approximately October for the January session, and May for the June session.

The Gwen Ifill/PBS NewsHour Journalism Fellowship

The Gwen Ifill/PBS NewsHour Journalism Fellowship was created with funding from the Washington Press Club Foundation in honor of Gwen Ifill, the award-winning former PBS NewsHour co-anchor and managing editor. The fellowship is a 10-week, 40+ hour per week position that pays $15/hr. Current undergraduate and graduate students in good standing with their college/university and enrolled as of January 1 are eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted spring each year.