Communications Intern

Job Title: Communications Intern

Reports to: Senior Director Communications

Status: Part-Time, non-exempt

Hourly Rate: $18.00

Because this is a writing-intensive internship, cover letters are highly recommended and writing samples are welcome.

Preferred Year in School:

  • Rising Junior
  • Rising Senior
  • Graduate Student

POSITION OVERVIEW:

WETA seeks a part-time Communications Intern for Fall 2024. This is an exciting opportunity for students who wish to learn about many aspects of communications and events in a non-profit, public media environment. The intern will support the WETA Communications team as we develop and execute communication plans, messaging, and events that effectively engage internal and external audiences in the D.C. area and across the national public media system. This intern will support the communications and marketing efforts for films and projects produced by WETA and distributed to national audiences, as well as those created by and focused on the local market. The Communications intern will be an in-office position in WETA’s Arlington, Virginia office, with occasional off-site event work, including evenings and weekends, as needed. The intern will be expected to work a minimum of 20 hours a week. Please note that this intern will not work directly with NewsHour Productions. Candidates must be an active college student or a recent graduate (within the past year).

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Research media contacts, write pitches/releases, and make pitches to contacts
  • Watch clips, screeners, and write descriptions for TV productions
  • Review, select, and obtain approvals of photos and write captions/descriptions
  • Write articles about tv, online, and classical music programs for WETA Magazine, Annual Report and other publications
  • Assist with public and virtual events to include registration, RSVPs, and onsite support
  • Track and report on media coverage
  • Provide administrative support to the Communications Department

DESIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Preferred Major: Communications, arts management, marketing, or humanities discipline (theater, film, visual arts, history, etc)

Learning Objectives (What will the intern learn through the internship):

  • How to apply learned writing skills to real-life publications and situations
  • The process of media relations, including writing, pitching, and follow up
  • An understanding of the public media system and the opportunities for careers in the field

Desired Competencies:

  • Excellent writing and editing skills
  • High levels of organization and attention to detail; ability to meet deadlines
  • Proven ability to maintain confidential information and interface with team members at all levels, including the senior leadership team
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks at once
  • Strong computer proficiency in Microsoft Office
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment

LOCATION

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service. Benefits | WETA

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships. WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Apply