Job Title: Digital Media: Local History Intern (Full-Time)
Reports to: Director of Digital Projects
Status: Full - Time, Non - Exempt
Hourly Rate: $18.00/hour
Preferred Year in School:
- Rising Junior
- Rising Senior
- Graduate Student
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Local History interns work within WETA’s Digital Media team to develop content for Boundary Stones, WETA’s local history initiative. Through articles, photos, video and social media, Boundary Stones seeks to highlight the notable events, personalities and happenings that have shaped the Washington, D.C. area’s past. Candidates must be an active college student or a recent graduate (within the past year).
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Brainstorm and pitch article/content ideas for the Boundary Stones website (https://boundarystones.weta.org/)
- Conduct historical research using primary and secondary sources
- Write articles for the Boundary Stones website
- Locate historical photos and videos and determine permissions for use
- Create social media friendly Boundary Stones content such as quizzes and trivia
- Contribute to Boundary Stones social media accounts and participate in larger conversations about local history
- Update the Boundary Stones promotional calendar
- Participate in meetings with the larger Digital Media team
DESIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Preferred Major: History, English, Museum Studies, or Journalism
Learning Objectives (What will the intern learn through the internship):
- Expand knowledge of Washington, D.C. area history including racial and class dynamics, notable events, neighborhood development, influential figures, etc.
- Grow critical thinking skills through thoughtful interrogation of historical sources
- Sharpen writing skills, specifically non-academic, narrative-style prose suitable for a general audience
- Develop a greater understanding of social media voice and techniques by contributing to Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, etc.
- Become familiar with the world of public media
Desired Competencies:
- Excellent writing and research skills
- Careful attention to detail
- Interest in local history and community
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. Please also see our Benefits: Benefits | WETA
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
WETA/NewsHour Productions is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. Fostering a culture of mutual respect is a top priority and something we take very seriously.
Employment at WETA/NewsHour Productions is based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, age, ethnicity or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex (including pregnancy), physical, mental or sensory ability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are also committed to demonstrating fair and equitable systems, practices, and processes related to how we recruit, develop, retain, promote, reward, compensate, and terminate talent.
We know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is fundamental to the success of our business and our people, and we will continue to recognize it as part of our guiding principles.