Culture Desk Intern - Summer 2022
A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide and that includes our interns.
From day one, interns at NPR are given real-world, hands-on responsibilities. Working alongside top professionals in the field, interns do meaningful work across a variety of departments at NPR.
Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.
Program Duration: May 31, 2022 - August 19, 2022
The Culture Desk Is NPR’s hub for coverage of film, television, books, and music as well as visual and performing arts and spaces where news and culture intersect. We bring a keen news focus to works that address meaningful cultural and social change. As entertainment industries re-invent themselves for the 21st century -- with new distribution outlets, changing consumer habits, and young and diverse audiences to attract -- we aim to highlight their most creative efforts. As part of our public service mission, we showcase the work of established artists and celebrate the careers of legends, alongside mission critical work highlighting new audiences and artists, reporting on their challenges and the sustainability of today’s business models.
Interns on the Culture Desk play a vital role in every aspect of our work, while also learning the core tenets of public service journalism, media ethics, and multi-platform reporting and producing.
INTERN WILL LEARN AND BE EXPOSED TO: The Culture Desk intern will assist reporters with research on critical stories, both long term projects and breaking news. They will also learn the basics of production, by researching and pulling tape, securing rights and excellent audio quality, and learning to mix pieces featuring varied soundscapes. We also look to our interns for assistance in digital production, basic headline writing, creative selection of art, and social media promotion.
INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES
- Researching and pulling tape for reporters as well as laying up pieces
- Producing digital pages for our stories and reviews
- Assisting with diversity tracking of our sources and reviewers
- Conducting research for critical projects
WHO CAN APPLY?
- LOCATION: This internship has the flexibility to be onsite at our Washington, DC office, fully remote, and/or a hybrid version of the two based on the intern’s preference.
- EDUCATION: Must be a current student in an accredited degree program or a recent graduate of no more than 12 months from the month of the start of the internship.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Basic Research
- Basic reporting and writing (helpful if for the web)
- Voracious appetite for pop culture
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Basic Radio production (ability to edit would be a bonus)
- Intermediate level of Social Media proficiency
- Basic time management
SCHEDULE
- At least 20 hours around her/his/their schedule
Applications close on Friday, January 14th at 5pm ET.
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. All applications must include a resume and cover letter to be considered. All interns must have authorization to work in the United States.
NPR mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law.
NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.
Want more NPR? Explore the stories behind the stories on our NPR Extra blog. Get social with NPR Extra on Facebook and following @NPRExtra and #NPRLife on Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to follow our Interns on Instagram for some behind the scenes action! Make sure to read about our commitment to diversity on our website. Find more career opportunities at NPR.org/careers and on Twitter at @NPRJobs.