10 Best Journalism Internships for High School Students
Ever dream of seeing your name in print or having your voice heard on the radio? Are you constantly glued to the news, or do you have a passion for storytelling? If journalism excites you, then a career in journalism might be your perfect fit. But before you jump into college applications for journalism programs, why not consider getting a head start with a high school journalism internship?
This blog is your guide to the 10 best journalism internships specifically designed for high school students. From national publications to local news outlets, we’ll explore programs that will hone your writing, reporting, and multimedia skills, all while giving you a taste of the thrilling life of a journalist.
Why Do a Journalism Internship?
There are several compelling reasons why a high school student should consider a journalism internship. It offers a chance to gain real-world experience in an exciting field. Classrooms can only teach so much, but an internship puts you in the heart of a news organization. You’ll witness the daily hustle and bustle, learn how stories are developed and reported, and even get your hands full with tasks like interviewing sources or assisting with research. This firsthand experience gives you a significant edge when applying for college programs or future journalism jobs.
Journalism internships allow you to explore your passion for storytelling and current events. An internship provides a platform to experiment and see if journalism aligns with your interests. You might find yourself engrossed in the research process, energized by the interview experience, or thrilled by the challenge of turning complex information into an engaging story.
Journalism internships open doors to professional networks and mentorship. Working alongside experienced journalists allows you to learn from the best. They can offer guidance, answer your questions, and provide insights into the industry. The connections you forge during an internship can turn into mentors who can recommend you for future opportunities or even write letters of recommendation for college applications.
The 10 Best Journalism Internships for High School Students
1. Yocket High School Summer Internship Program
The Yocket High School Summer Internship Program is an opportunity for aspiring journalists like you to gain valuable experience and a competitive edge for college applications. This intensive 4-week virtual program offers limited spots for only 50 students and requires a 10-hour weekly commitment. Throughout the program, you will work on a real journalism project and assist with research, interviewing, or writing articles.
Industry experts will provide mentorship throughout, guiding you through the project and sharing professional insights. These mentorship sessions will provide you with the skills to excel in the program and craft a standout college application. Additionally, you will receive weekly practice assessments, an official letter of recommendation, and a certificate signed by company directors to solidify your application portfolio.
2. Princeton Summer Journalism Program
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a year-long program that offers a fully-funded opportunity to get into journalism and prepare for college. You’ll learn from renowned journalists from prestigious publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post, attend lectures and workshops alongside program graduates, and may get paired with a dedicated college advisor.
The program is a hybrid experience, with online sessions throughout July followed by a culminating 10-day residential program on Princeton’s campus. Keep in mind that competition is fierce, and PSJP is highly selective. It accepts only up to 40 students after a three-round application process.
3. The National Student Leadership Conference’s Journalism Program
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) program offers high school students the opportunity to develop their journalistic skills in a simulated, fast-paced newsroom environment. You’ll gain hands-on experience with professional studio equipment and collaborate with internationally recognized media outlets. You can hone your writing and reporting accuracy through real-world simulations.
You will have the option to choose between two individualized tracks: get into investigative reporting, exploring the history and techniques to uncover the truth, or get into broadcast journalism, mastering the art of writing news stories for television and radio. You will learn from the best, as NSLC has hosted esteemed guest speakers over time, including Pulitzer Prize winners and working journalists from renowned media houses like the Washington Post and ESPN.
4. L.A. Times High School Insider Internship
The L.A. Times High School Insider internship is a prestigious program that offers high school students (from any grade level) the chance to work alongside professional journalists. You’ll gain hands-on experience covering breaking news, writing multimedia stories, and learning the core principles of journalism.
Mentorship from leading journalists and workshops provided by the L.A. Times will provide you with the skills to create compelling content. The program covers a wide range of topics, from current events (including the pandemic’s ongoing impact) to education and entertainment. Best of all, it’s completely free to participate, and you will even receive a paid stipend of $16 per hour.
5. AAJA’s JCamp Summer Program
The AAJA’s JCamp is a free, 6-day internship program in Washington, D.C., that brings together culturally diverse students for an intensive training camp led by veteran journalists and media executives. You can gain hands-on experience through interactive workshops, field trips, and by producing multimedia pieces for the program’s news site, JCamp Live.
JCamp focuses on developing strong ethics, leadership abilities, and the importance of diversity in media. The program also helps you build cross-cultural communication skills and provides guidance on networking and career mapping in journalism. While priority is given to sophomores and juniors, exceptional freshmen are also encouraged to apply.
6. EnergyMag Internships
EnergyMag looks out for passionate high school and college students to join their virtual internship program. This program offers research experience in the renewable energy sector. You will develop research and analytical skills by working on specific projects focused on companies, technologies, and current market trends.
You may choose between two options: a half-time internship during the summer months, which lasts between 2 and 8 weeks and requires a time commitment of 20 hours per week. If you opt for a year-round, quarter-time internship, it runs for 1 to 9 months and requires a lighter commitment of 8 hours per week.
With rolling admissions, there’s no need to wait for a specific deadline to apply but keep in mind that the program is selective. To be eligible, you must be a sophomore, junior, or senior with a minimum GPA of 3.25 and participation in at least one honors science or English class (exceptions may apply).
7. Dow Jones News Fund Workshops
The Dow Jones News Fund offers a helping hand through summer workshops across the country. These programs provide aspiring journalists with skills and experiences, all while addressing diverse topics and approaches within the field.
For instance, you can hone your multimedia storytelling skills at Howard University’s program, which focuses on health and wellness in underrepresented communities. Alternatively, Detroit Forward’s camp lets you explore your journalistic interests, culminating in a published story on The Detroit Writing Room’s website with personalized coaching support.
With eight programs offering different experiences, there’s something for everyone. Remember that deadlines and eligibility requirements vary across programs, so go through the specific details of each program to find your perfect fit.
8. City Limit’s CLARIFY Program
City Limits’ CLARIFY program is a paid internship opportunity for NYC high school students. This program is offered by NYC’s oldest nonprofit investigative news agency. It provides you with the tools you need to succeed in public-service journalism. Through workshops and hands-on experience, you gain expertise in research, interviewing, investigative techniques, media ethics, and even photojournalism.
The program focuses on reporting local news stories that impact New York City, particularly those from underrepresented communities. A unique aspect is the bilingual cohort option for Spanish speakers, which allows them to amplify the voices often unheard in mainstream media.
Past interns have worked on critical issues like the housing crisis, press freedom, and labor strikes. With a stipend of $1,000, this selective program takes place on the CUNY Brooklyn and York College campuses.
9. Northwestern’s Medill Cherub Program
Northwestern University’s Medill Cherub Program is a prestigious five-week summer program for rising high school seniors. This competitive program brings together 84 students to learn from accomplished journalists and university professors. You’ll gain hands-on experience on various media platforms, from writing articles for print to creating engaging content for broadcast and digital audiences.
Throughout the program, you’ll be mentored by a dedicated instructor who will guide you as you experiment with writing, reporting, editing, and even digital media production. The program culminates in the creation of your high-quality journalism piece using top-notch equipment. This provides valuable experience and a standout portfolio addition for college applications.
10. The University of Georgia’s Summer Media Academy
The University of Georgia’s Summer Media Academy is a week-long program designed for students aged 13–17. It offers programs in various media fields through hands-on projects and expert guidance. You can choose from tracks like advertising and public relations, broadcast journalism, multimedia journalism, or entertainment and media studies.
You will work with instructors to create real-world projects like designing a campaign for a non-profit, producing a broadcast news show, or building a news website. Additionally, you’ll gain skills in research, storytelling, videography, and social media, all while learning from industry professionals through guest speaker sessions. The academy offers both day and residential options, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.
From the Desk of Yocket
Journalism internships for high school students provide hands-on experience that can’t be replicated in a classroom setting. You get to see the inner workings of a news organization, from brainstorming story ideas to conducting interviews and writing articles. This exposure builds foundational skills in research, writing, and communication and also helps you understand the ethics and realities of journalism in today’s world.
Beyond the technical skills, journalism internships allow you to explore your interests, discover talents, and build the confidence needed to pursue a career in journalism. Interacting with professional journalists provides mentorship and guidance. It helps you understand the exciting yet challenging world of news. Journalism internships for high school students are a win-win. They provide work experience for aspiring journalists while infusing newsrooms with fresh perspectives and youthful enthusiasm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I do in a journalism internship?
Depending on the journalism internship, you might conduct interviews, research stories, write articles, assist with social media, or even help with photography or videography.
What skills will I gain from a journalism internship?
Internships are a great way to develop your writing, research, and interviewing skills. You’ll also gain exposure to the daily operations of a news organization and learn professional skills.
How can I prepare for a journalism internship?
You may start by sharpening your writing skills, taking journalism or media classes, and joining your school newspaper or yearbook. You should be ready to show your passion for storytelling and current events.