Journalism Intern

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.

This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

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School of Communication

Time Type:

Part time

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Summary:

Current seeks an advanced undergraduate or graduate student in journalism to research and report on issues affecting public media in the United States. Successful candidates will have strong writing skills; an interest in thinking analytically about media and how it is funded, created and distributed; and the ability to collaborate on various aspects of news reporting and publishing. 

Current is an independent news service covering public media, including NPR, PBS and stations. We operate a website and publish a quarterly print publication. Our student reporters research, report and write their own stories with support from Current’s editors and staff reporters. Many have gone on to successful internships and professional jobs at other news organizations. 

Essential Functions:

• Research, report and write original coverage.
• Gather information and multiple perspectives for news reporting through interviews, analysis, reading, observation and events.
• Check facts, spellings, numbers and assumptions to confirm details of news events.
• Produce timely and valuable material for digital coverage and report on developing stories.
• Revise work in progress and collaborate with editors in preparing coverage for online publication.
• Advise editors on art direction by collecting photos, artwork and graphics and identifying opportunities for presenting data and multimedia elements.  
• Work with Current staff on production, planning and discussion.
• Develop and pitch story ideas. Produce social media posts sharing links to Current’s news articles, adhering to Current’s editorial practices.
• Collaborate with digital editor and managing editor in responding to reader reactions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Part-time.
• 20 hours per week.

Salary Range: 

• $18.40 - $25.00 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• As of spring 2027, a junior, senior or graduate student with a major in American University's School of Communications.
• Minimum overall 3.25 GPA.
• Graduate students must have completed their first semester of study to be considered for this position. 
• Experience reporting for advanced SOC journalism courses.
• Analytical, quantitative and writing skills.
• Interest in journalism, public media, the media business and/or public policy.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Web publishing skills and familiarity with WordPress are preferred; however, we provide training for these skills as needed.
• Experience reporting in-depth stories or analyses for student journalism organizations or for previous editorial internships.
• Familiarity with the WordPress content management system.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Dates and hours: Jan. 11 – May 7, 2026; 20 hours per week (exact dates and daily work schedule to be worked out with supervisor).
• This internship is eligible for recognition by the Dean's Internship program offered by American University's School of Communication. 
• Current operates as a virtual workplace. 
• To complete your application, upload your resume, three writing samples that best represent your work and a cover letter describing your qualifications and goals for the internship. Also provide contact information for three professors who we can contact as references.
• Contact Digital Editor Mike Janssen, [email protected] with any questions.

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

• Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [email protected].

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.