The goal of WBUR is to provide its interns with a substantive, meaningful work experience so that each intern concludes the internship period with demonstrable skills in his/her area of interest, plus a knowledge of public radio, in general.

All of WBUR’s internship positions are unpaid. Each position varies, however, in terms of the total weekly commitment, the specific hours worked and the responsibilities involved.

Internship Dates (approximate)
Fall:  September 1 – December 31 (apply after July 1)
Spring:  January 1 – May 31 (apply after October 15)
Summer:  June 1 – August 31 (apply after January 1)

Start and end dates are flexible, depending on station needs and each intern’s availability.

Eligibility
Intern candidates must be a matriculated undergraduate or graduate student, or have earned a higher degree within twelve months of beginning the internship. Depending on the position, a degree or concentration in broadcast journalism is preferred, but not required. (Please note that WBUR does not accept high school students as interns.)

Course Credit
Students interested in receiving course credit must present the written consent of an adviser prior to beginning the internship.

How to Apply
• Read through the descriptions, below, of WBUR’s various internship positions and the time commitment involved.
• Visit wbur.org to familiarize yourself with WBUR’s online presence and overall efforts in the digital space.
• Send as attachments to the appropriate department/program: 1) a current resumé, and 2) a brief cover letter, describing the skills you believe you will contribute to the position in question and the experience you hope to gain.
• Writing and audio samples (not required) may be sent as attachments/URLs.

After You Apply
• If WBUR is interested in interviewing you for an internship, a staff member from the relevant program or department will contact you directly.
• Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

Answers to FAQs
• You may apply to no more than 2 different internships per semester.
• Individual cover letters and resumés should be sent to each program/department you wish to apply to.
• Questions related to specific positions should be directed via email to the relevant department/program.
• Due to the number of applicants, WBUR will notify only those individuals selected for internships. Please check this page, or each program’s individual website, for internship updates as appropriate.
• Applicants who are not initially selected for internships may apply the following semester.

Thank you for your interest! We look forward to hearing from you.

WBUR INTERNSHIP POSITIONS

NEWS

1. Newscast Unit
Overview: Interns in the Newscast unit work as part of the team that produces the news bulletins delivered live on the hour and/or half-hour by the on-air anchor. Interns work directly with the news producer and news writer on duty, receiving assignments from them. Stories are typically daily-oriented.

Skills: Newscast candidates should be interested in news and current events and in radio as a medium. Strong research skills, computer literacy, and knowledge of WBUR programming are preferred. A journalism major is also preferred but not required. Quick grasp of the facts, resourcefulness, strong writing, and the ability to work under deadline pressure are important skills, also the ability to work in collaboration with a news team. Interns must be able to focus quickly on tasks and communicate effectively with colleagues, as well as with interviewees and research sources.

Responsibilities:
– news gathering: monitor news wires (Associated Press), research stories
– write & update leads, readers, and cut/scripts
– track down interviewees, source/contact details
– submit interview requests
– record short interviews, usually by phone
– select and edit sound bites for cut/scripts
– vault sound for broadcast
– record in field (e.g. press conference)
– assist with reporter field debriefs (usually only for breaking stories)
– regularly check fax machine and email (for press releases, advisories)
– offer story ideas and regularly check with writer and producer regarding assignments
– maintain daily file (of press releases)
– update contact and source lists

Computer programs used:
– Fastedit (digital audio program)
– NewsBoss (newsroom automation system)
– Content Management System (“CMS” for wbur.org)

Time Commitment: 4-5 available internships; full shifts preferred but not required.
– Morning Edition: airs from 5-9am. Interns work from 7am-12noon.
– All Things Considered: airs from 4-6:30pm. Interns work from 9am-5pm.

Contact: newscast_internships@wbur.org

2. Newsroom Reporters’ Intern
Overview: Assists WBUR’s Newsroom reporters in preparing and producing long-form news reports and short breaking news stories. This is a higher-level internship than for Newscast, as it requires previous experience in a newsroom. (Newscast interns are welcome to apply after they have completed the Newscast internship.)

Responsibilities: The Reporters’ Intern will work directly with WBUR’s seven reporters and be overseen by one reporter. As requested by the reporters, s/he will conduct internet research, do in-field recording, accompany reporters in the field and generally learn about what a reporter does. The intern will also learn some web skills. This position offers less opportunity for writing the news than a Newscast Unit internship, but the intern will learn how to do some writing for broadcast.

Skills: Previous experience in news writing and news gathering — in radio or print — a must. Knowledge of audio editing helpful. Strong research skills; fast-thinking, strong initiative, helpful attitude, good multi-tasker. Web experience a plus.

Time Commitment: One available internship
2-3 days a week; best days M, Tu and Wed, but could be flexible. 9-5pm.

Contact: newsroom_internships@wbur.org

PROGRAMMING

1. “Here & Now”
Overview: Here & Now invites anyone interested in exploring a career in radio journalism to apply to intern three days per week on the show. Interns will be exposed to the production of a daily midday news magazine program and will learn about the technical and editorial skills needed to be a news radio producer. H&N seeks a full day’s commitment from each intern. This allows all interns to follow through from pitching a story to producing an interview to cutting it for air.

Responsibilities: Interns should expect to participate in story meetings, generate ideas, research topics, prepare briefs for the show’s host and producers, book guests, write scripts, record interviews, edit interviews for broadcast, and help organize the daily broadcast. They should have a strong interest in news and journalism. Experience with radio techniques (i.e., microphone recording and audio editing) is preferred, but not necessary. Some administrative duties will also be required.

Time Commitment: Interns are asked to work three consecutive days per week, starting at 8 a.m. They will be required to commit to being at the station until at least 1:30 on the days they intern. It is strongly suggested that they try to work full days (until 4:30 p.m.) as this will insure they get the most out of their internship experience.

2-3 available internships:
MTuW or WThF, 8:00am – 4:30pm (interns work 3 consecutive days, with an overlap on Wed.)

Contact: hereandnow_internships@wbur.org

2. “On Point”
Overview: This internship provides students with an interest in journalism and current affairs the opportunity of contributing to the production of WBUR and NPR’s nationally-syndicated live call-in program On Point, broadcast daily from WBUR’s Boston studios.

Responsibilities: Interns will support the “On Point” host, producers and staff in a variety of ways, including researching show topics, preparing briefs, booking interviews, running script, answering phone lines and faxing. Production work possible.

Skills: Candidates should be focused, unflappable, highly detailed-oriented and have excellent writing skills. Strong communication skills also required. Previous news room and editing experience a plus, as are previous publications.

Time Commitment: Two available internships
Graduate student: MTu or TuW, 9-4pm
Undergraduate student: Thursday 10:00 – 5:30pm, plus Friday, 7:30-3pm

Contact: onpoint_internships@wbur.org

3. “Only A Game”
Overview: This internship provides the opportunity of helping to produce WBUR and NPR’s Only A Game sports program.

Responsibilities: Interns assist OAG staff with producing the show’s weekly content on-line and in podcasts. The primary responsibility is therefore content management.

Skills: Candidates should be strong writers, and an interest in sports is a plus. A technical background is not required.

Time Commitment: One (1) available internship.
5-7 hours per week, including 3-4 hours each Friday and 2-3 hours on Wed. or Thurs.

Contact: oag_internships@wbur.org

4. “Radio Boston”

Overview: Radio Boston is WBUR’s live, daily news program devoted to issues of significance in the Boston area and beyond.

Responsibilities: Interns will primarily conduct research for Radio Boston’s on-air hosts; help identify and book guests for the show; occasionally do recordings of events in the field and man-on-the-street interviews; log tape gathered in the field; edit tape; help write scripts and questions; and help with script management and guest managing during the show.

Time Commitment: 2-3 available internships.
Approximately 20 hours per a week, with flexibility as to which days, M-F.

Contact: radioboston_internships@wbur.org

THE WEB

1. wbur.org
Overview: Interns serve as a crucial link between WBUR’s Newsroom and content published on wbur.org.

Responsibilities: Uploads Web components, audio links and photos for recently-aired segments. Conducts research for the Newsroom staff. Records sound.

Skills: Some experience with HTML and an interest in working on the Web required. Serious technical skills not required.

Time Commitment: Two (2) available internships
7am-12pm or 3pm-8pm, MWF or TuTh

Contact: wbur.org_internships@wbur.org

2. Healthcare Savvy
Overview: Healthcare Savvy is a new social network for patients living in Massachusetts. The goal is to build a community of patients who take cost and quality into account when they decide where to go for care.

Skills: an intern will need a strong back in social networks and various digital platforms (WordPress, Scribd, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) Some experience with video and photo editing is a plus.

Responsibilities: an intern will help manage the site, write posts and build tools that will enhance the value of the site for users.

Time Commitment: 10 hours a week for a period of three months. An intern has the option of working from home for some of these hours.

Contact: healthcaresaavy_internships@wbur.org

3. Public Radio Kitchen
Overview: Public Radio Kitchen is WBUR’s food news and culture website. We post daily news and information about ideas, events, trends, innovations and skills related to the food world, particularly in and around Boston. We seek mature, flexible, dedicated interns to write, research and innovate with us.

Responsibilities: PRK interns will have the opportunity to generate and publish original blog entries; conduct interviews and record sound/video in the field; produce multimedia posts; help organize MeetUps/EatUps; help produce on-air segments; and help strengthen PRK’s web presence through Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites.

Skills: Must be organized, an independent worker, a creative thinker, a strong writer and able to meet deadlines. Experience blogging and Tweeting, plus familiarity with WordPress and Sound Slides ideal.

Time Commitment: 3 available internships
2-3 days/week, 10-12 hours total.

Contact: prk@wbur.org

More:

• For a listing of paid employment opportunities at WBUR, please consult Boston University’s website.
• WBUR is committed to seeking qualified candidates for all job openings and to offer equal opportunity to all persons without regard to race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability or national origin.