Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Editorial Intern

🎯 Role Definition

We are searching for a bright, ambitious, and creative Editorial Intern to join our dynamic content team. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of digital publishing and contribute directly to our publication's voice and success. The ideal candidate is a voracious reader, a talented writer, and has a meticulous eye for detail. You will support our editorial staff in producing high-quality, engaging content that resonates with our audience. This paid internship offers invaluable hands-on experience and mentorship, providing a solid foundation for a successful career in media, content marketing, or communications. If you're eager to learn, contribute your ideas, and see your work published, we encourage you to apply.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

University Student (Journalism, English, Communications, etc.)
Recent Graduate with a strong writing portfolio
Aspiring writer with experience in blogging or personal projects

Advancement To:

Editorial Assistant
Assistant Editor
Content Coordinator
Copywriter

Lateral Moves:

Social Media Coordinator
Marketing Assistant
Content Strategist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Actively participate in editorial planning meetings, contributing fresh ideas for articles, features, and content series.
Conduct in-depth research for articles and features, gathering information, statistics, and verifying sources to support our writers and editors.
Pitch, write, and edit original short-form content, including blog posts, social media updates, and website copy, under the guidance of senior staff.
Perform meticulous copyediting and proofreading on a variety of content to ensure it adheres to our style guide, is free of errors, and maintains a consistent brand voice.
Assist in the management of the editorial content calendar, helping to schedule posts, track deadlines, and ensure a steady flow of content.
Build and format articles within our Content Management System (CMS), including sourcing and optimizing images, embedding media, and ensuring proper layout.
Fact-check articles, op-eds, and other materials for factual accuracy, attribution, and sourcing integrity before publication.
Review and provide initial feedback on incoming submissions from freelance writers and contributors.
Transcribe interviews conducted by senior editors and staff writers, ensuring high accuracy for use in feature articles.
Support the creation and distribution of email newsletters, including content curation, light copywriting, and performance tracking.
Monitor digital media trends, competitor activities, and industry news to identify potential story ideas and content opportunities.
Assist with updating and maintaining evergreen content on the website to ensure it remains accurate, relevant, and optimized for SEO.
Source high-quality photos and multimedia assets for articles, ensuring all content is properly licensed and credited.

Secondary Functions

Collaborate with the social media team to brainstorm and create engaging promotional copy for published articles across various platforms.
Provide administrative support to the editorial team, which may include organizing digital files, managing correspondence, and scheduling meetings.
Assist in compiling and analyzing content performance reports to help the team understand audience engagement and content effectiveness.
Help maintain and update the internal editorial style guide and other process documentation to ensure team-wide consistency.
Tag and categorize digital content accurately to improve on-site search functionality and support SEO strategies.
Support senior editors in the developmental editing process by reading early drafts and providing constructive, high-level feedback.
Engage with our online community by monitoring comments and messages, responding where appropriate under team guidance.
Participate in content brainstorming sessions, bringing a unique perspective and contributing to the creative direction of future projects.
Assist in the preparation of materials for presentations and team-wide meetings, including slide decks and data summaries.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Exceptional command of the English language, including grammar, punctuation, and syntax.
Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and/or Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Familiarity with a major style guide, such as AP Style or The Chicago Manual of Style.
Basic understanding of Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, Contentful, or a similar platform.
Working knowledge of fundamental SEO principles and how they apply to content creation.
Experience using social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook) for professional or brand purposes.

Soft Skills

Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all tasks, from fact-checking to copyediting.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
A proactive and highly curious mindset, with a genuine passion for storytelling, media, and learning the ins and outs of digital publishing.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of articulating ideas clearly and professionally.
The ability to work both independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively within a team setting.
A receptive attitude toward constructive feedback and a desire for professional growth and skill development.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree completed.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Journalism
English
Communications
Creative Writing
Marketing
Liberal Arts

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0 - 1 year of relevant experience.

Preferred:

Previous internship experience in media, publishing, or marketing.
A portfolio of published or unpublished writing samples (e.g., blog posts, academic papers, articles for a school publication).
Experience working in a deadline-driven environment.