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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for News Reporter Intern

💰 $15/hr - $25/hr

JournalismMediaInternshipReportingContent Creation

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a passionate, curious, and driven News Reporter Intern to join our dynamic newsroom team. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of modern journalism and contribute meaningfully to our coverage. As an intern, you will not just be observing; you will be an active participant in the news-gathering process. You will learn to identify newsworthy events, develop compelling story angles, conduct interviews, write clean copy on tight deadlines, and utilize multimedia tools to tell stories that resonate with our community. This role is designed for an aspiring journalist eager to develop foundational skills, build a professional portfolio, and understand the day-to-day operations of a digital-first news organization.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • University/College Journalism or Communications Programs
  • Student Newspaper, Radio, or TV Station Roles
  • Freelance Writing or Personal Blogging

Advancement To:

  • Staff Reporter / Associate Reporter
  • Digital Content Producer
  • Assignment Desk Editor

Lateral Moves:

  • Social Media Manager / Specialist
  • Content Marketing Writer
  • Public Relations Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Proactively pitch compelling, well-researched, and timely story ideas during daily editorial meetings, focusing on local news, community events, and human-interest pieces.
  • Research, write, and edit multiple news articles, features, and briefs per week for digital publication, ensuring strict adherence to AP style and internal editorial guidelines.
  • Identify, contact, and conduct interviews with a diverse range of sources, including public officials, experts, and community members, to gather accurate information and compelling quotes.
  • Diligently fact-check all data points, names, dates, official statements, and background information to maintain the highest standards of journalistic integrity and accuracy.
  • Cover assigned beats and live events, such as city council meetings, press conferences, and community festivals, providing real-time updates for social media and comprehensive follow-up reports.
  • Shadow and provide direct support to senior reporters and editors on in-depth investigative projects, assisting with research, transcription, and data organization.
  • Create and publish engaging content for the newsroom's social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to promote stories, drive traffic, and interact with our audience.
  • Capture high-quality photographs and basic video footage using professional or mobile equipment to visually enhance and accompany news stories.
  • Craft compelling, SEO-friendly headlines, subheadings, and meta descriptions to maximize online visibility, search ranking, and reader engagement.
  • Gain proficiency in using our content management system (CMS) to build and publish articles, photo galleries, and embedded multimedia content.
  • Continuously monitor competitor news outlets, social media trends, police scanners, and press releases to identify breaking news and potential story leads.
  • Produce clean, concise, and grammatically impeccable copy under tight, daily deadlines, demonstrating a strong command of narrative and structure.
  • Collaborate with the digital team to create comprehensive multimedia storytelling packages that may include text, photos, videos, and interactive graphics.
  • Provide real-time updates to developing and breaking news stories online as new information becomes available, ensuring both speed and precision.

Secondary Functions

  • Accurately transcribe audio and video interviews in a timely manner to support the reporting process for yourself and other members of the news team.
  • Assist the assignment editor or news desk with administrative tasks, including answering phones, monitoring news wires, and logging incoming story tips from the public.
  • Begin developing a network of reliable sources within a specific community or beat to generate exclusive story ideas and future insights.
  • Learn and assist in the process of filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and other public records requests to obtain crucial documents for reporting.
  • Participate actively in team brainstorming sessions for special projects, long-form series, and new coverage initiatives.
  • Rewrite and reformat news stories to be suitable for various platforms, including the main website, mobile app, email newsletters, and social media posts.
  • Assist in monitoring web analytics to understand audience behavior, identify high-performing content, and inform future editorial strategy.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • AP Style Proficiency: Strong knowledge and application of Associated Press style in all written work.
  • Digital Content Management: Experience with or ability to quickly learn Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress.
  • Interviewing & Research: Demonstrated ability to conduct interviews, gather information from diverse sources, and perform thorough research.
  • Social Media for News: Proficiency in using platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for news gathering and promotion.
  • Basic Multimedia: Competency in capturing clear photos and video on a smartphone or DSLR and performing basic editing.
  • SEO Fundamentals: Understanding of basic Search Engine Optimization principles for headlines and web content.
  • Fact-Checking: A meticulous approach to verifying information and ensuring accuracy before publication.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex topics clearly and concisely.
  • Inherent Curiosity: A natural desire to ask questions, investigate, and understand the "why" behind the story.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and handle constructive feedback gracefully.
  • Unwavering Ethics: A strong commitment to journalistic ethics, fairness, objectivity, and integrity.
  • Time Management: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and consistently meet deadlines.
  • Attention to Detail: A sharp eye for detail in writing, editing, and fact-checking.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Confidence and professionalism in building rapport with sources, colleagues, and the public.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university, or a recent graduate.

Preferred Education:

  • Actively pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Journalism
  • Communications
  • English
  • Political Science
  • Media Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-1 years.

Preferred:

  • Previous experience writing for a student or professional publication (newspaper, magazine, website).
  • A portfolio of published or unpublished writing samples (articles, blog posts) that showcase your reporting and writing skills.
  • Active and professionally maintained social media profiles demonstrating an interest in news and current events.
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