Intern, Radio Reporter

Position Information:

Start Date: January 8, 2024 - March 29, 2024
Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: St. Paul, MN
Compensation: $18.00/hour

Intern, Radio Reporter:

As a reporting intern, you will be an important part of MPR News. You will help our regional newsroom identify how to deliver journalism to a younger audience in different ways, using audio, as well other formats. This will help us grow new audiences, which is a key strategic goal for the company.

Key Learning Goals:

Learn how to rapidly respond to news and develop brief radio stories on a tight timeline.
Work directly with editors on at least one longer-term project and in collaboration with the digital production staff.
Work alongside reporters and editors to enhance this intern's overall journalism prowess.

Responsibilities:

Research, report and write news stories as assigned.
Conduct interviews using radio recording equipment that we provide, and by phone or Zoom.
Edit audio, record narration, mix stories ranging from 1 to 4 minutes in length.
Learn to pitch stories that fit, but also may stretch, MPR News’ formats.
Write stories for MPRNews.org.
Commitment to learn and enact best journalism practices.
Work a regular weekend day shift, either Saturday or Sunday, and some evenings as assigned.

Benefits:

Partial subsidy for onsite parking or public transportation.
Eligible to accrue sick time off.
Eligible for health insurance as required under the ACA.

Programming:

Participate in robust on-boarding experience.
Professional development: on-the-job training, workforce readiness training, formal performance review feedback sessions, etc.
Participate in brown bag sessions to gain broader perspective of the organization.

Required Qualifications:

Seniors OR recent graduate (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) of no more than 1 year from a community or college/university program
Coursework must demonstrate an emphasis in writing, communications, or English
Previous experience or coursework in news writing
Awareness of current events

Preferred Qualifications:

Reliable news judgment
Ability to follow directions and work under tight deadlines
Self-motivated, resourceful, curious, creative and detail oriented
Audio editing familiarity (Audacity, Audition or Hindenburg, for example)

Next Step in the Application:

In addition to your skills and knowledge, we want to get to know you in the application process. Please include a cover letter (of no more than 1 page) with answers to the following:

What interests you about this internship?
What professional skills would you like to add to your toolbox in the months and years to come to grow in your career field?

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Physical Demands:
Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time.
Required to move about in the community.
Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping.
Working Conditions:
Moderate noise level.
Occasional exposure to prevalent weather conditions.