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Internships

WETA offers a wide variety of internship opportunities designed to provide students and recent graduates with knowledge and practical experience in the field of public broadcasting.
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In addition to working in their assigned departments, interns are exposed to various aspects of public broadcasting through educational events such as lunches with managers, station tours, and opportunities to sit in on live broadcasts.

Internships typically last 10-12 weeks and are offered throughout the year to coincide with the typical academic calendar. Most interns work 15-20 hours/week during the school year and 20-40 hours/week during the summer. The approximate timeline is as follows:

Spring Session: January - April
Application deadline: November 15th

Summer Session: May - August
Application deadline: March 15th

Fall Session: September - December
Application deadline: July 1st

Applications are accepted until internship positions are filled, so please contact us if you have questions about availability.

To be eligible, interns must be currently enrolled in a college or university or have graduated within 12 months from the beginning of the internship. Interns may receive academic credit for their internship if approved and arranged by their educational institution.

WETA's internship program offers no compensation; however, assistance with transportation expenses may be offered based on availability of funds. Students are responsible for their own housing arrangements.

Available internships

Communications

Interns in the Communications department will provide support on a variety of projects that may include marketing, media, writing, event preparation and data compilation. They may also have the opportunity to assist at promotional events, conduct preliminary research for upcoming Ken Burns films, and/or distribute press information.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, Liberal Arts, or English. Excellent written and oral communication skills; creative personality with an interest in TV, radio, and/or public broadcasting; familiarity with web research and Microsoft Office.

Corporate Marketing

Interns in the Corporate Marketing department will experience the day-to-day activities within a leading marketing/sales department in a top-10 market and gain exposure to marketing strategies for interactive web, TV, FM, and print. Interns will assist the marketing staff with client communication, creation and/or revision of marketing materials, development of marketing strategies, and expansion of client relations.

Qualifications: Creative and positive personality, highly organized, and knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite (specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator).

Digital Media

With responsibility for WETA’s website and various other online projects, WETA’s Digital Media department publishes, markets, and manages a digital media service that supports TV broadcasting, Radio broadcasting, promotion, and fundraising components. Interns will participate in maintaining a web-based pubic media/book publishing project, assist in updating website content and distributing content to third party sites, promote new content through online marketing, and assist in creation of graphic files in Photoshop and Flash.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Graphic Design, Video Production, Web Development, Communications, English, Digital Media, or Journalism. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Experience with Photoshop, HTML, Flash, content management systems, blogging applications, and social networking and video sites. Experience with Final Cut Pro, shared task tools such as Highrise, and/or online marketing is desired but not required.

Learning Media

Interns in WETA’s Learning Media department will have the opportunity to contribute to five vibrant educational multimedia web services – AdLit.org, BrainLine.org, ColorinColorado.org, LDOnline.org, and ReadingRockets.org – while acquiring behind-the-scenes knowledge of video and audio production. Will assist in updating site content, digitize, tag, and upload audio & video, distribute content, promote new content through online marketing, and assist in creating graphic files using Photoshop and Flash.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Education, Web Development, or Digital Media. Excellent written and oral communication skills and experience and familiarity with online social networking and video sites. Experience with Photoshop, HTML, Flash, content management systems, and blogging applications. Experience with Final Cut Pro, AVID, shared task tools such as Highrise, and/or online marketing is desired but not required.

Learning Media: Brainline

BrainLine is a national multimedia project offering information and resources about preventing, treating, and living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). BrainLine includes an ambitious website, a series of webcasts, an electronic newsletter, and an extensive outreach campaign in partnership with national organizations concerned about TBI. Interns will participate in media projects for BrainLine.org, including draft copy writing and database entry, assisting in post-production of video pieces, and maintenance of BrainLine.org’s social networking presence.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Communications, Education, Media Arts, or Design. Interest in issues related to brain injuries. Excellent writing and editing skills, internet research ability, familiarity with social networking sites, video production knowledge, and experience with HTML and Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Final Cut Pro, Adobe Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and/or iMovie helpful.

Membership

The Membership department manages non-profit member benefits, giveaways, and fundraising. Interns will participate in researching other stations’ benefit programs, contact mid-level and sustainer contributors, and assist in creating a series of benefits for WETA members and developing and implementing marketing programs.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Marketing, Liberal Arts, or Writing. Proven ability to write and speak persuasively, excellent reading comprehension, web research skills, and knowledge of Microsoft Office.

National Programming

The National Programming department develops and produces series such as In Performance at the White House, Ken Burns programs, and many other interesting projects. Interns will assist with activities involved in project development and gain exposure to how projects evolve into public television programming.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Communications or Broadcasting. Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of public broadcasting a plus.

National Programming: Washington Week

Washington Week interns will gain hands-on experience working in the production of a live, national news program. They will have the opportunity to research various news stories and issues, participate in weekly editorial meetings, and assist in the control room during live broadcasts.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Communication, Political Science, or History and extensive knowledge and interest in national politics. Excellent oral and written communication skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office. Web production skills helpful.

WETA Television: Production & Creative Services

WETA’s Production and Creative Services department produces local television programs such as The WETA Guide, WETA All Access, and WETA Around Town. Interns will gain experience in program research and development, production scheduling, studio and location shooting, script-writing, and post-production techniques.

Qualifications: Preferred major in Communication or Broadcasting. Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office. Knowledge of television production techniques such as scriptwriting, editing, and shooting helpful.