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National Association
of Black Journalists
Located at the
UNIVERSITY
OF MARYLAND
8701-A Adelphi Road
Adelphi, Md.
20783-1716
(301) 445-7100
(301) 445-7101 fax
nabj@nabj.org
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Internship
Program
Overview
The National Association of Black Journalists
(NABJ) is an association of 3,000 journalists, media professionals
and students. NABJ is dedicated to expanding job opportunities
for African American journalists and students, and improving the
media’s coverage of the African American community and experience.
NABJ annually awards summer internships to students committed
to journalism careers. Successful candidates are offered paid
print, broadcast or online positions at selected news organizations
around the country ranging from small black-owned weekly newspapers
to major market dailies and broadcast outlets.
What is the NABJ internship program?
NABJ provides internships to African American
journalism students. Students are placed in 10-week paid internships
with newspapers, television & radio stations and on-line news
services across the country. NABJ’s paid summer internships
give students hands-on reporting, editing, shooting and design
experience in professional settings. Because most journalism employers
will not give permanent jobs to graduates who lack prior internship
experience, it is essential that aspiring journalists obtain internships
in journalism. What kinds of journalism
internships are available
- Print Journalism (reporting, business reporting,
health reporting, copy editing, graphic design)
- Broadcast Journalism (radio and television)
- Online Journalism
- Sports Journalism multi-cultural program
sponsored by the Associated Press Sports Editors
- Photojournalism
Is
experience required?
Yes. To obtain NABJ print internships, students must have prior
experience at collegiate or professional media that allowed
them to write basic news stories for publication or to do basic
copy editing, graphic design or photojournalism in print, broadcast
or online media for publication. Most NABJ internships are at
print outlets, which include small weekly newspapers in small
cities as well as magazines and major newspapers in large urban
areas. Typically, NABJ internships at major magazines and newspapers
are for students with at least two semesters of extensive campus
print media experience and at least one prior print internship
involving reporting, editing, shooting or designing under tight
deadlines. Student’s chosen for our broadcast internships
typically have had prior broadcast internships and student broadcast
media experience.
Where are internships offered?
Interns have worked at news outlets such as Bloomberg News,
the Associated Press, The Seattle Times, The News & Observer
in Raleigh, N.C., CBS, National Public Radio, and the Atlanta
Journal Constitution. Fourteen students were selected for last
year’s program.
What
are the requirements for the internship program?
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Must be a student member
of NABJ.
-
Print and on-line applicants
must submit a minimum of six samples of published work focusing
on reporting or graphic design. Print photographers must submit
six mounted samples of published work.
-
Selected Broadcast interns
are required to attend the NABJ Broadcast Short Course.
-
Broadcast applicants must
send a resume tape (VHS or audio cassette). Begin your tape
with identifying information: name, academic year, college,
address, phone and e-mail. TV on-air applicants must submit
three to five stand-ups or anchor sequences and at least two
reporter packages. Tape should be no longer than 10 minutes.
-
TV off-air applicants
(producers, directors, broadcast photographers) must submit
at least two stories or an edited version of a newscast or
program produced, directed, shot, or edited by the applicant.
Tape should be no longer than 10 minutes. Broadcast photojournalists
should send a five-to-10-minute tape with three to five stories
shot by the applicant.
-
Radio applicants should
submit at least three on-air reports, stories, interviews
and/or newscasts or an edited version of a program written,
broadcast, directed or produced by the applicant. Tape should
be no longer than 10 minutes.
-
Sports journalism interns
are required to attend the annual convention of the Associated
Press Sports Editors (APSE) (transportation/hotel accommodations
included). This is a multi-cultural program. Please see page
4 for specific information regarding this internship.
How
can I maximize my chances of being selected?
To have the best chance of being selected, proofread your application
carefully and make sure that it thoroughly describes your journalism
skills and collegiate and professional journalism experience.
Submit your application on time; late applicants will be placed
only if there are unfilled internships after the on time applicants
have been placed.
How
much does the internship pay?
NABJ internships pay a weekly salary of $400 - $600 for 10 weeks.
Does
NABJ provide relocation assistance?
NO. Students are responsible for transportation to the internship
city, housing, and for their living expenses.
Will
I need a car?
It depends. Some companies require that students have cars to
cover stories throughout the city. But a lack of transportation
usually does not prevent an internship assignment.
I’ve
been offered several internship opportunities. Which one should
I choose?
While students are encouraged to apply for several internships,
once they accept an internship, their written or verbal acceptance
is considered binding. Therefore, before accepting any internship
offer, you should carefully assess the offer using the guidance
of professionals and educators. Then make a commitment.
Does
NABJ pay for interns to go to the annual convention?
NO. If an NABJ intern wants to go to the annual convention they
should apply for the Student
Development Program. NABJ will only pay for students chosen
for the program to attend the annual convention. Otherwise,
you will need to make your own arrangements to attend the annual
convention.
What
if I am not accepted for an internship?
The internship process is competitive. We recommend that applicants
also apply to other journalism internship programs. You can
obtain information about other internships by contacting the
American Society of Newspaper Editors in Washington, D.C. www.asne.org,
Dow Jones Newspaper Fund in Princeton, N.J. www.dowjones.org,
Chips Quinn Program in Arlington, VA, www.chipsquinn.org
or by directly contacting other media outlets and your college
career services office
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