Are you a high school student interested in journalism? If yes, a summer internship can be one of the most practical and beneficial ways to learn how the field works. These internships place you in newsrooms, media organizations, or training programs where you can write stories, research leads, and work with editors. You get to see how reporting happens on deadlines and how stories are shaped from idea to publication.
Summer journalism internships are usually short and focused, often lasting a few weeks. You might work on writing assignments, help with fact-checking, or assist with interviews and production. Some programs also include sessions on editing, ethics, and multimedia reporting, giving you a full look at what journalism involves.
Doing an internship in high school helps you test if journalism is something you want to pursue later. It also helps you build a small portfolio of published work and learn how professional writing and research are done. These experiences can strengthen your college applications and show your interest in communication and media.
To make your search easier, here’s a list of 13 summer journalism internships for high school students!
13 Summer Journalism Internships for High School Students
1. L.A. Times High School Insider Internship
Location: Los Angeles Times, El Segundo, CA (hybrid position)
Stipend: $16.90/hour
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: February 26
Eligibility: High school students in Los Angeles or Orange County who can legally work in the U.S. and commute to the El Segundo office
The L.A. Times High School Insider Internship places you inside a professional newsroom for six weeks, where you will spend 24 hours each week reporting, writing, and producing multimedia stories. Under the guidance of journalists, you will learn how to pitch ideas, cover local news, and develop pieces on education, culture, and the arts. The hybrid schedule includes three in-person days at the El Segundo office and one remote work day, giving you exposure to both on-the-ground and digital reporting. You will also participate in newsroom training sessions and receive one-on-one editorial feedback.
2. Project Write Now (PWN) Teen Internship
Location: Red Bank, NJ, with some virtual participation
Cost: $75 fee for most workshops or Free
Dates: Varies; typically in June
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; applications open in February
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15–18
The Project Write Now Teen Internship offers students the chance to grow as both a writer and a leader through practical, hands-on editorial roles. You can serve as an editorial assistant, joining editorial meetings, producing original blog or website content, and supporting the behind-the-scenes work that makes a publication run. Alternatively, you can dive into the Interview Project, where you will learn how to prepare, conduct, and shape interviews into compelling narratives. Both paths are designed to offer you practical exposure to writing, collaboration, and storytelling, with opportunities to see your work published and make a real impact in a creative community.
3. Pasquines Writing Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Dates: Various opportunities throughout the year; dates not specified
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Pasquines Writing Internship is designed to introduce students and young professionals to journalism with a focus on covering public policy stories and issues related to U.S. territories. As an intern, you will research, pitch, and publish articles while exploring the editorial process through collaboration with experienced writers and editors. The internship is designed to be flexible and self-paced, making it easier to balance alongside your schoolwork or extracurriculars. In addition to refining your reporting and writing skills, you may also have the chance to earn academic credit depending on your school’s requirements.
4. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Location: Hybrid—virtual + in person at Princeton University campus, Princeton, NJ
Cost: No participation fee + housing, travel, and meals covered for the in-person component
Dates: Online classes begin mid-July + 10-day residential session: late July – early August + year-long commitment
Application deadline: February; applications open in December
Eligibility: High-achieving high school juniors from low-income families with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and a strong interest in journalism
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a hands-on program that chooses 40 students each year to take part in a free, year-long program that begins with a summer session at Princeton University. You will gain practical journalism exposure while you engage in workshops, lectures, and reporting assignments led by Princeton faculty and professional journalists. You will undergo training in interviewing, news writing, and feature reporting, while exploring topics such as politics, race, social issues, and the environment. Mentors from leading outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post guide you in refining your voice and strengthening your reporting.
5. Young Eager Writers Internship Program
Location: Virtual or in-person opportunities; location not specified
Cost: Free
Dates: Flexible
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to all
The Young Eager Writers Internship Program offers high school and college students a chance to build core journalism skills through hands-on editorial work. As an intern, you help edit manuscripts, draft blog posts, and support the publishing process for teen authors. These tasks mirror the responsibilities of entry-level journalists, especially in digital media and youth-focused publications. You learn how to shape stories, refine language, and maintain editorial standards, skills essential for journalism. You also receive mentorship from professionals, including the founder of Young Eager Writers, which helps you understand how publishing decisions are made and how editorial teams collaborate.
6. AAJA (Asian American Journalists Association) JCamp
Location: Various U.S. sites
Cost/Stipend: None (all expenses covered: airfare, lodging, meals)
Dates: Six days in the summer; dates vary each year
Application deadline: January 31 (varies each year)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (from any background)
Asian American Journalists Association’s (AAJA) JCamp is a national journalism training camp that brings together diverse high school students for a six-day learning experience. As a participant, you will learn from veteran journalists and media executives while developing skills across reporting, writing, photography, broadcasting, and online media. While not a typical internship, the free program offers internship-like practical exposure to journalism. During the week, you will participate in interactive workshops, field reporting exercises, and team-based journalism projects, producing multiplatform news packages for JCamp Live. The curriculum focuses on cross-cultural communication, leadership, journalism ethics, and networking.
7. NorCal Public Media Internship
Location: Northern California Public Media, Rohnert Park, CA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Vary; spring, summer, and fall internships available
Application deadline: Rolling recruitment
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school or accredited higher education institutions or universities, and recent graduates
NorCal Public Media Internships allow students to explore careers in news and journalism and digital media with an environmental focus. As an intern, you will work within the assigned department on creating media projects that will be launched on digital platforms and presented for broadcast on radio and TV channels. Opportunities are available in various departments, including the news department and the environmental reporting unit. Your tasks can vary by role, but you will typically work on researching stories, contacting and interviewing sources, field recording projects, covering events, recording and editing audio, and identifying and compiling resources for web reports.
8. Dow Jones News Fund High School Summer Journalism Workshops
Location: Varies (hosted by partner universities and organizations across the U.S.)
Cost: Free; funded by the Dow Jones News Fund and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (includes training, materials, and often housing/meals)
Dates: Varies by location
Application deadline: Varies by workshop
Eligibility: High school students
The Dow Jones News Fund Summer Journalism Workshops are free programs for high school students interested in media and reporting. You learn how to write clear, engaging stories, improve your interviewing skills, and create multimedia content like photos and videos. The workshops focus on health and wellness reporting and are funded in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. You take part in newsroom activities and get the chance to publish your work in digital and print outlets, helping you build a portfolio. The program also covers journalism ethics, teamwork, and communication. While not an internship, it offers many of the same hands-on experiences and helps you explore journalism in a real-world setting.
9. Library of Congress High School Summer Internship
Location: Virtual or in person at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 23 – July 17
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older and U.S. citizens/permanent residents/visa holders
The Library of Congress High School Summer Internship is a free program for students age 16 and older who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or visa holders. It can be attended virtually or in person in Washington, D.C. As an intern, you work with Library staff and other students to help shape a new experiential learning space. You contribute ideas, develop content, and advise on programming and materials that support future youth engagement. You also build skills in writing, research, communication, and civic engagement.
10. CondéFuture
Location: Condé Nast offices at One World Trade Center, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid once every four months
Dates: Two-year program: October of the first year – June of the third year; participants meet on Wednesdays from October to June each year.
Application deadline: Early September
Eligibility: High school juniors who live in NYC
Condé Nast’s CondéFuture is a two-year media career program for students interested in creative industries. You learn about roles in photography, video, social media, fashion, and design while working on creative projects that build your skills and portfolio. You also explore feature writing, a key part of journalism. You meet professionals in the field, take part in summer work opportunities, and may get the chance to travel to Los Angeles. The program helps you build a digital media portfolio and improve your production and presentation skills.
11. City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth (CLARIFY)
Location: Virtual or in person in Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000 for summer interns; $500 for fall interns
Dates: TBA; six weeks in the summer; two weeks in the fall
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who attend public or charter schools in NYC
City Limits, an NYC-based nonprofit investigative news agency, offers a paid opportunity for high school students to engage in public service journalism through the CLARIFY internship program. As an intern, you will gain exposure to research, interviewing, investigative techniques, media ethics, photojournalism, reporting, and building story structure. You will work with City Limits journalists to cover local news stories that will be published online. In the process, you will get to refine your problem-solving skills, critical thinking, research writing, and communication. You will also gain insights into civic engagement.
12. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and the University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Free + travel, housing, meals, and books covered; need-based additional financial aid available
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a free six-week program where high school students take college-level classes in topics like Black Studies or Anti-Oppressive Studies. You learn how to think deeply about social issues, write clearly, and speak confidently. You also help plan community service projects and work with other students to make group decisions. Even though it’s not a journalism internship, it helps you build the same skills journalists need, like writing, research, teamwork, and understanding the world around you.
13. EnergyMag Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Dates: Flexible; two- to eight-week half-time positions available in the summer
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: High school students with at least one honors science or honors English class and a GPA of 3.25+
The EnergyMag Journalism Internship can help you explore your interests in science and writing as you explore the urgent issues of renewable energy, climate change, and clean technology. As an intern, you will research and report on real-world topics, focusing on a company, technology, or topic related to energy storage, for the EnergyMag platform, working directly with mentors who provide feedback on your writing. In the process, you will learn how to break down complex environmental and policy issues for a wider audience while sharpening research and communication skills.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in an area of your choice, you can consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Project Write Now (PWN) Teen