Category: Internships

Sponsored by The Fund for American Studies, and in partnership with George Mason University, the Institute on Political Journalism (IPJ) is an eight-week summer academic internship program that offers undergraduate students a first-hand look at the journalism and communications in our nation’s capital through:

• An internship placement in journalism or strategic communications
• Courses for credit in economics and government
• Exclusive lectures, briefings and professional development seminars
• Housing in the heart of Washington, D.C.

Our goal is to provide students with hands-on experience in reporting, editing, interviewing and navigating the media landscape in Washington. For public relations students, our goal is to put them front and center with companies and organizations that provide a variety of services for their clients: crisis management, media promotion, advocacy campaigns, legislative and federal outreach. As you know, today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. Building on what you have taught them in the classroom, we are committed to providing an educational experience that will prepare your students for successful careers in both media and strategic communications.

Students should apply by February 8 for priority admissions and scholarship consideration.

Please visit www.DCinternships.org/IPJ for detailed information on the program.

Institute on Political Journalism
Washington, DC
June 3 – July 28, 2017
www.DCinternships.org/IPJ

Priority Deadline for Scholarships: February 8
Final Deadline: March 16
**Scholarship Funding Available**

Will You Answer the Call?
Do you sit in class daydreaming about being a reporter for the White House press corps? Perhaps your dream is to be sitting in the press gallery in the U.S. Senate covering a Supreme Court nomination battle? Or is your dream to be at the table in a strategy session for a client who wants Congress and the public to take action on a particular issue? If you answered yes, we invite you to apply to the 2017 Institute on Political Journalism and be counted among the next generation of journalism and communications professionals.

Program Components:

• Journalism or PR Internship: Intern 30-35 hours a week at a media news outlet or a strategic communications firm. You’ll learn firsthand how to:
o Cover Congress & the federal government.
o Do “man on the street” interviews.
o Use social media to promote a public relations campaign.
o Research background information on an investigative series.
o Gather sound bites from a Congressional hearing.
o Pitch a client’s new book to media outlets around the country.
o Attend a press conference at a federal agency.
o Create content for a radio stations website.
o Interview a member of Congress
o Shadow a TV producer in the field.
o Pitch ideas for ways to increase your clients’ membership base.
o Write breaking news story about statements made at a White House press conference.

• Economics and Government Coursework: Combine theory and practice and take courses on economics, journalism, and government for 3 to 9 credit hours through George Mason University. Click here to view the course catalog.

• Exclusive Lectures and Site Briefings: Attend a briefing by a member of Congress on Capitol Hill. Visit the Newseum or take private tour of the National Press Club. Tour the Washington Post Headquarters or take a behind the scenes tour of the press operations in the U.S. Senate.

• Small Group Networking: Meet with seasoned reporters, TV producers, online editors, principles in major PR firms and learn about various career paths in journalism or strategic communications.

• Mentor Program: Connect with a practitioner in your field of interest who will serve as a professional mentor during and after the program. He or she will provide tips for living in Washington as well as career advice and networking contacts.

• Housing: Students will live in furnished apartments on campus at George Washington University in downtown Washington, DC and are matched with other program participants as roommates. The apartments are located steps from the White House, State Department and National Monuments, and provide easy access to the DC metro transportation system.

• Scholarships: More than 70% of students receive partial scholarship awards based on financial need and merit.

This Could be You:
“My internship not only gave me a glimpse into the radio world, but I was able to jump in head first and completely immerse myself in the inner workings of it. I was given the valuable opportunity to help produce a podcast, write radio broadcast stories, and use audio editing programs. I also received feedback from my supervisor that has helped me become a better reporter. I would have never learned these skills or been exposed to the behind-the-scenes of talk radio without my IPJ internship!” 
Gianni Windahl, Southern Methodist University
Intern, Radio America

“During my internship I covered briefings on Capitol Hill, interviewed Foreign Ministers from all over the globe and sat in the White House Press Briefing Room. The experience was incomparable to anything I had previously experienced!”
Erica Brosnan, Hofstra University
Intern, The Washington Times

Application Instructions:
Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline of March 14, but applicants are encouraged to apply for by the February 8 Priority Deadline for Scholarships in order to receive special consideration.

Application requirements include a topical essay, statement of purpose, resume, official transcript, letter of recommendation and $25 application fee. An application checklist is available here: http://www.dcinternships.org/wp-content/uploads/IPJ-App-Instructions.pdf

Please visit www.DCinternships.org/IPJ for more program details and to begin an application. Questions may be directed to Joe Starrs, Institute on Political Journalism Director, at IPJ@tfas.org or 202.986.0384.