The 2019 data journalism interns at the University of Missouri. Photo: Anthony Jackson

The Dow Jones News Fund invites college juniors, seniors and graduate students to apply for paid summer 2021 internships in data journalism, digital media, business reporting and multiplatform editing. The application deadline is Nov. 16.*

The News Fund will select up to 80 college journalists for internships with news organizations across the country. Those selected will also benefit from week-long, pre-internship training, $1,500 scholarships, memberships to journalism groups and access to the DJNF alumni network for jobs and mentoring.

To be considered, students must apply by Nov. 16, and take a timed, online qualifying test. Due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, college faculty will not monitor tests this year but will still play an important role in promoting these opportunities to students.

Students can apply to any or all of the following programs:

  • Data Journalism: Those who love logic and numbers with an appetite for investigative journalism, are encouraged to apply for this program led by Investigative Reporters and Editors. The training covers how to make Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, learning computer-assisted reporting, analyzing and cleaning data in order to tell rich, often hidden, stories. Interns are placed at well-respected newspapers, digital publications and nonprofit news sites.
  • Digital Media: Interns will build their professional portfolios at newspapers, news websites or TV or radio stations. Pre-internship training equips interns to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem, including tips and tools for working with video, audio, data visualization, web analytics, social media and more.
  • Business Reporting: Strong reporters and writers with an eagerness to dive into an exciting beat should apply for the business reporting program. Interns spend a week drilling-down on finance, investing, labor issues and mergers and acquisitions before beginning work for daily newspapers, niche publications, newswires, industry publications and American City Business Journals newsweeklies.
  • Multiplatform Editing: Students who are passionate about accuracy, fact-checking, grammar and spelling should apply for the multiplatform editing program. During training, interns hone their visual design, headline writing and line editing skills; help publish high-quality print and digital products on deadline; and strengthen their news judgment before working for newspapers, digital publications and nonprofit news sites.

The News Fund is partnering with American City Business Journals for a seventh summer to recruit and train 10 business reporting interns. The goal is to identify students who already live or go to school in one of ACBJ’s 44 markets, to increase the potential for employment after the internship ends.

DJNF interns trained and worked remotely in 2020. The News Fund has not determined if the 2021 training programs and internships will be remote, in-person or a mix. We will consult with our media partners, residency directors and follow guidance of state and local authorities. If the pre-internship trainings are in-person the News Fund will pay for interns’ travel, housing and meals. Interns are responsible for their housing and transportation costs during their internships. Students who return to school or have federal loans will receive $1,500 college scholarships.

College juniors, seniors and graduates enrolled full-time on Nov. 16 are eligible to apply, including December graduates. U.S. students studying abroad and international students already in the U.S. with work visas are also eligible.

To apply, students should visit the programs page on the News Fund’s website. After applying, students will receive an email from HireVue with the link to the timed, online test to be completed within 72 hours. Students can prepare for the test by taking practice tests found here.

 

*This press release was updated to reflect the extended application deadline of Nov. 16.