Arts & Culture Audio/Multimedia Reporting Intern

The Opportunity

We are looking for a tapped-in, community-minded and motivated Arts & Culture Audio/Multimedia Reporting Intern to join WBEZ’s Arts and Culture desk. 

We are seeking an eager, versatile reporter who can hit the ground running early in the day with limited direction and deliver well-sourced, thoughtful, short pieces of multimedia reporting (audio, written and/or short video for social), and the ability to nimbly translate their work for multiple platforms (social, radio or website). The ideal candidate is a resourceful journalist who can spot arts and culture trends and who embraces the opportunity to interview people about creativity and ideas. We’re looking for a candidate who likes to conduct interviews, who is connected to the pulse of the culture world, and who values accuracy and journalism ethics. 

A commitment to accuracy and ethical reporting defines the work we do at Chicago Public Media; as such, the successful candidate will have strong news judgment, writing, editing and production skills and work effectively under deadline. 

General Responsibilities

• Pitch, report, produce and/or write arts & culture stories at a daily pace on a wide range of topics with skill, accuracy, and insight.
• Contribute to social media and/or on air projects as needed on WBEZ. 
• Contribute to the arts and culture team’s social media output 
• Coordinate with our Digital Content Producer on editorial web initiatives.
• Represent WBEZ in public spaces (press events, panels, public events), when applicable.

Qualifications

• BA in journalism, communication, or journalism.
• Minimum 2-years’ newsroom (or culture website) work experience.
• Demonstrated passion for arts and culture and a deep understanding of the Chicago arts, culture and music scene (including visual arts and food).
• Ability to work collaboratively with editors, host/producers, and reporters across CPM in service of shared excellence. 
• Creative, practical audio reporting and editing skills and a proficiency for audio mixing.
• Experience with video reporting and video editing for short social posts
• Experience writing web copy, scripting and/or editing compelling podcasts or shows.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to cultivate strong relationships with colleagues and sources.
• Experience with new forms of storytelling powered by the social web and built for mobile web consumption.
• Comfortable with using social media to drive engagement and promote content.

 A bit about our internship programs:

• Many, but not all, of our interns have completed college or some other form of education and/or certification in the journalism or media field(s).
• Many go on to careers in public media or other outlets. Many have found their way back to WBEZ, too.
• We pay $20/hour, non-negotiable
• Positions are daytime work hours on a Monday through Friday schedule, though some flexibility may be possible

Interns work full time 40 hrs/week Program term is 12 weeks (June 9, 2025 - September 6, 2025) 

What we are looking for our candidates to display in their resumes, cover letters and interview conversations: 

• Knowledge about WBEZ and our mission of serving the community
• Strong interest in learning and contributing to our mission 
• Curiosity and the willingness to learn
• Understanding of the value of bringing together diverse perspectives
• Why WBEZ is part of your career planning in journalism and media
• Specific skills you want to learn during the internship 
• If applicable, any links to a portfolio of writing samples; audio, video, or multimedia packages; or other completed work that may be relevant to this opening

The application deadline is Friday, April 18, 2025. Managers plan to select candidates by early May. 

Accepted applicants will be required to start training in Chicago on June 9, 2025. Internship ends September 5, 2025. 

Salary : $20