15 Journalism Internships for High School Students
Journalism is a dynamic field that is constantly evolving, and high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism can benefit greatly from hands-on experience and exposure to the industry. There are a variety of internships and programs available to help high school students explore their interests and develop their skills in journalism, writing, and media!
In this blog post, we will highlight 15 journalism and writing internships for high school students, ranging from summer programs to mentorship opportunities, that provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience, make connections, and prepare for a future in journalism. Some of these programs include valuable writing workshops and competitions that can help improve your journalism skills!
15 Journalism and Writing Internships for High School Students
The New York Times NYC Summer Academy
The NYC Summer Academy is a pre-college program designed by the New York Times that provides high school students with the opportunity to explore the fields of journalism, media, and technology in the heart of New York City. The two-week program allows students to experience the energy and vibrancy of the city while attending workshops and seminars led by Times journalists and other industry professionals. Participants engage in hands-on activities such as reporting, writing, video production, and data visualization, and work on projects that reflect real-world challenges faced by news organizations today. They also visit newsrooms, attend cultural events, and interact with other students from around the world. The NYC Summer Academy is an immersive and transformative experience that helps students develop their skills, expand their horizons, and prepare for college and beyond.
Northwestern Medill Cherubs Program
The Northwestern Medill Cherubs high school program is a four-week summer journalism program for high school students hosted by the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University. The program is designed to provide students with an immersive experience in the field of journalism, including reporting, writing, editing, and multimedia production. Students work with experienced faculty and professionals in the industry to develop their skills and gain exposure to a variety of journalistic practices and platforms. They also attend workshops, lectures, and field trips, and have the opportunity to produce stories for publication in the Cherubs News website. The Medill Cherubs program is highly competitive, and seeks to recruit a diverse group of students who are passionate about journalism and committed to pursuing a career in the field.
https://www.medill.northwestern.edu/journalism/high-school-programs/
The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop is a two-week summer program for high school students interested in creative writing. The workshop provides students with a supportive and rigorous environment in which to develop their skills in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Students will work with professional writers, attend readings and lectures, and participate in writing workshops. The program takes place on the Kenyon College campus in Ohio. For students who may not be able to travel to Ohio during the summer, there are also online workshops for high school students.
The Washington Journalism and Media Conference
The Washington Journalism and Media Conference is a week-long program for high school students interested in journalism and media, hosted by George Mason University in Washington D.C. The conference brings together students from around the country to participate in workshops and seminars led by industry professionals and academic experts. Students will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of media platforms, from print to broadcast to digital, and to explore the role of journalism in a democratic society. They will also visit newsrooms, attend press briefings, and meet with journalists and media executives. The Washington Journalism and Media Conference aims to provide students with a comprehensive and engaging experience that will inspire them to pursue careers in journalism and media.
LA Times High School Insider
The Los Angeles Times offers high school students interested in journalism the ability to write for the LA Times via their High School Insider program. In the program, high school students work on writing assignments, receive feedback from editors, and have the opportunity to publish their work on the High School Insider website. To become a HS Insider, you have a few options, including a partnership with your school’s newspaper and journalism programs or submitting work independently.
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is one of the most prestigious art and writing competitions for middle and high school students grades 7-12. High school students can submit creative works across 28 different categories, including short stories, personal essays, poetry, and screenplays. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards recognize students both locally and nationally with awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships. National Medalists are eligible to win scholarships up to $12,500.
Boston University Creative Writing Program
BU Creative Writing is a 3-week intensive for rising juniors and seniors interested in writing and literature. Students will participate in writing workshops, craft discussions, and literary readings, and will have the opportunity to share their work with their peers. This Boston University Academic Immersion Program offers high school students the opportunity to explore a college-level curriculum and earn college credit while studying alongside other motivated and talented students.
https://www.bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/academic-immersion/creative-writing/
YoungArts
YoungArts discovers talented young artists, magnifies their potential, and dedicates resources to their future creative aspirations. High school students ages 15-18 are invited to apply to the discipline of their choice: Classical Music, Dance, Design Arts, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, and Writing. Winners will be invited to attend weeklong programs and workshops in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Finalists will be invited to National YoungArts Week and will be eligible for nomination as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, as well as financial awards of up to $10,000.
Columbia University Writing Academy
The Columbia Writing Academy is a dynamic two-week program tailored for those who seek to harness the power of writing to cultivate their unique voice and style. Through engaging workshops and tutorials, students will learn innovative writing techniques and acquire the skills and confidence to craft a compelling college admissions essay. In this course, students will explore each stage of the essay writing process, from brainstorming to drafting to revising, while receiving comprehensive feedback from the experienced teaching team to refine their writing skills.
https://precollege.sps.columbia.edu/highschool/columbia-pre-college-online-writing-academy
Columbia University Summer Journalism Workshop
Join the Columbia University Summer Journalism Workshop, hosted by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. This summer program for high school students gives students a deep-dive into the field of journalism, allowing students to practice and improve their skills and rethink publishing strategies. In-person and virtual options are available.
https://cspa.columbia.edu/conventions-and-workshops/summer-journalism-workshop
The Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival
The Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival is an annual event that celebrates the works of young and emerging playwrights. The competition is open to all high school students in the United States, and winners have the opportunity to see their plays performed by professional actors in a fully staged production. The Blank Theatre's mission is to provide a nurturing environment for young writers to develop their skills and talents while also promoting the importance of theatre in our culture. The festival has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, among others.
Georgetown Creative Writing Academy
The Creative Writing Academy at Georgetown University provides a platform for aspiring writers to transform their ideas, dreams, and stories into compelling written works. The program offers lectures by distinguished literary figures from the Washington D.C. area, dynamic courses led by Georgetown graduate student instructors, and productive feedback from peers. Participants engage in workshops and tutorials that generate and refine poetry, personal essays, and stories while experimenting with innovative forms in creative writing. The Academy also emphasizes the publishing and professionalization aspects of the industry, including exploring funding opportunities, job prospects, and publishing avenues.
https://summer.georgetown.edu/programs/SHS07/creative-writing-academy
Stanford Summer Humanities Institute
The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute is a residential program spanning three weeks, inviting rising high school juniors and seniors to engage in in-depth seminars led by Stanford professors to explore the core questions at the heart of the humanities. As part of the program, high school students have the opportunity to take classes from Stanford professors across the humanities, including writing workshops.
https://spcs.stanford.edu/programs/stanford-summer-humanities-institute
The Adroit Journal Prizes for Poetry and Prose
The Adroit Journal Prizes for Poetry and Prose are two separate annual writing competitions that recognize outstanding young writers in high school and college. The contests are organized by The Adroit Journal, a literary magazine that publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction by emerging writers. Participants are invited to submit their best work in either poetry or prose, and the winners receive a cash prize, publication in The Adroit Journal, and a mentorship from a noted writer in their genre. The Adroit Journal Prizes for Poetry and Prose are highly competitive and have become known for discovering and nurturing talented young writers. These contests provide a unique opportunity for young writers to gain recognition and exposure for their work, as well as to receive mentorship from established writers in their field.
The Bennington Young Writers Awards
Bennington College has an impressive history of literary alumni, including three U.S. poet laureates, twelve Pulitzer Prize winners, four MacArthur Geniuses, two of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, and countless of New York Times bestsellers. The Young Writers Awards were created to continue this legacy, promote writing excellence , and recognize talented high school writers. High school students in 9th-12th grades are encouraged to submit to poetry, fiction, and nonfiction categories.
One More Option: Inspirit AI
If you are interested in conducting your own research — and crafting your own research paper as a high school student — consider applying to the 1:1 Mentorship Program at Inspirit AI! Research experience is a great way to demonstrate and engage your passion for STEM and research writing, and our mentors – hailing from the world's top research institutions and tech companies – will walk you through an entire research project from start to end. Whether you are a coding novice or a virtuoso, our individualized mentorship program will help you develop an exceptional AI-focused research project. For more information, do not hesitate to contact Inspirit AI with questions.
