INTERNSHIP opportunites
The Iowa Newspaper Foundation is a strong proponent of recruiting younger people to the newspaper industry to ensure the health and vitality of the industry’s future. One of the many ways it does this is by assisting newspapers with finding and supporting interns and assisting students with finding internships.
Click the link to the right to browse available internships. If you would like to be contacted by a newspaper, post your contact information by clicking the Interested Interns button.
If you have questions or would like more information, contact Jana Shepherd, INF Program Director at 515-422-9051 or jshepherd@inanews.com.
newspaper Matching Funds Program
The following newspapers were selected to receive $1,000 in matching funds to employ an intern for the Summer of 2024:
- Algona Kossuth County Advance
- Estherville News
- Fort Dodge Messenger
- Harlan Newspapers
- Humboldt Independent
- Ottumwa Courier
- Spencer Daily Reporter
In 2014, INF introduced a program that enhances internship opportunities for INA member newspapers. Through this program, newspapers receive financial assistance to employ interns with eight weeks of real-world experience in the newspaper industry. The program funded three internships in 2014 and has grown to eight. This program is a key facet of the INF’s next-generation programming—cultivating the newspapers and journalists of tomorrow.
Participating newspapers will be chosen through an application process reviewed by an INF member committee. Host newspapers will have the opportunity to interview and select their own intern, and INF will provide matching funds of $1,000 to each of the eight selected newspapers.
Selected newspapers will offer an internship that provides a well-rounded experience in the newspaper industry and will be asked to submit a follow-up report to the INF summarizing the student’s responsibilities and takeaways during the internship. The INF will provide necessary materials for an exit interview to be conducted with the student.
Through the program, interns will…
- Work a minimum of 30 hours per week for eight weeks
- Paid at least minimum wage
- Have the opportunity to experience the newspaper industry first-hand
If your newspaper would like to be considered for the 2024 Iowa Newspaper Foundation Internship Matching Funds Program, please complete the application form and return to Jana Shepherd, INF Program Director, no later than November 1, 2023. You can email the form to Jana at jshepherd@inanews.com.
Molly Longman served an internship at the Shenandoah Valley News in the summer of 2014 as part of the INF's Internship Matching Funds program. Here's what Molly had to say about her internship experience:
Working as an intern at The Valley News this summer was an amazing experience. I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to cultivate my writing, interview, and research skills. I was able to work with and learn from fantastic mentors and great people. I feel that I'm a better journalist for working for this great publication.