Morning Edition & Weekend Edition Intern - Fall/Winter 2025

OVERVIEW

A thriving mission-driven multimedia organization NPR produces award-winning news information and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information creativity curiosity and social responsibility and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

Across our organization were building a workplace where collaboration is essential diverse voices are heard and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR.This means that integrity adherence to our ethical standards and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Program Duration: October 6th 2025 - April 17th 2026

INTERN WILL LEARN AND BE EXPOSED TO:

This internship will be divided into two phases: first at Morning Edition NPRs weekday morning newsmagazine and then at Weekend Edition which broadcasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

From October through January the intern will be at Morning Edition where they will have the opportunity to learn the basics of radio production and editing as well as to see what is involved in taking a daily news program from concept to air each day. This will include pitching and researching day-of-air news and feature stories assisting in the production of individual stories preparing questions for host interviews suggesting ideas for segments working on digital story highlights and other tasks as may be assigned. In addition the intern may have the opportunity to work on a longer-term project such as a host trip or special coverage of an event or anniversary.

From January through April the intern will be at Weekend Edition where they will learn how to pitch and produce news stories for a weekend audience dive into feature interview production and take the lead in producing the signature Sunday Puzzle segment with Will Shortz. The intern will work directly with hosts Scott Simon and Ayesha Rascoe alongside our talented and collegial staff of producers and editors.

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPRs content including events.

Interns will have the opportunity to experience and support the teams work in the following areas:

• Pitching ideas for host interviews on news and feature topics
• Pitching news and feature stories for the program
• Assisting with the recording producing and editing of radio pieces
• Booking guests for the programs including doing phone pre-interviews
• Writing host copy and interview questions
• Writing digital interview highlights and stories
• Producing live and pre-recorded host interviews including managing recordings and editing audio
• All work performed by the intern is to be done under the close supervision of the host teams

A strong internship candidate for this role might have:

• Strong interest and familiarity with news politics government and current events
• Ability to own a task from concept to completion
• Willingness to learn and interest in honing journalism reporting producing and editing skills
• Excellent research skills and an eye for a new angle/perspective on the weeks major news stories
• The ability to find the right expert or first-person voice to illustrate a complicated news topic
• Journalism/news reporting or editing experience
• PREFERRED: audio production experience

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Resume
• Cover Letter

EDUCATION:

• Must be a current student in an accredited degree program or a recent graduate of no more than 12 months from the month of the start of the internship.

WORK LOCATION

• On-site: This is an on-site role based in Washington DC

JOB TYPE

• This is a temporary (28-week) full-time internship.

COMPENSATION

• Hourly Rate: The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $20.00 per hour. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum hourly rate NPR expects to provide for internships across all US locations.
• Benefits: NPR provides interns with multiple benefits and amenities. Interns receive immediate eligibility to contribute electively to a Principal 403(b) retirement plan and access to the Transit Flexible Spending Account for commuter benefits. Interns working out of DC HQ enjoy free access to on-site Cigna medical providers no cost fitness center access as well as bike facilities and garage parking available onsite. Interns can access the Employee Assistance Program which provides confidential counseling services as well as Business Travel Accident coverage and Global Guardian membership and they also qualify for Signal Financial Federal Credit Union membership. NPR interns who work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for holiday pay. This includes pay for the companys 10 observed holidays plus one floating holiday per year. Interns automatically earn 3.08 hours of sick leave each pay period without any waiting time restrictions and can utilize paid administrative leave as necessary. Interns have access to professional development opportunities and can benefit from flexible work hours and telecommuting options.

SCHEDULE

Please note that the work schedule for this internship will vary and include swing overnight and weekend shifts across both phases of the internship.

• At Morning Edition: 40 hours per week on a schedule that rotates through the shows production shifts across all day parts to gain exposure to all aspects of show production.
• At Weekend Edition 40 hours per week Wednesday-Friday. 9am-6pm Wednesday Thursday & Friday; and 6am-2pm Saturday & Sunday.

Applications close on Monday June 30th at 11:59 pm ET.

Does this sound like you If so we want to hear from you.

CLOSING COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS

Want more NPR Explore the stories behind the stories on our NPR Extra blog. Get social with NPR Extra on Facebook and Instagram. Find more career opportunities at range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.