The Washington Post

Each year, Washington Post Media companies provide internship opportunities to dozens of students who want to learn about the rapidly evolving media industry, build valuable relationships and find a future.

We see internships as the first step towards becoming one of our full-fledged employees. So this opportunity is more than a temporary job, it’s a potential career.

Many graduates of our internship programs have gone on to find permanent homes in the Washington Post Media offices. Some have even gone on to senior leadership roles at the newspaper and at the corporate level.

W hat do interns actually do?

Depending on the department and the project scope, interns may be assigned general departmental duties and given in-depth projects.

What else does the intern program offer?

Interns on the business side interact across departments in a number of ways outside their daily assignments. Interns attend an orientation on the first day and receive a tour of one of our printing plants during the first two weeks of the program. Interns participate in ‘Brown Bag’ lunches with guest speakers and developmental sessions which provide additional intern program experiences as well as an understanding of The Washington Post history and operations. Also, group projects designed specifically for our business interns promote teamwork and interdepartmental communication.

What is the length of the internship?

Generally, our internships begin the first full week in June. All internships are approximately 12 weeks and wrap up towards the end of August.

Which departments can I work in?

Although specific intern assignments vary from year to year, there are generally multiple slots available in the following departments: Accounting, Advertising, Circulation, Digital, Human Resources, Marketing, Production, Information Technology, and Community Relations. In your cover letter, you should be very specific about the departments in which you would like to work. Please specify your first and second choices.

If selected, will I be paid?

Yes, interns are paid on a sliding scale depending upon the number of college years completed. Generally, this is between $12 and $13 per hour.

If all intern program slots are full, can I do an unpaid internship?

No. It is the policy of The Washington Post to pay every single person who works for us. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Does The Post have internships at any other time during the year?

No. However, some interns return to temporary assignments during their winter and spring breaks.

Is The Post accessible by public transportation or will I need a car?

The Post’s downtown offices are a short walk from the Red, Orange and Blue lines on the Metro (subway). In addition, there are numerous bus routes with stops in the immediate area. Please keep in mind that The Post does not provide parking for interns.

Does The Post assist in finding housing for interns?

The Post’s Classified section and Apartment listings are the best place to look for area housing; craigslist.org is another good resource. While our intern coordinators are happy to provide some guidance, interns must ultimately make their own housing arrangements.

How are business interns selected?

Interns will be selected based upon personal interviews, related coursework, prior internships and work experience. Previous experience at a newspaper is not required. Our business-side intern program is very competitive with more than 500 resumes received for the 2011 summer program.

When are selections made?

After the March 7 application deadline, a select group of candidates will be contacted for interviews. Final selections are generally made in late April or early May.

Required Skills

Application Materials

You may submit your application materials through our website. Application materials should include:

Cover letter: include your dates of availability, at least your first and second choices of department assignments and why you chose these departments.

Resume: include all education information, work experience, previous volunteer and intern positions, awards or commendations, special skills, and computer competency.

Required Experience

Eligibility

You must be pursing an undergraduate degree, or have obtained one within the last six months from an accredited two or four college, at the time of the application.