High school students interested in journalism have more opportunities than ever to gain real-word experience before college. From insider looks into newsrooms at major publications to producing podcasts or reporting on local community issues, internships give students hands-on training in writing, reporting, editing, and marketing. 

Here are 5 journalism internships that will help you build your portfolioa, develop critical thinking, editorial judgment, and professional communication which are essential for a future in journalism.

1. HS Insider by the Los Angeles Times

Led by a previous intern turned special projects lead, students get an inside look at how the Los Angeles Times newsroom operates with HS Insider. Over 6 weeks, you’ll learn how stories are researched, written, and edited for publication by covering topics relevant to your community, pitching story ideas, and fact-checking sources. It’s a hybrid program, so you’ll get to experience the day-to-day workings of a professional news organization and remote work for a realistic view of modern journalism.

Beyond developing reporting skills, the program emphasizes critical thinking, editorial judgement, and professional communication. You’ll leave with a portfolio of work, practical knowledge of newsroom tools, and insights into potential career paths in journalism and media. Your work will even be published on the HS Insider blog under your byline, giving you real-world publishing experience and a tangible piece of work you can showcase to colleges or future employers.

Cost: Free, students will earn an hourly wage 

Location: El Segundo, Los Angeles County, California

Application Deadline: April 3

Program Dates: June 22 to August 1

Eligibility: High school students graduating in 2026, 2027, or 2028 who are residing in Los Angeles County or Orange County, California

2. Financial Times Work-Experience by Delta Institute

Delta Institute’s Financial Times Work-Experience Program offers high school students the opportunity to experience the fast-paced world of global journalism. Over 4 weeks, you’ll learn how to write in the distinctive style of the Financial Times, crafting strong headlines, sharp leads, and analytical articles. You’ll also develop skills that are rarely taught in school, like knowing how to decide which stories matter most, questioning and fact-checking sources carefully, and defending your editorial choices. 

Your skills will be put to the test as you collaborate on a group project that you’ll present to Financial Times representatives, which many alumni say was their favorite part of the program. Beyond the valuable hands-on experience, you’ll walk away with a referral letter signed by the Financial Times as well as a Certificate of Completion.

Cost: $4,900

Location: Virtual 

Application Deadline: Varies depending on the company (you can check all upcoming deadlines here)

Program Dates: Varies depending on the company (you can check all upcoming deadlines here)

Eligibility: Open to high school students globally

3. NYC Reporting Internships by The Bell

The Bell’s NYC reporting internships give New York City public and charter high school students real, hands-on experience in audio journalism by training them to tell stories that matter in their own communities. You’ll learn how to develop strong story ideas, conduct interviews, record and edit audio, write scripts, and market finished pieces while producing content for student-led podcasts such as Miseducation and P.S. Weekly. 

You’ll receive credit on any stories you help develop, giving you valuable experience to showcase in your portfolio and on your resume. Since 2018, over 100 students have completed The Bell’s internships and produced over 120 stories on important issues like educational inequities and school policy. Many have gone on to study journalism in college and build careers at leading organizations such as The New York Times and PBS after the internship helped them build confidence in their writing and communication skills. 

Cost: Free, up to $1,000 stipend

Location: New York City, New York

Application Deadline: November (tentatively, based on previous years)

Program Dates: December to May (tentatively, based on previous years)

Eligibility: current NYC public or charter high school students

4. City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth (CLARIFY)

The CLARIFY internship by City Limits is a hands-on reporting program designed for New York City high school students who are interested in journalism and may not have access to other paid internships. Over the course of eight weeks during the summer or fall, you’ll learn how to research issues, interview sources, and write compelling stories that will be published on City Limits, giving you real bylines and experience. You’ll be paired with professional reporters and editors who will guide you through every step of the reporting process, offering feedback, mentorship, and insider insight into how a professional newsroom operates.  

Beyond teaching journalism fundamentals, the internship aims to deepen students’ understanding of the issues their local communities are facing by encouraging them to dig into topics like education, housing, and transportation. Previous interns have gone on to work for or get published by outlets like Rolling Stone and the Wall Street Journal, many citing the CLARIFY internship as the experience that helped them build confidence, develop their reporting skills, and launch their journalism careers. 

Cost: Free, up to a $2,000 stipend for completing the full internship

Location: New York City, New York

Application Deadline: April for the summer session and July for the fall session (tentatively, based on previous years)

Program Dates: July to August and October to November (tentatively, based on previous years)

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending a public or charter school in New York City

5. NYC Summer Academy by The School of The New York Times

The NYC Summer Academy by The School of The New York Times gives high school students the chance to spend 2 unforgettable weeks learning about journalism in the middle of The Big Apple, though it’s a pre-college program rather than a traditional internship. Explore topics you actually care about, whether that’s media, sports, fashion, business, law, or culture, under the guidance of experienced journalists, editors, and media professionals. Your instructors are working journalists, editors, and media professionals who will share what their job is actually like, from how stories are pitched to how tough editorial decisions are made.

Choose from a range of courses, like narrative writing, political reporting, visual storytelling 101, photojournalism, and how to be an editor. Classes are hands-on and discussion-based, so you’ll spend your days interviewing sources, workshopping drafts, visiting iconic New York City sites, and crafting real projects. If you enroll as a residential student, you’ll stay in dorm-style housing and eat in dining halls to get a real taste of college life.

Cost: $6,195 (day students) or $7,695 (residential students)

Location: New York City, New York

Application Deadline: March 13

Program Dates:

• Term 1: June 7 to 19

• Term 2: June 21 to July 3

• Term 3: July 5 to July 17

• Term 4: July 19 to July 31

Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 to 12 and graduating seniors who are 15 to 18 years old by the program start date