Internship – Digital Media, Local History
Internship – Digital Media, Local History
Full time, non-exempt
Compensation: $15.00 per hour
Summer (May 15, 2023 – August 18, 2023)
Reports to: Director, Digital Projects
Application deadline: 3/31/23
Location: Remote
Description of Intern Work Responsibilities/Projects:
Local History interns work within WETA’s Digital Media team to develop content for Boundary Stones, WETA’s local history initiative. Through articles, photos, video and social media, Boundary Stones seeks to highlight the notable events, personalities and happenings that have shaped the Washington, D.C. area’s past. Interns’ responsibilities include:
- Brainstorm and pitch article/content ideas for the Boundary Stones website (https://boundarystones.weta.org/).
- Conduct historical research using primary and secondary sources.
- Write articles for the Boundary Stones website.
- Locate historical photos and videos and determine permissions for use.
- Create social media friendly Boundary Stones content such as quizzes.
- Help administer the @BoundaryStones Twitter account, promote Boundary Stones content on Twitter, respond to tweets and participate in larger conversations about local history.
- Update the Boundary Stones promotional calendar.
- Participate in weekly meetings with the larger Digital Media team.
Learning Objectives:
- Expand knowledge of Washington, D.C. area history including racial and class dynamics, notable events, neighborhood development, influential figures, etc.
- Grow critical thinking skills through thoughtful interrogation of historical sources.
- Sharpen writing skills, specifically non-academic, narrative-style prose suitable for a general audience.
- Develop a greater understanding of social media voice and techniques for managing a brand Twitter account.
- Become familiar with the world of public media.
Specific Skills Required:
- Excellent writing and research skills.
- Careful attention to detail.
- Interest in local history and community.
Preferred Major:
- History, English, Museum Studies, or Journalism
LOCATION
WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service.
VACCINATION POLICY
WETA and NewsHour Productions prioritizes the safety and security of our community. In accordance with our focus on providing and maintaining a safe workplace, we have adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees working in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office and employees who may reasonably or occasionally be called to work onsite, subject to business needs.
In accordance with this policy, all applicants for employment in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Requests for exemption from this policy based on a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief will be considered upon a conditional offer of employment. Reasonable accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
WETA and NewsHour Productions is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities, as applicable.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships. WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.