Opening Doors - Station Internship Program

These aren't just any interns. Opening Doors participants are:

• Carefully Selected: Chosen from a competitive national applicant pool
• Public Media immersed: Completed a comprehensive 2-day public media intensive before their internships
• Science Reporting Skilled: Received specialized science reporting training from SciLine
• Public Media Focused: Passionate about careers in public media journalism
• Mentorship Supported: Paired with professional mentors throughout the program
• Science/Tech/Economics Focused: Specifically interested in strengthening coverage in these critical areas

What They Bring to Your Station

• Fresh perspectives and diverse voices
• Enthusiasm for public media's mission
• Training in modern journalism skills and techniques
• Specific interest in science, technology, and economics reporting
• Commitment to producing high-quality content for your audience

Financial Support

• PMJA provides $6,500 to support the internship that your station administers through payroll
• Your station ensures living wage of at least $15/hour, making up any difference between the PMJA funding and this minimum wage requirement
• Your station covers employer portion of payroll taxes and includes the intern under your worker's compensation insurance
• Flexible hours for internships designed for up to 30 hours per week, recognizing actual hours may vary based on newsroom needs and student schedules

Professional Development

• Trained interns who arrive ready to contribute from day one
• Ongoing support with regular check-ins from PMJA program staff
• Skills training that your newsroom staff can join
• Community connection with other participating stations through a dedicated Slack channel for supervisors

Content Production

• Portfolio of stories focused on science, technology, and economics
• Enhanced coverage of topics critical to your community
• Fresh story ideas and approaches from emerging journalists
• Multi-platform content spanning digital, audio, and social media

Networking and Recognition

• PMJA community connection with other innovative stations
• National recognition for your commitment to diversity and mentorship
• Recruitment advantage in attracting diverse talent

Station Requirements

✅ Current PMJA membership (maintained throughout internship period)
✅ Commitment to 16-week internship (approximately 30 hours/16 weeks between September 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026)
✅ Dedicated supervision with regular mentorship and feedback
✅ Focus on science, technology, or economics reporting
✅ Payroll processing capability and commitment to living wage of at least $15/hour
✅ Welcoming, inclusive environment for emerging journalists

Ideal Partner Stations

• Newsrooms committed to inclusive practices and welcoming emerging journalists
• Stations with science/tech/economics coverage needs or growth opportunities
• Teams excited about mentorship and professional development
• Organizations ready to invest in the next generation of public media talent

Timeline

• July 17 - August 30 - Station applications accepted
• Rolling Review Begins: August 15, 2025 
• September - Station-student matching begins
• September 30 - Selected stations notified
• October 1 - July 31 - 16-week internship period (based on station-student agreement)
• August 31 - Final station reports due to PMJA

Application Process

1. Submit application detailing your station's capacity and plans
2. Demonstrate commitment to local science, technology, or economics reporting
3. Outline supervision structure and mentorship approach
4. Describe housing support (especially important for locations outside major metropolitan areas)

Student Matching

• Students have expressed preferences for these locations and their surrounding areas including:

• Stations outside these preferred areas are welcome to apply but must provide a comprehensive housing assistance plan demonstrating how they will help interns secure safe, affordable housing.
• Final matches consider subject matter alignment, geographic preferences, and mutual fit

Station Support

• Virtual orientation for all participating stations
• Regular check-ins with PMJA program staff
• Opportunity for resource sharing and best practices from other stations
• Skills training opportunities for your newsroom staff

What PMJA Provides

• Station stipend covering majority of 16-week intern salary ($6,500 per intern)
• Student travel/relocation support for students moving for internships
• Program management and ongoing support throughout the internship

Station Responsibilities

• Payroll processing, tax withholding and workers comp for the intern
• Living wage commitment of at least $15 per hour, more if your market demands
• Optional market differential if your area requires higher compensation
• Any costs beyond the PMJA stipend amount

Q: Does this cost my station anything?
A: PMJA provides $6,500 toward the internship, and your station covers payroll administration, employer payroll taxes, and worker's compensation insurance. You'll also ensure the intern receives at least $15/hour, making up any difference between the PMJA funding and this wage requirement. Most stations find this an exceptional value for 16 weeks of trained journalistic talent focused on enhancing your coverage.

Q: What types of PMJA members can apply?
A: Applying to host an intern through Opening Doors is open to all current PMJA member organizations, including both News Organization members and Supporter members. As long as your organization has current PMJA membership, you're eligible to apply to host an intern.

Q: What if we don't have strong science/tech/economics coverage currently?
A: Perfect! This program is designed both for stations looking to grow in these areas AND those wanting to strengthen existing coverage. Your application should focus on your community's needs, how the intern will help develop or enhance this coverage and how you will support the intern in doing so.

Q: Can the intern work on stories outside of science, technology, and economics?
A: Yes! While the intern's primary focus should be on science, technology, and economics reporting to fulfill the program's goals, they can absolutely work on other stories as part of their overall newsroom experience. This helps them develop well-rounded journalism skills and become fully integrated members of your team. Plus, what story doesn't benefit from a science, technology, or economics angle anyway? The key is ensuring they produce a substantial portfolio of science, technology, or economics stories by the end of their internship.

Q: Can small stations participate?
A: Absolutely! We're seeking a diverse mix of station sizes and markets. Small stations often provide incredible hands-on learning opportunities.

Q: Can we choose when our 16-week internship begins, or are the dates assigned to us?
A: The specific timing of the internship will be worked out between matched stations and students, so there is flexibility within the program timeframe. While internships are designed to take place between Fall 2025 and Summer 2026, the exact 16-week window will be determined through collaboration between you and your matched student. If you have specific timing constraints or preferences, you can share those in the "Anything else to share?" section of your application, and we'll consider them during the matching process.

Q: What if we're not in a major metropolitan area or one of the listed preferred locations?
A: Rural and smaller market stations are encouraged to apply. You may need to provide a detailed housing assistance plan, but many students are open to different geographic experiences.

Q: What are the preferred locations and where did they come from?
A: The preferred locations (New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Boston, Nashville, Dallas, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Detroit, St. Louis, Louisville, Houston, Memphis, Charlotte, Albany NY, and surrounding metropolitan areas) come directly from our student applications. We asked each Opening Doors participant where they'd be willing to complete their internship, and these cities were mentioned most frequently. Stations outside these areas are absolutely welcome to apply—you'll just need to provide a comprehensive housing assistance plan to help your intern secure safe, affordable housing.

Q: How much supervision time is required?
A: We recommend weekly one-on-one meetings between intern and supervisor, plus integration into regular editorial meetings and newsroom activities. The investment in mentorship pays dividends in content production and potential future hiring.

Q: What other resources and support does PMJA provide besides the intern and funding?
A: You'll receive ongoing support throughout the internship including regular check-ins with PMJA staff, access to skills training sessions that your newsroom staff can join, and connection to a community of other participating stations through a dedicated Slack channel for supervisors. PMJA has already invested significantly in your intern's preparation through comprehensive public media immersion training, specialized SciLine training on incorporating science into local reporting, and full participation in the PMJA conference. PMJA also works closely with you on the student-station matching process and provides a virtual pre-internship orientation.

Q: How will the stipend payment be disbursed?

A; Stations will be provided with 75% of the funds at the start of the internship and the remaining 25% at the end of the internship. All funds not used by the station must be returned to PMJA.

Q: What happens if the intern doesn't work out?
A: PMJA provides ongoing support throughout the internship. With proper planning, clear expectations, and regular communication, issues can usually be resolved quickly.

This is your chance to:

• ✨ Access exceptional emerging talent at minimal cost
• 🚀 Enhance your station's coverage in critical areas
• 🌟 Make a lasting impact on the future of public media
• 💪 Strengthen your newsroom while supporting diversity

Download our Application Guide to help pull together all the details before you begin.

Apply here!

Questions? Contact us at training@pmja.org