Communications Post-Graduate Internship | NYU Journalism Career Services

Posted On: January 17, 2017

Paid Journalism Internship

Media Organization: Society of Professional Journalists

Company Description

The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s largest and most broad-based membership association for journalists. We are dedicated to the perpetuation of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty. To accomplish this, SPJ hires smart, energetic individuals that are hell-bent on improving the Society’s offerings and operations — while making a name for themselves. After training, we get out of the way and give them the freedom to do just that.

Job Description

We’re looking for a candidate to fill a two-year internship for writing, marketing, social media and public relations efforts. The full-time position, based in Indianapolis, includes competitive salary, excellent benefits and paid leave.

What we’re looking for:

— Someone who is so organized, they know the birthdays and anniversaries of all their relatives.
— Someone who is a whiz on social media, has experience with marketing and is capable of sharing information in ways that make people listen.
— Someone who can jump from task to task with cat-like nimbleness.
— Someone who knows journalism.
— Someone who isn’t an ass and gets along with just about anyone.
— Someone who asks a lot of questions, but knows when to shut up and get to work.
— Someone familiar with AP Style.
— Someone familiar with HTML coding.
— Someone familiar with Google AdWords.
— Someone who can work independently as well as with supervisors.
— Someone who cares deeply about the quality of their work.
— Someone who isn’t a wimp.
— Someone who reads this detailed description from top to bottom.

Education requirement

There is no specific education or discipline requirement, though the position is ideal for a person who recently completed a bachelor’s or master’s program in a journalism or communications program. Past interns have come out of undergraduate and graduate programs in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing and public policy/public administration. Most important, the applicant should demonstrate a strong desire to create innovative communications strategies for SPJ and keep the organization moving forward with the dynamic industry it supports.

Primary duties will include:

— working with SPJ’s board and staff to create and distribute internal and external messages.
— managing, maintaining, building and expanding SPJ’s social media presence.
— providing editorial content for all of SPJ’s communications vehicles, including its member magazine (Quill) and weekly and monthly e-newsletters.
— building and maintaining media contact lists to advance SPJ’s advocacy.
— creating and implementing marketing plans for campaigns throughout the year.
— assisting in marketing and promoting all of SPJ’s products and services.
— organizing media inquiries, interviews and helping to prepare board members and leaders for media opportunities.

Application deadline and start date

Application deadline is 5 p.m. ET, Feb. 1, 2017. The anticipated start date is May/June 2017, and will last two years from the start date.

How to apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, résumé and three professional references to Jennifer Royer via:

1. Email (preferred)

Send your application materials to jroyer@spj.org. Please type “Communications Coordinator Position” in the subject line.

2. Mail-in option

Society of Professional Journalists
ATTN: Jennifer Royer
3909 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208

For more information

Contact Jennifer Royer, Communications Strategist, via email or by phone at 317-361-4134.

The Society of Professional Journalists is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. SPJ will apply its diversity mission to hiring with a written policy and approach to:

— Actively seek diverse candidates
— Advertise broadly
— Craft job descriptions to be inclusive
— Include diverse candidates within the interview pool

To Apply