Posted On: July 16, 2024

Journalism Internship

Media Organization: Observer

Company Description

Observer chronicles the people and trends rapidly changing our world. Observer curates expert opinions and recommendations. Observer celebrates an elite group of leaders in industries we believe matter most. Observer’s mission is rooted in daily exploration of the powerful people behind the world’s most interesting, successful and innovative ideas, companies and trends.

Job Description

IMPORTANT: Internships are unpaid, therefore interns must be eligible to receive academic credit during the Fall 2024 semester for their internship. If you are a student, contact your career counselor for more information.

We expect all interns to work 2 full days per week, though half days are permissible on a case-by-case basis to accommodate some school schedules.

All applicants should submit a resume and cover letter as well as a portfolio, links to past clips or writing samples.

Observer interns:
– Join daily editorial meetings
– Work closely with their section editor (Arts, Business, Lifestyle) to refine pitch ideas that align with Observer's content strategy, draft 1-2 articles per week and incorporate feedback/edits
– Learn to use WordPress (building articles/Listicles, adding and formatting images, following taxonomy guidelines), the analytics platform Parse.ly and Slack
– Learn about SEO strategy and participate in taxonomy projects to improve the overall health of the site
– Source images for publication from brands, PR firms/contacts, sources

Observer is a premier online editorial platform. For the past two decades, we have captured a loyal readership through witty, irreverent and opinionated coverage of society, technology and innovation, real estate, arts, culture and entertainment. Although the New York Observer has been discontinued as a print publication, its legacy endures through our digital platforms.

Observer has published many of the nation’s top journalists, critics and essayists over the years, including Joe Conason, John Heilpern, Rex Reed, Andrew Sarris, Robert Gottlieb, Ron Rosenbaum, Susan Faludi and Peter Bogdanovich. In the mid-1990s, the New York Observer published “Sex and the City,” Candace Bushnell’s column on Manhattan’s social life that inspired the hit television series and subsequent films.

Observer interns do more than research and fact-check articles as they move from writer to editor to publication. Primarily, editorial interns are tasked with working within one of Observer’s verticals—business, lifestyle or arts—assisting that section’s editor. Interns will be expected to write about one article per week while at Observer, developing their own beat and byline. When not on deadline, interns are encouraged to become acquainted with Observer’s editors and writers, support newsroom operations, contribute to longer-term editorial projects and do their own research and reporting.

Please indicate which vertical(s) (business, lifestyle or arts) you are interested in and why in your cover letter.

Observer’s newsroom boasts a unique and tight-knit team culture that benefits from the energy of its reporters and the experience of its editors. Though much of the team is remote, we have daily meetings and frequent check-ins. There are also opportunities to come into the office. Interns are fully integrated into this hybrid environment, where they have the opportunity to gain invaluable reporting, online editorial and in-person newsroom experience.

Observer runs three internship sessions a year: Spring (early January through May), Summer (June through August) and Fall (early September through December). Interns can work remotely but have the option to come into Observer's office in Manhattan. Former interns have gone on to be hired full-time at Observer, as well as at The New York Times, New York Magazine, The New Republic and many other publications.

To Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter and any relevant writing samples (portfolio, publication author page, etc) to Sonia Rubeck (srubeck@observer.com).

Include 'Fall Editorial Internship' in the subject line