Data Journalism Summer Internship

Posted On: April 9, 2019

Paid Journalism Internship

Media Organization: CALmatters

Company Description

CALmatters is a three-year-old nonprofit news organization with a full time staff of 22 dedicated to explaining the policy and politics of America’s biggest state. We produce vivid, original journalism and data-driven news and analyses distributed to more than 170 media partners and on CALmatters.org. Our reporters routinely see their work featured on major media outlets like the San Francisco Chronicle, KQED, KPCC, and the Los Angeles Daily News. In 2018 our explainer on California’s high housing costs won a first-place award from the Online News Association and we won an EPPY award for innovation for our Election Guide.

Job Description

CALmatters is looking for a summer data intern. Come join our small but growing data team as we cover California politics and policy, including the 2020 election.

When is it, where is it, and do I have to be a student? The internship will run roughly from June through August, although we are flexible on exact dates. Ideally applicants will be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate coursework, but recently graduated applicants are encouraged to apply. We’d prefer interns work out of our Sacramento office, but we are open to remote arrangements.

What will I do? You’ll contribute to several major data projects we have planned this summer, on issues ranging from climate change impact to the educational achievement gap.

Is this paid? Yes. And full-time.

What skills are you looking for? The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in utilizing data to explain complex policy and politics topics in an easily digestible way. Journalism students are encouraged to apply, as are students from other fields (graphic design, computer science, public policy, statistics).

To Apply

Application Instructions: Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@calmatters.org.

At the end of your cover letter please attach links to specific projects/clippings you feel are relevant to the internship. No more than five links please. Deadline is April 15, 2019.

In your cover letter and resume please describe:
A list or description of what data analysis tools you’ve used and what programming languages you may know.
A list or description of what visualization tools you may be proficient with.
One or two data-intensive projects you’ve worked on and how you created them. Projects do not have to be journalistic.
Audio and video skills a plus!