20 Best Journalism Internships for High School Students – 2025
November 27, 2024
For some, a career in journalism still evokes the romanticized newsrooms of the twentieth century. But the industry has faced seismic change this century. The Internet, user-generated content, and other forces have contributed to an increasingly fragmented media landscape. Despite these shifts, young people remain committed to ideals of public access, balance of power, and a healthy information economy. They’ll need to learn novel techniques and strategies to adapt to the new age of journalism. Perhaps most importantly, they’ll need to get their foot in the door in a challenging job field. To this end, the following list surveys journalism internships for high school students. Taking advantage of these early opportunities can help make connections, build portfolios, and develop insights into how journalism is changing.
Looking for more information on a journalism career?
- 30 Best Colleges for Journalism
- How to Become a Journalist
- Starting Salaries for Journalists (by College)
20 Best Journalism Internships for High School Students – 2025
1) AAJA JCamp Summer Program
What is it?
The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) hosts a summer program for high schoolers. Student applicants are interested in careers in broadcast, newspaper, magazine, photo, and online journalism. Opportunities include mentorship, hands-on training, and the ability to produce multi platform news packages for JCamp Live.
How Much?
No cost (transportation, lodging, and meals provided for free).
Where?
The JCamp has a different host city every year.
Who?
All high school sophomores and juniors are eligible. The multicultural program is not limited to Asian American students.
When?
JCamp runs for six days each summer.
2) ASU Camp Cronkite
What is it?
Named after the renowned broadcaster Walter Cronkite, ASU’s journalism school offers a summer media camp for high schoolers. Students work with program faculty to learn about journalism and mass communication topics and practice media techniques.
How Much?
The camp fees for 2024 were $699 (includes meals, housing, and the camp tuition). Need-based scholarships are available through the program.
Where?
Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix campus.
Who?
Current high schoolers of all grades (no rising freshmen).
When?
Typically, the program runs for one week in late June.
3) BBC “Get In” Taster Experiences
What is it?
Across the pond, the BBC allows high schoolers to “taste” what it is like to work in their production offices. On set days, students drop into a BBC studio and shadow professionals across a range of job roles.
How Much?
No cost (transportation only covered in special circumstances).
Where?
Any of a number of BBC bases across the U.K.
Who?
High schoolers between the ages of 16-18.
When?
One of the BBC Taster Days.
Best Journalism Internships for High School Students (Continued)
4) Boston University Summer Journalism Academy
What is it?
BU’s summer academy offers students both residential and online training opportunities with working journalists. Emphasizing practical applications of journalistic concepts and skills, the academy leads students through real-world reporting assignments.
How Much?
The on campus, residential program costs $6,200 (includes tuition, room and board). The learn-from-home program is $1,500.
Where?
Boston University.
Who?
Rising juniors, rising seniors, and current seniors, with journalism experience are eligible for the on-campus program. The learn-from-home program accepts students aged 14-18 at all experience levels.
When?
Both versions of the program run over the summer. The on-campus program is three weeks long, and the learn-from-home program is two weeks.
5) City Limits CLARIFY Program
What is it?
City Limits is a New York City investigative journalism nonprofit. It recruits high schoolers with strong writing skills and an investment in local issues for its CLARIFY paid internship program. Interns learn about journalism’s core tenets and work with City Limits’ reporters on local stories with the goal of publication.
How Much?
CLARIFY offers an all-too-rare paid internship for high schoolers.
Where?
New York City.
Who?
Residents of New York City who will be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior years of high school.
When?
CLARIFY runs in both the summer and fall.
Best Journalism Internships for High School Students (Continued)
6) Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Summer Journalism Workshop
What is it?
Also in New York, the CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop is a weeklong intensive program hosted by Columbia University. There are three virtual sessions and one in-person sessions offered throughout the summer. Each session focuses on different skill areas, including news writing, design, editing, and digital media.
How Much?
The program has a tuition fee (includes instruction and materials), but scholarships may be available for qualifying students.
Where?
Columbia University in New York City
Who?
Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school.
When?
There are four virtual and in-person sessions to choose from, each running for a different week in the summer.
7) Dow Jones News Fund High School Workshops
What is it?
Dow Jones News Fund summer workshops take place in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Each workshop offers hands-on training in reporting, multimedia production, photojournalism, and media ethics. Check out the workshop director above for more information about the closest workshops.
How Much?
Cost varies depending upon the specific workshop. Tuition waivers or scholarships are available in some cases.
Where?
Workshops are hosted by universities, nonprofits, and media orgs in 24 states and the District of Columbia.
Who?
High school students with interests and experiences in journalism.
When?
Workshops are typically offered in the summer months, though specific dates depend on the program.
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8) Indiana University High School Journalism Institute
What is it?
Aspiring journalists can take advantage of the weeklong High School Journalism Institute at Indiana University for hands-on training. Institute participants choose from workshops focusing on reporting, editing, photojournalism, yearbook production, and digital media.
How much?
A tuition fee covers instruction, lodging and meals. Scholarships are available based upon need.
Where?
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Who?
Secondary students involved in or interested in student media (newspapers, yearbooks, and digital publications).
When?
The Institute runs for one week during the summer.
9) The L.A. Times High School Insider Youth Journalism Program
What is it?
The L.A. Times High School Insider program offers paid summer internships for high school students. Interns work alongside the paper’s journalists and contribute stories to the HS Insider platform. In the process, they can expect to develop writing, reporting, and multimedia skills.
How much?
This paid internship program offers students $17 per hour of work.
Where?
Los Angeles Times headquarters and remotely, with opportunities to cover stories across the city.
Who?
L.A. area high schoolers who have demonstrated interest in journalism, storytelling, and media.
When?
The internship takes place over the summer, typically from June to August. Interns can expect to work 24 hours each week.
10) Ladder Internships – Journalism Track
What is it?
Ladder Internships offer virtual programs that match students with startups or nonprofits to work on journalism-related projects. Participants receive mentorship from industry professionals and learn through skill development sessions.
How much?
The cost of the program is $1,990, but financial aid is available for eligible students.
Where?
Virtual – students can work from anywhere in the world.
Who?
High schoolers who can commit 5-15 hours per week for the internship program.
When?
The program runs for 8-16 weeks through spring, summer, fall, and winter cohorts.
Best Journalism Internships for High School Students (Continued)
11) University of Missouri School of Journalism High School Summer Workshops
What is it?
Mizzou’s renowned journalism school hosts three summer workshops for high schoolers that run concurrently in late June. Options include the Missouri University Journalism Workshop, Advertising and Public Relations, and Investigative Journalism.
How much?
There is a tuition fee covering instruction, lodging, and meals, with some available financial assistance.
Where?
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
Who?
All high schoolers interested in journalism, media, and/or advertising/PR.
When?
One week in late June.
12) NBCU Academy Young Leaders in Journalism Program
What is it?
NBC News hosts a weeklong program for underresourced New York City high schoolers interested in journalism. Participants work with NBC journalists, develop writing and presentation skills, and experience the day-to-day flow of a cross-platform news organization.
How much?
No cost (must demonstrate you come from an underresourced financial background).
Where?
NBCU Academy, New York City
Who?
The program is open to New York City public high schoolers who are rising juniors and seniors. Participants must have a combined household income that does not exceed $100,000.
When?
One week in late July.
13) New York Times NYC Summer Academy
What is it?
The Gray Lady hosts a two-week pre-college program of courses taught by New York Times journalists. Topics of focus include journalism, technology, arts, culture, sports, fashion, and business.
How much?
Each two-week course costs $5,160 for Day Students or $6,490 for Residential Students.
Where?
New York City.
Who?
Rising high school students and graduating seniors (must be 15-18 years old).
When?
The academy runs during the summer, with multiple two-week sessions available.
Best Journalism Internships for High School Students (Continued)
14) NSLC’s Journalism, Film & Media Arts Program
What is it?
The National Student Leadership Conference’s pre-college summer program allows students hands-on experience in news writing, broadcasting, filmmaking, and media production. Middle and high school students participate in workshops, leadership training, and real-world media projects.
How much?
There is a tuition fee that includes instruction, housing, meals, and materials. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students.
Where?
NSLC’s program runs at select universities, including American University and Northwestern University.
Who?
Middle school and high school students.
When?
Sessions run during the summer across multiple dates and locations.
15) Northwestern Medill Cherubs Program
What is it?
Another famous journalism school, Northwestern’s Medill, hosts an intensive six-week summer program for high school students. Medill Cherubs take college-level journalism, media production, and digital storytelling courses. Real-world projects become a way for participants to fill out their portfolios.
How much?
$5,000 for the four weeks (includes tuition, lodging, field trips, and group events). Financial aid is available based on need.
Where?
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
Who?
Rising high school seniors are eligible.
When?
The program runs for six weeks in the summer.
16) Ohio University’s High School Journalism Workshop
What is it?
OU’s Scripps School of Journalism offers this annual workshop for students and advisors. Participants work on real-world projects, producing news content under the guidance of professionals and OU faculty. They can also earn one hour of college credit through the program.
How much?
$450 registration fee (includes food, lodging, instruction, and activities).
Where?
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
Who?
Open to high school students from rising sophomores to recent graduates.
When?
The program takes place over a week in July.
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17) Princeton Summer Journalism Program
What is it?
Princeton’s summer journalism program is a free, hybrid, year-long program supporting high schoolers from low-income backgrounds interested in journalism. Selected students complete a rigorous summer intensive after their junior year. They then work with a college advisor on their college application and selection process through the end of their senior year.
How much?
The program is free for all participants, with Princeton covering costs of meals, housing, and travel during the residential phase.
Where?
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey.
Who?
High school juniors from low-income backgrounds who are interested in journalism and have strong academic records.
When?
The program lasts a full year, with the summer intensive running for 10 days, typically in early August.
18) QU’s Sports Journalism Pre-College Summer Program
What is it?
Quinnipiac University’s “Game Changers” summer program gives high schoolers the chance to dive deep on sports journalism and broadcasting. In the one-week program, participants work in professional-level studios to learn play-by-play commentary, sports reporting, and social media management.
How much?
The program has a tuition fee that covers instruction, meals, and housing. Financial aid may be available.
Where?
Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut.
Who?
High school students interested in sports communication, journalism, and media production.
When?
The program runs for one week during the summer.
Best Journalism Internships for High School Students (Continued)
19) UF College of Journalism and Communication Summer Media Institute
What is it?
The University of Florida Summer Media Institute is a five-day summer workshop. High school participants choose from courses in reporting, broadcasting, and photojournalism.
How much?
The program has a tuition fee that covers instruction, housing, and meals.
Where?
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Who?
High school students interested in journalism, media, and communications.
When?
The institute runs for five days during the summer.
20) The University of Georgia Summer Media Academy
What is it?
Georgia’s Grady College Summer Media Academy introduces high school students to careers in media. Over the course of a week, students explore workshops and projects, under the guidance of Grady College faculty.
How much?
Tuition required (includes housing and meals), with financial aid available.
Where?
University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
Who?
All high schoolers interested in journalism careers.
When?
One week in the summertime.
Best Journalism Internships for High School Students – Additional Resources
