Journalism & Democracy Fellowship internships

In Summer ’25, the Charles Center will offer several paid internships with Virginia Media, covering stories from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach.  Interns will have opportunities to gain skills in reporting, audience engagement, and/or videography/photography.

Virginia Media includes four properties, The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, Virginia Gazette and Tidewater Review, making it the largest media outlet in the state. Its award-winning journalists are eager to help you learn and help produce Virginia’s best news coverage. Interns are assigned an editor and participate in team meetings and training sessions. 

Internships are available in reporting, audience engagement, and videography/photography. Interns are expected to be located in the Norfolk, Virginia, area during the duration of the internship and must be able to drive to assignments. The newsroom works in a hybrid environment with staff working from home or in the office space.

The internship lasts 10 weeks, from early June to mid-August.  William & Mary Journalism & Democracy Fellowship interns will receive a $5,000 stipend. 

Internships & expectations

Reporting: Produce a regular and compelling mix of stories, including news and features. Applicants should be adept at reporting, use of social media and video reporting. Must be able to write accurately and meet deadlines. Must be able to travel for coverage as required. Applicants must have a car. Interns will collaborate with editors and other team members on stories and brainstorming.

Photography/videography: Photojournalism interns will cover one or more assignments a day and should be able to capture compelling images that tell a story with accuracy and authenticity, including complete and accurate captions. Interns will need a basic knowledge of Photoshop and must be able to travel for news coverage as required. Applicants must have a car. 

Audience engagement: Connect with audiences using social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Work with reporters and editors to break down complex stories and create engagement plans. Use news judgment to manage our homepages and send alerts. Write newsletters. Use analytics platforms to create benchmarks of success. Experiment with new ways of reaching audiences.

Education/experience

Required qualifications:

Must be a continuing William & Mary undergraduate (i.e., not a graduating senior) in good standing with the university.

Must be eligible to work in the United States on or before June 1 of the internship year.

Preferred qualifications:
Experience working at a college publication, either print or online.

A previous internship or freelance experience at a daily newspaper or professional news website.

Other details

Interns receive a $5,000 stipend for 10 weeks of full-time of intern activities. 

The internship runs from early June to mid-August.

Interns must be based in Hampton Roads and have reliable transportation available for daily reporting assignments.

Interns cannot freelance or work at other publications during the internship, unless given clearance by a supervisor.

Students are required to participate in the Internship & Applied Learning Showcase, to be held in Fall 2025, after internships are completed.

How to apply

Apply by emailing Ted Maris-Wolf, Charles Center associate director, at [[edmari]].  When applying, please indicate in the subject line which position(s) you’re interested in.

Submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references.

Reporting candidates: Please include PDF copies of 3 published work samples. You may also add links to your application if you have online-only samples.

Photographer/videographers: Include in your application a link to your website or samples of your work. You may upload videos or include public links in your application. Zip files with images and captions are acceptable.

Audience candidates may also attach work samples in applications.

Feel free to include any good work you’ve done, even if it doesn’t fit the “traditional mold.”

About that cover letter . . .

Here are some things to think about when writing your cover letter:

Why you wish to intern for Virginia Media.

Your goals and expectations for the internship.

Your personal qualities that make you suitable for this opportunity.

How this internship relates to your career and academic goals.

What makes you the best candidate?

What you hope to gain from this experience.

Selection will be based on portfolio, experience (college and professional), cover letter, and references. Finalists will be interviewed.

Have a question?

Contact Ted Maris-Wolf, Charles Center associate director, at [[edmari]].

Former Virginia Media interns and their work

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Florida A&M University.  Now, best-selling author and historian.

Michael Sauls, sports reporter, University of South Carolina. Michael was hired full-time after his internship.

Sydney Haulenbeek, audience, Old Dominion University. Now reporter at the Courthouse News Service in North Carolina. 

Gabby Jimenez, reporter, Louisiana State University. Now reporter at The Advocate in New Orleans, Louisiana

Tess Crowley, visuals, University of Michigan. Now photo intern at the Chicago Tribune

Billy Schuerman, visuals, Ohio University. Hired full-time after his internship

Emily Broyles, audience. Appalachian State University. Now an audience growth producer for McClatchy 

Applications for Summer 2025 will open November 1 and will close December 1, 2024