Internship Programs

Pub date February 5, 2010

EDITORIAL INTERNSHIPS

What we offer

The Bay Guardian offers opportunities for its interns to develop reporting skills and to write numerous articles. We also provide workshops for interns on city politics, research and writing skills, and freelancing. Interns advance at their own pace. Although there are no guarantees, interns should leave the paper writing better and faster.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for self-motivated people with strong research, fact-checking, and writing skills, but prior journalistic experience is not required. Some familiarity with the Bay Area is helpful. In choosing interns, we take into consideration how well our intern program mirrors the readership our newspaper serves. People of color, lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants from both student and nonstudent populations are welcome.

What we expect

News interns help staff reporters with research and news gathering and develop their own short articles. They cover events, write blog entries, and in time some may write longer features.

For those whose interests lean more toward arts and entertainment, there are slots open for A&E interns, who write previews and short reviews, and potentially longer pieces. A&E interns also contribute regularly to the paper’s Pixel Vision (arts and culture) and Noise (music) blogs. These interns are hired based on writing skills and their knowledge of music, film, visual art, theater, dance, or any combination of the above. Knowledge of the local arts scene is a big plus.

Our Culture interns focus on food, shopping, fashion, nightlife, history, and other aspects of city living and global culture. They help out with special issues and contribute incisive blog posts and feature articles. As with A&E interns, our selection is based on writing skills, web-savviness, and eagerness to explore the city in all its cultural aspects. 

Web interns write blog posts, contribute to ongoing features, and help edit and post sfbg.com. Proven experience in these areas and familiarity with blogging and social networking is a plus. The web internship offers a chance to cover a specific area of interest, develop online features, and expand one’s web presence. 

Internships require a commitment of two full days each week (during regular business hours) for four months. Interns’ schedules will be arranged at an orientation prior to the internship. All internships are voluntary and unsalaried.

HOW TO APPLY

News internship: Send a resumé, cover letter, and three writing samples (clips are preferable) to Steven T. Jones, SFBG, 835 Market Street, Suite 550, SF, CA 94103 or email steve@sfbg.com

Culture and A&E internships: Send a résumé, cover letter, and three writing samples (published clips are preferable; blog entries are acceptable; please, no academic samples!) to Cheryl Eddy, SFBG, 550 Market Street, Suite 550, SF, CA 94103 — or email to cheryl@sfbg.com

 

Anyone interested in applying to more than one internship position should send separate applications and should inform each department of the different positions s/he is applying to.

INTERNSHIP DATES

Fall internship: begins in early September. APPLICATION DEADLINE: AUG 27

Winter/Spring internship: begins early January. 

Summer internship: begins in early May. (We understand that school schedules vary, so we’re somewhat flexible on summer start/end dates. Please indicate your availability in your cover letter.)

THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN

550 Market Street, Suite 550

San Francisco, CA 94103