Communications Internship - Fall 2026

NPR•Washington, DC

8h•Onsite

About The Position

Join NPR’s Communications team as a Fall 2026 Intern and make an impact! In this role based in our New York office or Washington DC headquarters, you will help shape NPR’s narrative by drafting content for NPR Extra social accounts, preparing executive briefings, and researching media opportunities. You will gain hands-on Communications experience while exploring the future of the industry and helping to design new AI-driven workflows. A major developmental goal for this internship is upleveling our reporting infrastructure; you will build dashboards, monitor real-time brand mentions, and drive coverage reports that directly inform NPR's overarching strategy. This is a unique opportunity to build core Communications skills and create deliverables that serve stakeholders across all of NPR.

Requirements

Demonstrated writer who can shift between a punchy social caption and a polished executive briefing document
Possess strong instincts for social media and can adapt content for different platforms and moments
Comfort (or eager to get comfortable) using analytics or media monitoring tools to track coverage and brand mentions
Have explored and applied AI tools to real tasks, and are excited to take that further to help a real team work smarter
Can juggle multiple projects at once and flag issues before they become problems
Care about public media and want your work to serve a mission that matters

Responsibilities

Draft promotional content for NPR Extra social accounts and blog to amplify key moments (awards, events, announcements); align content with NPR’s messaging pillars and the Communications team’s editorial calendar
Monitor NPR Extra channels and external brand mentions daily; flag breaking issues and opportunities for the Communications team and stakeholders
Produce coverage reports (monthly and for specific campaigns/announcements), including top stories, social mentions, reach, and narrative breakthrough, using MuckRack analytics and other tools as relevant
Draft executive briefing documents for media interviews and public speaking, providing outlet/event background, logistics overview, and talking points based on existing messaging guidance
Provide research on incoming event and media opportunities to help Communications team assess relevance
Assist in the design and deployment of new AI-driven workflows and tools to create efficiencies in the Communications team’s operations, working with team leadership to identify needs and project scope

Benefits

403(b) retirement plan
Transit Commuter benefits
Membership with Signal Financial Federal Credit Union
Free access to on-site Wellness Center (DC Headquarters)
Free fitness center membership (DC Headquarters)
Secure bike facilities (DC Headquarters)
Garage parking (DC Headquarters)
Onsite cafeteria (DC Headquarters)
Employee Assistance Program with up to six face-to-face counseling sessions per issue
Global Guardian worldwide assistance
Business Travel Accident coverage
Holiday pay for 10 observed holidays plus one floating holiday per year (for those working 30+ hours/week)
Sick leave accrual (for those working 30+ hours/week)
Professional development opportunities
Flexible work hours
Telecommuting options