2026 Grant Funded Summer SUNY Institute for Local News Internship

USA TODAY Co. • Rochester, NY

15h

About The Position

The 30-hour-per-week intern will report individually and sometimes as part of a team on quick-turn news developments and trending news in New York state. The purpose of the internship experience is to provide opportunities where a student can develop, grow and become the next generation of talent in local journalism. Internship supervisors will offer mentoring, networking and real-world experience. The intern will report to the New York Connect Team editor and collaborate frequently with Rochester editors, photographers and digital producers.

Requirements

• Degree-seeking student currently enrolled at a college or university with a GPA of at least 3.0
• Well organized, detail oriented, adaptable and flexible
• Ability to multi-task and work well in a team environment
• Excellent organizational, analytical and oral and written communication skills
• Social media skills, particularly on Instagram
• Technical skills required for multiple aspects of the role
• Strong Office and PC skills.
• Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check and a motor vehicle record check & drug screen (for driving roles only).
• Must be authorized to work in the applicable location.

Nice To Haves

• Previous internship experience is a plus

Responsibilities

• Research, report, write and help create compelling text and multimedia journalism for New York state audiences, focusing primarily on developing news and community events.
• Make it a mission to inform and engage readers through immediacy, insightful reporting and riveting storytelling.
• Work with coach, content creators, visual journalist and producers to shape storytelling to meet audience needs and interests on every platform.
• Connect with the audience through social media.
• Shadow reporters and learn digital and video skills.
• Learn how headlines, SEO, social posts and effective mobile writing techniques help extend the reach of content.
• Collaborate with visual journalists and producers to provide all the appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, videos and graphics).
• Capture basic photos and video as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern