WHIO-TV/DT (Channel 7) is looking for a few exceptional interns - the next generation of America's journalists. At WHIO-TV you'll learn about the operations of one of America's most successful television stations, with newscasts that rank among the highest-rated in the country. You'll be exposed to jobs you never knew about. And you'll get that key ingredient to landing your first job out of school - experience!
Internship Requirements
1. You must be registered at a University, College, Community College or Vocational-Technical Institute.
2. You should have Junior, Senior or Graduate-program status, or be in the last year of a Community College or Vocational-Technical program. You must have a "B+" GPA equivalent or better.
3. You must be sponsored by a faculty advisor and/or internship coordinator. Written confirmation must be provided by your school confirming that credit will be earned for participation in the program. No compensation will be received from the station.
4. All internships require a minimum of 15 hours per week covering a period of 10-16 weeks, depending on the school's quarter or semester length.
5. While WHIO-TV considers the internship program format valuable in observing the student's attitude, talents, and skills, it is understood that no guarantees are given for future employment.
News Internship: Students will have many opportunities during this internship, including observing and participating on a limited basis in the operation of one of America's highest-rated television news departments. Internship candidates should have excellent communication skills. Students will learn the art of producing. This will include researching, learning about the decision-making process for stories, where story ideas originate, writing, timing and boothing a newscast. Students will also learn the process of news-gathering from a reporter's point-of-view. Interns will be allowed to accompany reporters on certain stories, will learn about asking the right questions when interviewing, and will learn what it takes to complete a story for broadcast. Must learn quickly and follow directions with minimal supervision.
Weather Internship: Learn what it takes to be a television meteorologist. Students will gain invaluable experience during this internship, including observing and participating in the daily activities in the Storm Center 7 weather department. This will include participating in researching and producing a complete weather forecast and creation of daily on-air weather graphics for Storm Center 7 and WHIO-TV's 24-hour weather channel 7 Weather Now. Preference will be given to candidates who are studying in the science/meteorology fields. Candidates should have excellent communication skills along the ability to learn quickly and follow directions. Website knowledge including basic wirting and posting skills are preferred.
Web Site Internship: Learn how a local television Web site works. Work with Web site producers in updating news content; writing copy, posting videos; creating links; determining story layout. You will also learn how to program the Web site, write news, community, sports, and promotions stories. Internship candidates should have excellent communication skills with emphasis on the written word, as well as accurate data entry and typing skills. Students must have working knowledge, familiarity and experience with researching information on the World Wide Web. Knowledge of HTML is required.
Photography/Editing Internship: This internship is designed for students interested in TV News photojournalism. Students will learn shooting techniques, journalism, equipment handling, and respect for the profession. Intern will accompany news photojournalists in the field and assist the photojournalists and editors in the editing room. Students must have sound judgment, quick-thinking abilities and an interest in current news stories. A basic knowledge of video photography and editing is required.
Sports Internship: This internship is aimed at students interested in a career in sports broadcasting, either as a producer or reporter. Intern will see how individual stories are researched, shot, written, and produced for TV sportscasts. Sports knowledge is essential. Website knowledge including basic writing and posting skills are preferred.
Assignment Desk Internship: Students will have many opportunities during this internship, including observing and participating on a limited basis in the operation of a major market television station. Internship candidates should have excellent communication skills. Students will learn how to work on the assignment desk—the heart of the newsroom. This will include researching, dispatching and monitoring news crews, communication with law enforcement agencies, learning about the decision-making process for stories and where story ideas originate. Students will also learn the process of news-gathering from the ground up and how the assignment desk plays a critical role from start to finish each day. Must learn quickly and follow directions with minimal supervision.
OBJECTIVE: WHIO-TV recognizes the need of the student for exposure to a real-life station environment as a supplement to their formal education. In most instances, broadcast hiring professionals now require participation in an internship program in lieu of previous experience.
General Guidelines I. No intern or candidate for internship shall be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status or any other basis which is prohibited by applicable Federal, State or City Law.
II. All internships are unpaid positions. In order to assure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act:
*The internship shall be for the benefit of the student. *The internship, even though it may include the actual operation of some station equipment, shall be similar to the training that would be given at an educational institution. *Interns shall not displace regular employees, but will work under their close supervision. *The intern must attend an orientation session at the beginning of the internship. *The station shall derive no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern, and on occasion may actually be impeded. *An intern shall not be entitled to employment with WHIO-TV at the conclusion of her/his internship period. An intern may, however, compete for employment openings at WHIO-TV at the conclusion of her/his internship period. *An intern should understand in advance that she/he will not be entitled to wages for the time spent in an internship.
III. An intern is not an employee and therefore is not covered by the station's employee benefit plan or worker's compensation insurance.
IV. The internship is intended as a learning experience. The duties of the intern shall be clearly spelled out by station officials.
V. Starting and ending dates shall be specified in advance for each internship. Internships are to last no longer than one quarter or one semester unless an extension is granted by the internship coordinator.
VI. WHIO-TV reserves the right to terminate any intern at any time for any cause.
VII. Students will only be offered an internship after WHIO-TV receives satisfactory results from a background check of your driving record, criminal record and credit history.
VIII. Each intern shall sign and submit to WHIO-TV at the start of the internship a letter of understanding of these guidelines.
IX. RELEASE OF LIABILITY. Prior to serving an internship, students must sign a release absolving Cox Enterprises, Cox Television, WHIO-TV/Channel 7, its divisions, subsidiaries and all personnel from liabilities relating to any loss, damage, or injury sustained during the course of his/her activities as an intern at WHIO-TV/Channel 7.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Students must take the following steps to apply for an internship:
I. Consult with your career counselor or student advisor.
II. Submit the following information:
A cover letter introducing yourself and outlining the time(s) you will be available for an interview, days/times you are available to intern, phone number where you can be reached. (Interns should be available a minimum two days per week)
A completed resume.
A one-page essay outlining personal interests and professional goals, and a statement of why you would like to be chosen for this internship.
A letter from your college/university stating that you will receive credit for the internship.
Download the Internship Application: Click Here
Send the above information, including verification that you will receive credit for this internship, to caryn.golden@whiotv.com or mail to: Caryn Golden Managing Editor WHIO-TV 1414 Wilmington Ave. Dayton, OH 45420
COMMITMENT TO INTERNS In an effort to maximize the effectiveness of the internship program, the station will offer internships that provide consistent, step-by-step exposure to some of the most important aspects of the television industry. Experience in these vital areas will help the intern to broaden his/her horizons and crystallize career goals while gaining a basic understanding of the station's operations.