12 Online Journalism Internships for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- May 5
- 9 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Most students study journalism through school electives, clubs, or by writing for a campus paper. But those settings rarely reflect how journalism actually works. The alternative? An internship in journalism!
Journalism internships, such as the ones in the list below, connect high school students directly with newsrooms, editors, and real deadlines, and can help you understand the field in a more practical way.
Several organizations also offer online journalism internships where you can take on assignments from home. You might be reporting on a local event, researching data for a feature story, fact-checking a piece before publication, or sitting in on editorial meetings. If you're considering journalism in college or as a future career, these experiences can help you build a strong portfolio and learn how to meet the expectations of a professional newsroom without committing to an in-person internship.
To get started, here are 12 online journalism internships for high school students!
12 Online Journalism Internships for High School Students
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,490. Full financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. The summer cohort application deadline is May 11.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to 10–20 hours per week.
Ladder Internships gives high school students the chance to work directly with high-growth start-ups in fields like journalism, media, and content strategy. During the program, you will be placed with a start-up and take on projects such as writing articles, researching stories, drafting newsletters, or developing social media content. You will be supported by managers and Ladder Coaches throughout the internship.
Many start-ups in the program focus on journalism, media, or marketing. Others are in industries like health tech but have media-focused roles. Several of these companies have raised over $1 million in funding. The program ends with a final presentation of your work to your assigned team.
Location: Los Angeles (for residents) / Remote
Cost: No cost; stipend provided ($16/hour)
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Open to high school students of all grades residing in Los Angeles County or Orange County, California, who are eligible to work in the U.S. and can commute to the El Segundo office for in-person work.
The L.A. Times High School Insider Internship is a six-week program that gives high school students direct experience in a working newsroom. You will spend 24 hours each week reporting, writing, and developing multimedia content with guidance from L.A. Times journalists. The schedule includes three in-person days at the El Segundo office and one remote day each week.
As part of the internship, you will cover local news, education, and arts stories. You will attend training sessions, receive one-on-one feedback, and build a portfolio of published work. This program helps you understand how journalism works at a professional level and prepares you to take on larger roles in student media or future internships.
Location: Editorial and The Interview Project interns can participate virtually
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Offered year-round
Application Deadline: Based on position
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12) with a passion for writing, storytelling, and community engagement.
The Project Write Now Teen Internship Program gives you the chance to build writing, editing, and communication skills while working with writers and educators. As an intern, you will take part in creative writing projects, help manage digital content, and support social media work.
You will also assist in running writing workshops for younger students, which helps you gain experience in mentoring and leadership. The program includes opportunities to write in different formats and start building a writing portfolio.
Location: Virtual and in person
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Varies by position
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Open to high school students with at least one honors science or honors English class, and GPA over 3.25
The EnergyMag Journalism Internship lets you explore topics like renewable energy, climate policy, and clean technology through writing and research. You will work on real articles for the EnergyMag platform, receiving feedback from editors and learning how to report on environmental and energy issues.
As part of the internship, you will build skills in content creation, media analysis, and digital storytelling. You will also contribute to articles that may be published on the site. The internship is fully remote and offers a flexible schedule, allowing you to gain experience in energy journalism while building a portfolio of work.
Location: Hybrid (Virtual + Princeton Campus)
Cost: Fully funded
Program Dates: Online classes begin mid-July, culminating in a residential session at Princeton from late July to early August.
Application Deadline: February, with additional documentation and interviews in April and May.
Eligibility: High-achieving high school juniors from low-income families with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5/4.0 and a demonstrated interest in journalism.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a year-long program for high school students from low-income backgrounds who are interested in journalism and political reporting. The program selects 40 students and starts with an intensive summer session held on Princeton’s campus. The summer portion is free and includes workshops, lectures, and reporting assignments.
You will learn interviewing techniques, news writing, and feature reporting from Princeton professors and journalists from outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post. The curriculum focuses on covering topics such as race, politics, business, social issues, and the environment. After the summer, you continue to receive college prep guidance and mentorship throughout the year.
Location: Varies (Hosted by partner universities and organizations across the U.S.
Eligibility: High school students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds or facing barriers to journalism careers
Application Deadline: Varies by workshop; contact here for details
Program Dates: Dates vary by location
Cost/Stipend: Free; funded by the Dow Jones News Fund and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (includes training, materials, and often housing/meals)
The Dow Jones News Fund offers summer journalism workshops for high school students, particularly those facing challenges in entering the media field. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, these workshops focus on health and wellness journalism, teaching you how to write compelling stories, report accurately, and create multimedia content such as videos and photos.
The program provides hands-on experience, allowing you to publish work in both digital and print formats. You will also gain essential skills in critical thinking, communication, and teamwork while engaging in real newsroom operations. The workshops include exposure to journalism ethics, helping you decide if a career in journalism is right for you.
Location: Northwestern University campus, Evanston, IL
Cost: $5,000 (includes room and board); up to $100,000 in financial aid and scholarships available
Program Dates: June 29 to July 25
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in journalism. Applicants must submit an application form, essay, activity list, writing samples, and recommendation letters. Mid-year or first-semester grades are required.
The Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute, hosted at Northwestern University, is a four-week summer program for high school students interested in journalism. Held on-campus in Evanston, IL, the program teaches you the essentials of reporting, writing, and multimedia storytelling.
Under the guidance of experienced journalists and educators, you will gain hands-on experience and work on real-world assignments. The program aims to build your skills in news writing and media literacy while providing personalized instruction and mentorship to help you develop as a journalist.
Location: Virtual and/or Onsite (Washington, D.C.)
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 23 – July 17 (3-day week schedule due to July 4th holiday)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 16 or older with an interest in libraries, museums, research, youth engagement, writing, and exhibition development. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and visa holders.
The Library of Congress Summer Internship gives you the opportunity to contribute to public programs for youth and families while learning how a major national institution operates. Over four weeks, you’ll work with staff from the Informal Learning Office and the Office of the Librarian to research, design, and develop materials for a new interactive learning space at the Library.
You’ll use the Library’s collections to support your projects, join workshops on public engagement, and collaborate in virtual peer groups. If you are based in the Washington, D.C. area, you’ll also attend weekly in-person sessions. While the internship is unpaid, you can apply for academic or service credit and gain access to staff discounts at the Library.
Location: Online
Cost: Varies - Free trial available; financial aid may be available
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to high school students, college students, and individuals interested in journalism. No prior experience required.
The Become a Journalist: Report the News Specialization by Michigan State University on Coursera is a self-paced online course that introduces high school students to the core skills of journalism. The program covers news writing, interviewing, fact-checking, and media ethics. It includes practical assignments where you will write and structure original news stories based on real events.
A key part of the course is the Capstone Project, where you will plan, report, and publish a full-length news story. The course is taught by Michigan State faculty and journalists and is designed to build your understanding of how journalism operates in society.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY (in-person) and online (virtual sessions)
Cost: In-person Residential: $2,199 (includes housing and meals), In-person Commuter: $1,399 and Virtual: $999
Program Dates: In-Person: June 22–27, Virtual Sessions:July 7–11, July 14–18, and July 21–28
Application Deadline: Rolling admission (registration currently open)
Eligibility: Open to senior high school students (no middle school or junior high students). International students from schools following an American curriculum are also eligible. Teachers may also participate.
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s 44th Annual Summer Journalism Workshop gives you a chance to build real journalism skills alongside other high school students. Hosted by Columbia University, the program offers both in-person and virtual sessions, so you can choose the option that fits your schedule and location.
You’ll pick one of four tracks: News Reporting and Writing, Editorial Leadership, Design Concepts, or Digital Media and spend the week working on hands-on assignments guided by experienced journalists and educators. You’ll collaborate with peers, improve your writing or design skills, and learn what goes into producing strong student publications. If you need help with costs, you can apply for a Greenman Leadership Grant, funded by the Reckson Foundation.
Location: In-person (Cambridge, MA) and virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Not specified (typically varies by format; check the program website for updates)
Program Dates: June 11–15 and June 18–22 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Registration is due 4 days before the start of each academy session.
Eligibility: Open to high school students passionate about writing and journalism. No prior experience required.
Harvard University’s student-run newspaper, The Crimson, hosts the Summer Journalism Academy to give you a clear introduction to how journalism works in practice. Through workshops, writing assignments, and editing sessions, you’ll learn directly from current Crimson editors who cover daily news at Harvard.
You’ll explore how reporters develop a story, how editorial decisions are made, and how media organizations sustain themselves financially. The program is structured around several boards, including News, Editorial, Multimedia, and Art, so you can choose where to focus your efforts.
Location: Remote (Online)
Acceptance Rate: Selective; applications reviewed on a rolling basis
Cost: $395 for Weekend Academies; financial aid available
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Stanford Daily's Pre-Collegiate Summer Workshops give you a chance to explore journalism through hands-on reporting and multimedia projects. You will take on real assignments, learn the basics of news writing, and possibly publish your work on The Stanford Daily’s website.
The program includes weekly meetings and sessions with editors from the student-run newspaper, who offer feedback on your work and help you improve. You will also hear from guest speakers with experience in journalism and media.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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