15 Summer Writing Internships for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you’re a college student who loves to write, a summer internship can help you explore the professional opportunities available in the field. You’ll learn how to meet deadlines, collaborate with editors, and develop a sharper sense of voice and purpose through assignments and mentorship. These internships also give you the chance to connect with writers, editors, and industry professionals who can offer guidance and open doors to future opportunities.
Why should you attend a summer writing internship?
Through these internships, you can explore fields such as journalism, publishing, marketing, and communications while building a portfolio of work that shows your growth as a writer. You might draft articles, edit manuscripts, assist in content strategy, or contribute to research and creative projects. By the end of the internship, you’ll have gained practical experience, improved your writing and editing skills, and built professional relationships that can support your future career path.
To help you get started, we have a list of 15 summer writing internships for college students.
If you are looking for online paid internships, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. May 11, for the spring session. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
The Ladder Internship is a selective program that offers high school students the opportunity to work with startups in various fields, including technology, machine learning, AI, finance, sustainability, healthcare, media, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are dynamic, often having raised substantial funding, with founders from top accelerators like YCombinator and companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. During the internship, you will work on a real-world project and present your work at the end. You’ll be guided by a startup manager and a Ladder Coach, who will act as a second mentor and help you navigate the startup environment. The internship lasts 8 weeks and follows a coaching-plus-work model, not commonly found in similar programs.
Location: Multiple offices, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Houston
Cost/Stipend: Paid (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Up to 17 interns globally
Dates: 10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Primarily for college sophomores and juniors (must be at least 18); seniors and grad students should apply to WSJ News Associates; must be authorized to work in the country of internship
This internship offers you an opportunity to join one of the most well-respected newsrooms in the world. Whether you’re placed in business reporting, economics, photo editing, or multimedia storytelling, you’ll work on real assignments under tight deadlines and with guidance from seasoned editors. Interns have produced front-page stories, video content, social media packages, and even long-form podcasts. You’ll be expected to pitch your own ideas, collaborate across departments, and contribute to impactful journalism. The program also includes training sessions and mentorship designed to strengthen your reporting and newsroom skills.
Location: Washington Post Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid (exact stipend not specified)
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: October 3 (by noon ET)
Eligibility: College juniors, seniors, or graduate students enrolled in a degree program by the application deadline; prior professional or campus journalism experience strongly preferred
In this fully immersive newsroom internship, you'll step directly into high-impact roles across disciplines such as reporting, video, audio production, audience strategy, data journalism, and editing. From your first day, you're treated as a contributing journalist—not just a trainee—working alongside award-winning professionals in a 24-hour news environment. You'll have the chance to pitch your own stories or projects and be part of key editorial discussions. The program prioritizes enterprise journalism, encouraging you to pursue original and creative angles in coverage areas such as politics, national news, climate, arts, and international reporting. It’s also one of the few internships where data reporters, audio producers, designers, and developers get newsroom training alongside traditional journalists.
Location: Writers House Literary Agency, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $200 monthly stipend
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (Summer session)
Application Deadline: Varies by session; check the Writers House website or contact the program
Eligibility: Open to college students and recent graduates interested in publishing careers
This internship combines hands-on work in a literary agency with structured education in publishing. Over 12 to 16 weeks, you'll complete a curriculum that includes an 8-week “Editorial Bootcamp,” a job search workshop, seminars, and one-on-one consultations focused on careers in publishing. You'll spend 24 hours a week doing real agency tasks while learning about editorial work, rights management, and the business of books. Graduates of WHIP have gone on to roles in every major publishing house and literary agency, making it a strong launchpad if you're serious about the industry. The experience is particularly valuable for those seeking to develop both skills and professional networks in New York’s publishing industry.
Location: The Nation, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $20/hour, $700 per week
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Six interns per session (five editorial, one business)
Dates: June–August (Summer session; exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: October 26
Eligibility: Must be a college graduate (no current students); preference given to those who can work onsite in NYC at least two days a week
This full-time internship at The Nation offers you a deep dive into independent journalism through both practical newsroom experience and guided editorial development. As an editorial intern, you'll learn how to fact-check, navigate media ethics, and pitch your own articles while working on a deadline. You'll also attend seminars with renowned writers and journalists, creating space for both mentorship and critical discussion. Interns contribute to the production of a national magazine, helping to shape its voice while developing their own. One business internship spot is also available, focused on digital strategy, communications, and nonprofit publishing operations.
Location: Varies by placement; internships hosted at media outlets across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid; minimum $525 per week
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Nearly 100 interns are selected annually
Dates: 10–12 weeks, typically starting in early June
Application Deadline: November 5
Eligibility: College sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled full-time as of the application deadline; includes December grads, international students with work visas, and U.S. students abroad
This competitive national program places you in top newsrooms for internships in business reporting, digital media, multiplatform editing, data journalism, or audience engagement. Before starting, you’ll attend a week-long, intensive training boot camp specific to your chosen track, preparing you for the hands-on newsroom work ahead. Interns contribute to real-time journalism—from editing copy and writing business stories to producing digital content and analyzing data for investigative reports. Past host organizations include The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and Insider. You'll gain not only newsroom experience but also access to a broad alumni network and long-term professional support.
Location: Texas Tribune, Austin, TX (and remote/field-based for some roles)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (Summer session)
Application Deadline: November 2 (for spring and summer fellowships)
Eligibility: Open to currently enrolled college students; recent graduates may apply for summer roles only
As a Texas Tribune fellow, you’ll contribute directly to a newsroom that focuses on nonpartisan, policy-driven journalism with statewide impact. The program offers fellowships in areas such as reporting, audience engagement, data visualization, photography, marketing, and nonprofit development. You’ll work full-time over the summer, collaborating with award-winning staff on coverage of health, education, climate, and state politics. Fellows take on real assignments—writing, coding, filming, or designing pieces that go live on the Tribune’s platforms. With roles ranging from journalism to engineering and product development, the program is diverse and suited to a variety of skill sets in media and communications.
Location: New York, NY, and Nashville, TN
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Early June – Mid-August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: October 10
Eligibility: Open to college students and recent graduates; eligibility and qualifications vary by role
This internship offers structured exposure to the book publishing industry through a 10-week program at HarperCollins' offices in New York or Nashville. You'll work 28 hours per week from Monday to Thursday and gain experience in editorial, marketing, publicity, sales, or other departments, depending on your placement. The program includes a speaker series, collaborative publishing projects, and mentorship opportunities. You’ll also take part in resume coaching sessions and receive professional feedback. Interns are expected to be highly engaged, eager to learn, and genuinely passionate about books and the publishing industry.
Location: Remote (within the United States)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks, June–August (28 hours per week)
Application Deadline: October 6
Eligibility: Open to rising seniors, recent graduates, or workforce-ready individuals; must be eligible to work in the U.S. and reside in the U.S. for the duration
This fully remote internship allows you to explore the publishing industry through placements in various departments, including editorial, marketing, publicity, sales, graphic design, and more. Interns work 28 hours per week and are integrated into teams across PRH’s adult, children’s, or corporate divisions. You’ll engage in real publishing tasks while benefiting from mentorship and development opportunities like HR and supervisor interviews, training sessions, and structured onboarding. The application process is competitive and requires both a resume and a targeted cover letter. If you’re interested in book publishing and want a flexible, remote experience, this internship offers exposure to both the creative and operational sides of the industry.
Location: Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July–December (Summer cohort; 6 months)
Application Deadline: October 3 (rolling applications accepted after the deadline)
Eligibility: College juniors, seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates; must have at least one prior internship at a daily news organization (excluding college newspapers); must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
This six-month internship places you inside one of the country’s largest metropolitan newsrooms, where you'll be reporting real stories from day one. Interns are expected to handle major assignments early on, often contributing to daily coverage and enterprise pieces across Chicago and beyond. The program is designed for aspiring journalists who already have professional newsroom experience and want to sharpen their reporting under tight deadlines. While most positions are in the news and photography departments, all interns work full-time, gaining hands-on editorial practice in a demanding, high-profile media environment. The internship provides a unique opportunity to enhance your portfolio with impactful journalism from a respected, legacy outlet.
Location: Hybrid (New York City, NY – partial remote with in-person office days at 90 Broad Street)
Cost/Stipend: $3,570 stipend for those not receiving university funding
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Limited slots; priority given to students from partner institutions
Dates: Late May – August (10 weeks, 24 hours/week)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduate or graduate students based in the NYC area; must be enrolled during the internship
This hybrid summer internship places you at the center of a major literary nonprofit focused on celebrating and expanding access to American literature. You'll work three days a week, assisting with preparations for the National Book Awards, contributing to educational and public programming, supporting social media strategy, and editing press or marketing materials. Interns gain exposure to all aspects of nonprofit literary operations, including events, communications, and administration. In addition to regular remote work, you’ll attend in-person meetings and events. While course credit is encouraged, a stipend is offered to those without university funding.
Location: Remote (must reside in a North American time zone)
Cost/Stipend: $500 per month, plus free books and potential access to author events
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July – mid-December (second session)
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school graduates with a strong interest in poetry or literature; must have access to reliable internet and a personal computer
This remote internship provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how a nonprofit poetry press operates. Over the course of five to six months, you'll work 24–32 hours a week on projects ranging from publicity and production to editorial work and development. Tasks may include proofreading, preparing manuscripts for publication, researching permissions, or supporting fundraising campaigns. The internship emphasizes both independent and collaborative work, with interns involved across all departments. It's well-suited for aspiring writers or editors eager to gain hands-on experience in literary publishing, especially within the world of poetry.
Location: New York, NY (in-person only)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; unlimited MetroCards provided
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Late May – Mid-August
Application Deadline: April 8
Eligibility: College students or graduates; interns must be fully vaccinated and available full-time for 3–5 months
This in-person internship places you at one of the longest-running literary and political magazines in the U.S., offering full-time experience across editorial functions. Interns assist in fact-checking, research, and editing, and work directly with an editor on a specific magazine section. You'll also help develop the Harper’s Index and are encouraged to contribute ideas and approaches to editorial content. The program prioritizes analytical reading, attention to detail, and creative thinking, offering a comprehensive examination of how a national magazine is produced. While unpaid, the internship includes transportation support via MetroCards.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $3,500 for the 8-week program
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Primarily for graduating seniors; juniors may also apply
This eight-week remote internship is tailored for students interested in editing or long-form nonfiction publishing. As an intern at Verto Literary, you'll take on editorial responsibilities, including evaluating manuscripts, drafting editorial feedback, line editing, and assisting authors with research and fact-checking. You'll also participate in regular team meetings and brainstorming sessions, working directly under the guidance of a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor. The role is intensive and collaborative, providing a comprehensive experience in literary development and editorial strategy. It’s an ideal fit for those who want to pursue a career in nonfiction publishing and are looking for a hands-on, high-responsibility opportunity.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; discounted access to Sundress retreats and residencies
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: January 1 – July 1
Application Deadline: November 21
Eligibility: Open to all applicants; no geographic restrictions; preferred qualifications include strong writing, proofreading, and familiarity with tools like WordPress and Google Suite
This six-month remote internship with Sundress Publications offers experience in the inner workings of a nonprofit literary press. You'll engage in tasks such as proofreading manuscripts, writing press releases and blog content, assembling press kits, and supporting book promotions. There's also the opportunity to gain experience in social media management and content creation, including digital flyers and author features. Interns work around 10 hours per week and receive guidance from the editorial team via email and text. Although unpaid, the internship offers a strong foundation in independent publishing and provides an opportunity to build a portfolio of editorial and promotional work.
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, check out students’ reviews of the program here and 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 graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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