About Chicago Public Media
Chicago Public Media is one of the nation’s largest local nonprofit news organizations. Home to WBEZ 91.5FM, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Chicago Public Media reaches more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to be the most trusted news source Chicagoans turn to for understanding the people, events, and ideas shaping our community.Chicago Public Media is a 100% community-funded newsroom powered by nearly 97,000 members whose support makes our journalism possible.
. This sustained community investment helped drive nationally recognized work in 2025, including 29 awards from esteemed organizations, including the Public Media Journalists Association, the Edward R. Murrow Awards, and the National Association of Black Journalists.We believe independent journalism is essential to a healthy democracy and that access to objective, fact-based news is a right for every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse content that informs and enriches our community, supported by a dedicated staff of approximately 250 professionals.For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.
The Opportunity
We are looking for an Audio Intern for our newsroom. The WBEZ audio intern will be available to help with daily news and production needs to support the work we do both for broadcast and on-demand. Our audio news intern will work across the newsroom with other reporters and editors. Interns learn to write audio and digital news, produce multimedia content, record field audio, edit audio, and they learn other skills required by daily reporters and producers at radio stations. Ideal candidates have strong collaboration and communication skills, as well as some previous work as a reporter.
They show a natural curiosity about local news and bring fresh perspectives to listeners and readers. They were willing to learn from experienced newsroom reporters, producers and editors. We are located at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. All interns must be able to work from our office and studios at Navy Pier in Chicago a minimum of 2 days a week.Chicago Public Media interns work alongside some of the best talent in the business. Our hope is that — after receiving a solid foundation at WBEZ — our interns continue to contribute to public media and audio journalism.
A bit about our internship programs:
- Many, but not all, of our interns have completed college or some other form of education and/or certification in the journalism or media field(s).
- Many go on to careers in public media or other outlets. Many have found their way back to WBEZ, too.
- We pay $20/hour, non-negotiable
Interns work full time 40 hrs/week
Program term is 12 weeks (June 9, 2026 - September 10, 2026)
- Positions are daytime work hours on a Monday through Friday schedule, though some flexibility may be possible.
What we are looking for our candidates to display in their resumes, cover letters and interview conversations:
- Knowledge about WBEZ and our mission of serving the community
- Strong interest in learning and contributing to our mission
- Curiosity and the willingness to learn
- Understanding of the value of bringing together diverse perspectives
- Why WBEZ is part of your career planning in journalism and media
- Specific skills you want to learn during the internship
- If applicable, any links to a portfolio of writing samples; audio, video, or multimedia packages; or other completed work that may be relevant to this opening
The application deadline is Friday, April 20, 2026. Managers plan to select candidates by early May.
Accepted applicants will be required to start training in Chicago on June 9, 2026. Internship ends September 10, 2026.
Working at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact. Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families.
As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan. Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment.
Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.
