Internship Program

The application deadline has passed.

The AAJA-SPJ Emerging Northwest Journalists Internship, sponsored in partnership with the Society of Professional Journalists Oregon Pro Chapter, is intended to provide opportunities for members of racial and ethnic minority groups that are underrepresented in Pacific Northwest newsrooms. The summer program is open to college students with ties to Oregon or southwest Washington who aspire to a career in journalism.

Applicants must be a college sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student majoring in journalism or a related field, or who aspire to a career in journalism. Applicants must reside in or attend school in Oregon or southwest Washington. Applicants who previously lived in Oregon or southwest Washington will also be considered.

This year, selected interns will spend 10 weeks working with the news staff at either The Bulletin in Bend or The Oregonian/OregonLive in Portland. They will be provided a staff mentor for the duration of the internship. The selected intern will be paid at least $18 an hour and receive an additional housing stipend at the start of their internship.

Questions? Email aaja.pdx@gmail.com.

Previous interns

Matthew Park (2021, KGW-TV)

“This opportunity allowed me to maximize my creativity in a professional setting while making valuable industry connections. In just three months, I feel that I have improved drastically as a storyteller and couldn’t have envisioned a more productive internship.”

Celina Tebor (2020, The Oregonian/OregonLive)

“Despite being remote, my internship this summer at The Oregonian was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had as a journalist. I’ve been able to write some extremely impactful stories about COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter protests in Portland during my time here, and the entire staff has been nothing but supportive. I’m so grateful for AAJA, SPJ, and The Oregonian for providing me with an internship I'll speak about for years to come.”

Donald Orr (2019, Oregon Public Broadcasting)

“This internship has blessed me with the opportunity to be part of an inclusive, professional newsroom where I get to hone my craft as a journalist daily. Hearing my voice on public radio has been a goal of mine for a long time — to have that now be a reality is truly surreal. I’m eternally grateful to AAJA-Portland, SPJ Oregon Territory Chapter and Oregon Public Broadcasting for continuing to elevate diverse voices like mine, and giving me the opportunity to grow as a journalist — I hope to pay it forward someday. Thank you!”