It's Been a Minute & Life Kit Internship- Fall 2026
Job Description
OVERVIEW
A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.
Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.
Internship Program Duration: October 5th, 2026 - April 16th, 2027
Application Instructions: Applications close on Sunday, June 21st at 11:59 pm ET.
Intro to Position
This internship consists of two parts. Each part will be hosted by a different team.
It’s Been a Minute, October-January:
It’s Been a Minute is the future of NPR programming. Through three podcasts a week plus a radio show, host Brittany Luse highlights trends in culture (from how we live to what makes us laugh) and explores why people are connecting with them now. IBAM covers everything from politics to pop culture and is redefining cultural journalism by asking questions traditional media has yet to ask. Our team is innovative, ambitious, creative, curious, and fun. Our audience has tripled in the past six months, and we’re looking for an intern who is hungry to learn how to make a show from the inside out.
Life Kit, January-April:
Created around original podcasts, Life Kit is NPR’s brand for actionable journalism. With journalistic rigor and in-depth reporting, Life Kit publishes three podcasts a week that aim to help people be their better selves. We also produce a steady flow of digital stories, Instagram stories and posts, and regular radio pieces. We answer how-to questions with evidence-based take-aways. Our team is highly collaborative, curious, nimble, and hardworking. We are looking for an intern who embodies all those traits to join our team.
This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff is defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.
Interns will have the opportunity to experience & support the work of the team in the following areas...
- Contributing to episode research
- Pitching episode ideas
- Assisting with audio production tasks, including pulling audio clips for edit and producing promos
- Assisting with social media efforts; follow-up with episode experts
- Supporting engagement editor(s) with video production
- Booking guests and arranges logistics
- Helping monitor listener feedback
- Obtaining audio and assists with basic production
- Attending editorial meeting and pitches story ideas
- Performing routine administrative tasks
- Fact-checking for episodes and digital stories
- All work of the intern is to be performed under the close supervision of the host teams.
A strong internship candidate for this role might have…
- Strong research skills
- Strong writing skills
- Computer literacy
- Interest in audio journalism
- Knowledge of NPR podcasts and other content
The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.
Application Requirements
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Writing Sample
Education Requirements
Must be a current student in an accredited degree program or a recent graduate of no more than 12 months from the month of the start of the internship.
Work Location & Requirements
Select One (Include the specific office, geographic work location, and number of onsite days as prompted below)
This is a hybrid permitted role. The employee will be required to be in the office at the New York City location at least 3 of days a week. The employee must also reside in New York City.
Job Type
This is a full-time, non-exempt internship
Schedule
This is a full-time internship with a standard schedule of Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST. The intern is expected to work onsite in the NY Bureau 3 days a week.
Compensation
Hourly Rate The U.S.-based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $20.00 per hour. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum hourly rate NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.
NPR Benefits: NPR offers interns a robust package of benefits and resources designed to foster their professional development and support their overall well-being. Interns are eligible to make elective contributions to the NPR 403(b) retirement plan. As an intern, you have access to Transit Commuter benefits through HealthEquity, which allow you to set aside pre tax funds for eligible commuting expenses. You are also eligible for membership with the Signal Financial Federal Credit Union, giving you access to a range of financial services and resources. At our DC Headquarters, interns enjoy free access to on-site Wellness Center, free fitness center membership, secure bike facilities, garage parking, and onsite cafeteria. Other benefits include the Employee Assistance Program with up to six face-to-face counseling sessions per issue, Global Guardian worldwide assistance, and Business Travel Accident coverage. Additionally, interns working 30 or more hours per week receive holiday pay for 10 observed holidays plus one floating holiday per year and accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave each pay period with no waiting period. NPR also supports career growth and work-life balance through professional development opportunities, flexible work hours, and telecommuting options.
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.
#LI-Hybrid
NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.
If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to [email protected].
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