15 Online Journalism Internships for High School Students
If you’re interested in journalism, internships provide a great way to try reporting, editing, and media production while working with editors or mentors. You can see firsthand what it takes to work with a strict deadline in a fast-paced environment and whether you’re up for the challenge. You can also figure out if you have a specific niche while gaining key skills such as taking interviews, pursuing story angles, and developing sources.
We’ve compiled this list of 15 online journalism internships for high school students. Whether you're interested in local reporting, cultural commentary, or nonfiction writing, these internships offer different ways to build experience.
1. Pasquines Writing Internship
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round, flexible start
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Pasquines is a nonprofit news platform covering U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam through political and policy reporting. As an intern, you'll research public affairs topics, write articles for an online audience, and collaborate with senior editors. The program is fully virtual and self-paced, allowing you to work around your school schedule. You can also request help securing college credit. This is a strong fit if you’re especially interested in civic reporting, political analysis, or underreported regions of the U.S.
2. Ladder Internships – Journalism Track
Acceptance rate: Selective, varies by cohort
Location: Online
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Summer cohort deadline is May 11
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; must commit to 10–20 hours/week
Ladder Internships matches students with fast-growing start-ups for journalism, media, or content strategy projects. You’ll write blog posts, draft newsletters, conduct research, and build digital communication skills. Interns receive support from company managers and weekly coaching from the Ladder team. Many participating start-ups have raised $1M+ and offer media-focused roles, even if they're in sectors like health tech. You’ll end the program by presenting your work to your assigned team. This internship offers practical journalism experience in a professional remote setting.
3. Project Write Now Teen Internship
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Online (select tracks)
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling, based on role
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12) passionate about writing and storytelling
This internship offers you the chance to develop writing, editing, and communication skills through community-focused projects. You may help run social media campaigns, write creative content, or assist with workshops for younger students. As an Intern, you can also take part in interview-based projects or content development for the organisation’s blog. The program fosters collaboration and mentorship with staff and peers. It’s especially suited for you if you want to strengthen your creative or journalistic writing. You'll walk away with published work and experience in writing-based leadership roles.
4. EnergyMag Journalism Internship
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by position
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a GPA of 3.25+ and at least one honors science or English course
In this internship, you’ll focus on reporting stories about clean energy, sustainability, and environmental innovation. You’ll research emerging trends, write original articles, and work with editors to revise and refine your pieces. Your writing may be published on EnergyMag’s platform, where the audience includes researchers and industry professionals. The experience will help you build skills in journalistic writing, source evaluation, and science communication. The schedule is flexible and entirely remote, allowing you to balance it with school work. It’s a great fit if you're interested in combining science and journalism.
5. The Writing Cooperative Contributor Program
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Online
Cost: None
Dates: Flexible; self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students with strong writing samples
The Writing Cooperative is a Medium publication that accepts contributions from high school writers. While not a formal internship, if you are accepted into the program, you can pitch and publish original work under your byline. You may also receive light editorial feedback on drafts. This is ideal if you're self-motivated and looking to build a writing portfolio. You will be able to focus on improving your writing craft, creativity, and communication. Your articles are likely to reach a wide online readership.
6. The Intern Group – Remote Journalism Internship
Acceptance rate: Not specified; application + interview required
Location: Online
Cost: Tuition-based (cost not listed; scholarships available)
Dates: Flexible start dates and durations throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students with strong writing skills
This virtual internship program matches you with media organisations across radio, publishing, and digital journalism. You'll work on tasks such as writing blogs, newsletters, social media content, or contributing to podcasts, depending on your placement. The program is flexible in terms of timing and duration, making it suitable to fit around your school schedule. As an intern, you will also gain exposure to editorial workflows and industry tools while building a portfolio of work. An application and interview are required before you can be accepted.
7. Editorial Internship – Premier Travel Media
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Remote or hybrid
Cost: Free
Dates: 3-month internships year-round; 2–3 days/week
Application Deadline: Rolling, based on open roles
Eligibility: Open to high school students with strong writing skills
Premier Travel Media offers remote editorial internships focused on travel writing and publishing. As an intern, you'll contribute articles on domestic and international destinations, conduct research, and help source photographs for your stories. The position is flexible and part-time, making it manageable alongside school. You will gain hands-on editorial experience, build a portfolio of published pieces, and work closely with PTM’s professional team. It’s a practical stepping stone for you if you are interested in travel media or lifestyle journalism.
8. High School Summer Internship – Library of Congress
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Location: Online
Cost: None
Dates: June 23 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students aged 16+, interested in writing, youth engagement, or museums
This internship allows you to contribute to youth education programs at the Library of Congress. You'll work on exhibition planning, write educational material, and join workshops on public history. The team includes staff from the Office of the Librarian and Informal Learning. If you are a virtual intern, you can collaborate weekly via Zoom. But if you’re D.C.-based, you can attend onsite sessions. Your projects will focus on storytelling, research, and interactive design. This program blends writing, public service, and cultural work in a national institution.
9. Become a Journalist: Report the News
Acceptance rate: Open
Location: Online
Cost: Varies; free trial and aid available
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: High school students and beginners interested in journalism
This self-paced Coursera course is taught by journalism professors from Michigan State University. You'll complete units on interviewing, article structure, fact-checking, and ethics. The assignments that will be given to you are aimed at simulating the newsroom experience with story planning and deadline writing. With the capstone project, you’ll be required to report and publish a full news story. There will be quizzes, peer-reviewed tasks, and video lectures throughout the course. It’s a flexible starting point for learning the fundamentals of journalism.
10. Columbia Scholastic Press Association Summer Journalism Workshop
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Online
Cost: $999 (virtual), $1,399–$2,199 (in-person options)
Dates: Virtual: July 7–11, 14–18, 21–28
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to senior high school students; international students are eligible
Columbia’s summer journalism workshop offers you multiple tracks, including writing, editorial leadership, and design. You’ll participate in guided lessons and project-based work with experienced instructors. You will work on story development, publication layout, and digital media planning. The virtual sessions you’ll attend aim to replicate the in-person experience with live teaching and collaboration tools. If necessary, you can also seek financial aid through the Greenman Leadership Grant.
11. The Harvard Crimson Summer Journalism Academy
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Online (Zoom) or in-person (Cambridge, MA)
Cost: Not specified
Dates: June 11–15 and June 18–22
Application Deadline: Four days before the session’s start
Eligibility: Open to high school students; no experience required
This academy is led by editors of The Harvard Crimson, which is Harvard’s independent student-run newspaper. Through live workshops and writing drills, you’ll learn how stories are pitched, written, and edited. You can choose to join one of several editorial boards, including News, Opinion, and Multimedia. You will complete multiple writing assignments and receive personal feedback. There will occasionally be guest speakers who will join in to discuss careers in journalism. The short format makes it easy to join even if you have other summer commitments.
12. The Stanford Daily Pre-Collegiate Summer Workshops
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: $395; aid available
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 30 (priority)
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Stanford’s student newspaper runs this journalism program online with weekly live sessions. You’ll explore topics such as interview preparation, feature writing, and media ethics. You will produce multiple assignments and receive editing feedback from Stanford Daily editors. The program includes a guest speaker series featuring professional journalists. You may have opportunities to publish your work on the newspaper’s website. It’s a structured and selective workshop that introduces you to college-level journalism.
13. Boston University Summer Journalism Academy
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Location: Online
Cost: $1,500
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to July 2025
Application Deadline: Applications open in December 2025 for Summer 2026
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 or graduating seniors
This two-week online academy lets you explore journalism fundamentals from home through daily live classes, writing assignments, and reporting projects. You’ll study topics such as interviewing, ethics, story structure, and writing for web and broadcast under the guidance of professional journalists. During the program, you are likely to complete 3–4 stories, with feedback from an editor and a chance to be published on The Terrier, BU’s student news site. These sessions would also include guest lectures on topics such as media law and radio journalism.
14. Kenyon Review Young Writers Online Workshops
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: $995
Dates: June 15–20 (Summer Online); January 25–March 1 (Winter Online)
Application Deadline: Passed; decisions released in May for summer, March for winter
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally (grades 10–12)
Kenyon Review’s online workshops give you a chance to develop your voice through daily writing sessions, guided readings, and collaborative discussions. These multi-genre workshops focus on poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, making them ideal for you if you are exploring journalism through the medium of narrative or personal writing. You’ll work closely with instructors and peers in a small-group format designed to build both skill and confidence. The sessions will include details about craft talks, daily writing prompts, and feedback circles. Past students have used these workshops to strengthen portfolios for school publications and literary contests. The virtual format makes it accessible even if you want an intensive writing experience without leaving home.
15. Youth Journalism International (YJI) Student Reporter Program
Acceptance rate: Selective; space limited per orientation cycle
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round; orientation sessions held a few times each year
Application Deadline: Currently closed; future sessions open on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Open to students aged 19 or younger worldwide
YJI offers you the opportunity to report on real-world issues, write for a global audience, and receive mentorship from experienced editors. As a student reporter, you’ll propose your own story ideas, interview sources, and publish your work through the YJI platform. Orientation sessions are required before joining and run in cycles throughout the year. If you show initiative, you are likely to be given more opportunities, support, and editorial feedback. The program is entirely virtual and accommodates participants from all over the world. There is no cost to join, and you can build a journalism portfolio through flexible, self-directed contributions.
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