WBAL-TV Internship Program
WBAL-TV 11 recruits students for our 12-week paid internship program, which provides a hands-on professional learning experience. The WBAL-TV Internship Program is administered through group video conferences and individual in-person shadowing experiences.
Qualifications: Ambitious, creative and energetic students should have some classroom experience in broadcast journalism, and preferably some knowledge of a television newsroom.
- Excellent communication, organizational and writing skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong critical thinking and troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to demonstrate good judgment, resourcefulness, confidence.
- Possess a positive, professional attitude.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Adobe Premiere Pro.
- Possess the ability to pay close attention to detail.
Internship Program Dates
Spring 2025 Session
- Applications accepted: Nov. 15, 2024 - Dec. 15, 2024
- Session: Feb. 17 to April 30, 2025
Summer 2025 Session
- Applications accepted: March 10 - May 5, 2025
- Session: June 2 to Aug. 8, 2025
Fall 2025 Session
- Application Deadline: June 16 - Aug. 5, 2025
- Session: Sept. 8 to Nov. 19, 2025
*Dates are subject to change
Hiring decisions are made within one month of the application deadline.
Students must have junior, senior or graduate studies level status to apply. Applicants should e-mail a resume and a cover letter to Jerome Chester, Director of Programming and Public Affairs, at [email protected]. The cover letter should include:
- Preferred semester (i.e. spring, summer or fall)
- Department preference
- Available start and end dates
- Days and hours available to intern
Tap here to apply for the Spring 2025 session
The WBAL-TV Internship Program is designed to help aspiring multimedia professionals gain comprehensive knowledge of the television station through its daily operations in the following departments:
NEWS
WBAL-TV 11 News is Live. Local. Latebreaking. The 11 News team brings to Baltimore an in-depth look at today's top local, national and international news. The WBAL-TV news team develops local stories that provide a balance of latebreaking national news that affects Marylanders. Viewers get important breaking health news, consumer and education alerts, plus personal interest stories.
Interns are introduced to every aspect of news operation, within a structured and supervised environment -- observing, learning and participating at the assignment desk, as well as producing and writing, photography and editing for newscasts. Interns also work closely with reporters, assignment desk editors and producers with the goal of producing, writing and presenting a news package.
BUSINESS/HUMAN RESOURCES
The Business and Human Resources Office handles all financial reporting, accounting, payroll, and human resources matters at the station. Interns will learn of the inner workings of this department through an interactive seminar with the department manager.
CREATIVE SERVICES
The Creative Services Department is the marketing arm of WBAL-TV. The talented staff in this department produces top quality on-air promotions for local news and programming. The department strategically creates campaigns and promotional materials that capture the attention of our viewers and highlights our award-winning station.
The WBAL-TV Internship Program will allow you to learn firsthand the operation of promoting news stories and observing and trying your hand at the process of post-production in the Adobe Premiere editing suite. Learn the art of field producing with our experienced photographers and producers.
ENGINEERING/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The Engineering/IT Department staff members are the stewards and operators of all technical equipment and systems that make WBAL-TV function efficiently and smoothly. A very wide variety of systems and hardware are used in a TV station that range from desktop and laptop computers; broadcast transmitters and towers; microwave and satellite trucks; graphics engines; video recording, routing, switching, playback and distribution; networking hardware; automation storage and playback; robotic cameras; facility infrastructure; satellite uplinks and downlinks; studio and field lighting; microphones and other audio systems.
Interns will be able to observe the design, planning, installation, use and repair of these systems and more.
PROGRAMMING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The Programming & Public Affairs Department is responsible for coordinating relationships between WBAL-TV and community organizations. The department is often serves as the vocal representation for the station and the station's network partners to viewers. The Programming & Public Affairs Department produces the weekly editorials and public affairs programming. The department is also responsible for securing and scheduling local, network and syndicated programs.
Interns will learn how to communicate and work with community and corporate business partners and organizations, interact with viewers and disseminate vital information to viewers. Interns will also experience writing doing research for and producing local special programming. Interns will also learn FCC regulations regarding PSAs, children's programming and other regulatory processes.
SALES AND MARKETING
Interns are involved in every aspect of the sales process including research and marketing. Special projects may involve competitor analysis, research analysis, using spreadsheets and keeping track of resource materials. Opportunities to be involved in station sponsored community events where the Sales Department is involved. Interns will also have an opportunity to work with sales and marketing professionals, attend sales presentations and gain first-hand knowledge of how the sales process works. Internet and Microsoft Office skills required.
Interns will receive firsthand experience in conducting a sales pitch, creating media kits, understanding television rating and how it affects the cost of advertising. You will also learn through marketing how to effectively create promotional opportunities for clients.