Thank you for your interest in interning with Street Sense Media! We are a small nonprofit media center that offers a limited number of unpaid internships for people interested in getting journalism experience on the front lines of combating homelessness and poverty in our nation’s capital.
We operate winter/spring, summer, and fall internship programs. The deadline to apply for each is below:
Winter/Spring: Dec. 1 | Summer: April 15 | Fall: Aug. 1
Internship positions are geared toward, but not limited to, college students and recent graduates. Most Street Sense internships are unpaid, but we’re happy to work with you for academic credit. Full position descriptions are below. Each internship lasts for three to four months. We value diverse skill sets and experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, especially if you have lived experience with homelessness.
Street Sense Media interns have pursued careers in journalism, education, social work, communications, community organizing, nonprofit management, and more. Here are just some of the companies they have gone on to work with:
Journalism
As an Editorial Intern, you’ll report news in D.C. and the surrounding suburbs: from attending hearings at city hall to attending encampment closures to interviewing local celebrities. You will develop your own beat and get practice in finding, pitching, and reporting out stories, of which you’ll write between 5-15 during the semester. You will have the opportunity to leave a real mark with your work. If you want to see what interns do, you can look at our recent news – at least half was written by interns!
While we do not have a specific photo position, photography skills are highly valued, and editorial interns may focus on reporting through photography or working with other interns to tell stories visually.
On top of the reporting and production experience, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with mentors and training opportunities on topics such as interview skills, data visualization, public records, and media law.
Editorial intern candidates can also apply for the Michael Stoops Fellowship, a paid position offered based on available funding. Fellows are asked to dedicate at least 15 hours a week to the internship.
View the full position description. Please send your resume, cover letter, and three work samples to [email protected] with the subject line “[Desired Semester and Year] Editorial Intern.”
Graphic Design
As a Graphic Design Intern, you’ll drive our visual communications. Your focus will be the layout for our bi-weekly paper and cover page design. However, you will also be called upon for key projects such as materials for our annual fundraiser, and expanding our online presence. You will be asked to adhere to brand standards while simultaneously strategizing to reach a broader audience and continuing to develop our aesthetic.
Familiarity with Adobe InDesign is highly recommended.
View the full position description. Please send your resume, cover letter, and three portfolio samples (or link to an online gallery) to [email protected] with the subject line “[Desired Semester & Year] Graphic Design Intern.”
Social Media/Web
As a Social Media/Web Intern, you’ll drive our online presence. Your focus will be adapting stories for the web and sharing news and art stories across a range of platforms. However, you will also be called upon for key campaigns such as promoting our workshops, fundraisers, and special projects, and expanding our online presence. You will be asked to adhere to brand standards while simultaneously strategizing to reach a broader audience.
View the full position description. Please send your resume, cover letter, and three examples of relevant work to [email protected] with the subject line “[Desired Semester & Year] Social Media Intern.”
Case Management
As a Case Management Intern, you will be responsible for monitoring and organizing client cases in a team–oriented environment. You will be directly involved in the lives of clients and vendors to provide resources and assistance to help achieve short- and long-term goals. You must be highly organized, empathetic, compassionate, nonjudgmental, and eager to help vulnerable adults. You will be under the supervision of the director of programs. This position is on-site only. SSM complies with DC government protocols. Additional PPE can be provided if requested.
View the full position description. Please send your resume, 2-3 references, and cover letter to [email protected].
