STUDENTS: Apply now for WTJU summer 2026 internships!
By WTJU
Each summer, WTJU hires paid student interns to produce lots of radio / podcast segments, tell interesting stories through our archives, run tech for live music performances, get experience in professional media and communications, and lead our summer youth radio camps.
WTJU summer internships are full-time (35 hours/week) positions for 9 – 11 weeks, and interns are paid $16/hour. Interns will be assigned to a WTJU staff member who will serve as their mentor and direct supervisor.
To ensure consideration, submit our online application form by the early deadline of 11:59pm Wednesday, February 4.
No previous experience is required, though it doesn’t hurt. But if you’ve never done media production before, we’ll teach you. The key requirements for this internship are that you are dependable, genuinely curious, and communicate well.
If any positions remain unfilled, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after February 4.
WTJU internships are open to all current undergraduates.
TO APPLY:
Polish your resume and prepare answers to our application questions. Optional: you can also submit writing and/or audio production samples for our consideration.
Complete your application by filling out THIS ONLINE FORM.
FAQ below. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to email us at wtjuinternships@virginia.edu.
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WTJU SUMMER INTERNSHIPS FAQ
What do WTJU Interns do?
- Research, interview, record and edit on-air segments including daily local news and weekly arts coverage.
- Unearth, catalogue, research, and select materials from our print, audiovisual, and digital archive in preparation for a digital exhibit celebrating our 70th anniversary and telling the story of WTJU’s history in the local music scene.
- Mix, sound engineer, and video engineer live concerts and archived recordings at WTJU.
- Work on podcasts like Arts This Week. Interns pitch and conduct interviews, cut tape, research, and score & mix audio pieces for these shows.
- Lead WTJU’s summer radio camps.
- Direct WTJU’s High School Summer DJ program.
- Hone communications skills by creating and producing short-form video segments and other promotions.
- Work on personal projects under the supervision of a staff mentor, as time allows.
What’s the time period?
Total of 9 – 11 weeks. Interns start on Tuesday, May 26 and must be present the first week for training. Interns must stay through at least July 24 and are welcome to continue working as late as August 7.
You said paid?
Yep. It’s a job. 35 hours expected each week. Any current undergraduate student is welcome to apply (even those graduating in May).
What happens after I submit my application?
WTJU staff will begin reviewing all applications starting the week of February 5. To ensure consideration, please apply by 11:59pm on Monday, February 4.
Is there anything that will help my application?
As noted above, the key criteria are that you are dependable, genuinely curious, and communicate well. Experience with media production helps. Experience teaching and/or working with kids helps. Understanding WTJU’s programming and values helps.
What have past interns taken away from the experience?
Here are a few select testimonials from recent WTJU summer interns:
- “I loved the diversity of skills I got to work on and the window into the world of Charlottesville culture and music that it provided.”
- “I loved how much I was able to learn in such a short time.”
- “I came into this internship without many technical editing skills and I felt very supported by my peers and supervisors.”
- “I was able to develop a strong foundation to pursue a subject I am really passionate about. I now know which direction to go next.”
What kind of future jobs do WTJU interns get?
All sorts of things, of course. Some recent WTJU interns now work at PBS NewsHour, NPR’s Morning Edition, VPM, audio/video production companies, in music journalism, and more.
Is there a remote option for internships?
WTJU internships are primarily in-person. That said, a bit of work-from-home audio production work may be doable in extenuating circumstances.
I really like kids and want to help with camps, but I’m tied up part of the summer. Can I work on just the camps?
Email us at wtjuinternships@virginia.edu and let’s talk.
I still have questions!
No problem. Email us at wtjuinternships@virginia.edu.
