The Nation Institute Journalism Internship Program

For more than two decades The Nation Institute, in conjunction with The Nation magazine, has provided a practical and comprehensive intern program at their offices in New York City for college students and recent graduates interested in magazine journalism and publishing.

The Nation Institute is a nonprofit foundation that supports research, debates, educational programs and independent media with an emphasis on social justice and civil liberties. The Nation, America's oldest weekly magazine, is a journal of politics and culture that focuses primarily on foreign and domestic policy, civil liberties, literature and the arts.

To gain editorial experience interns check facts, conduct research and evaluate manuscripts. On the publishing side interns assist advertising, circulation and promotion staff with day-to-day business, and help create and carry out developmental and research projects for the magazine and the Institute. Intern duties also include filing, photocopying, running errands and other routine office work.

One intern in the New York City office works as the Web Intern. This position requires an interest and understanding of online media in addition to news judgment, fact-checking and copy-editing skills. The position also entails updating TheNation.com's Newsfeed, which requires a wide reading of news on the web and the ability to pick stories of high integrity and reader interest from a variety of blogs. Candidates interested in this internship should indicate that in their cover letter.

An additional position is available in The Nation's Washington, D.C. office. This intern works closely with the magazine's Washington editor, attending press conferences and Congressional hearings as well as conducting research and providing clerical assistance. Candidates interested in this position should clearly indicate this in their cover letter.

The Nation Institute separately offers an internship position for qualified Hispanic or Latino candidates. If interested, please see the description of the Spira Lopez Internship on this website.

Educational seminars are another important part of the program in New York. Authors, politicians, journalists and activists regularly come by our offices to provide insight on their work and world affairs. Recent guests have included Calvin Trillin, Joan Didion, Patricia Williams, Nation Institute Fellow Jonathan Schell, and United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications Shashi Tharoor. Nation and Nation Institute staff members also hold seminars on editorial and publishing skills.

The internship is full time, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., five days a week. There are ten intern positions during each session (nine in New York, including the Spira-Lopez intern and two Web Interns, and one in Washington).

Qualifications: Applicants must have completed their junior year of college. Each applicant will be evaluated on the basis of his or her resum�, recommendations and writing samples.

Credit and Compensation: Whenever possible, The Nation Institute will assist interns in arranging for academic or work-study credit. The internship provides a stipend of $150/week.

Application Procedure: Please send a cover letter describing your career goals and indicating your interest in The Nation and The Nation Institute. Include a resume, two letters of recommendation and two writing samples. Published clips are preferred, though academic papers and creative writing samples are acceptable (no longer than eight pages, please).

All application materials become the property of The Nation Institute. Faxes and e-mails are not acceptable. Please send the above material and address all inquires to:

Max Fraser
Internship Program Director
116 East 16th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10003
212-209-5419
E-mail: max@nationinstitute.org

Deadlines and Duration of Program:

Spring 2008
Application deadline: November 16, 2007
Notification deadline: December 3, 2007
Program duration: January 8 - May 23, 2008

Summer 2008
Application deadline: March 1, 2008
Notification deadline: April 15, 2008
Program duration: June 10 - August 22, 2008

Fall 2008
Application deadline: June 16, 2008
Notification deadline: July 15, 2008
Program duration: September 9 - December 19, 2008

The Nation Institute is an equal opportunity employer.