The Dallas Morning News Internship: A Comprehensive Guide

The Dallas Morning News, a leading newspaper in Texas, offers a variety of internships for aspiring journalists and media professionals. These internships provide invaluable experience and insight into the daily operations of a major news organization. This article will provide a detailed overview of the internship program, covering eligibility, application requirements, available positions, and the overall intern experience.

Overview of the Internship Program

The Dallas Morning News internship program is highly regarded, offering interns a realistic experience of working as full-time staffers. Interns are integrated into the newsroom culture and given opportunities to contribute to active stories that are published in print and online under their own names. The program aims to provide crucial experience and insight into a journalist's career and daily responsibilities.

The program includes mentorship efforts, welcoming interns as members of the DMN family. The summer program typically starts with a bus tour of Dallas led by a local columnist. Newsroom members also conduct training sessions on essential skills such as backgrounding story subjects and utilizing social media effectively. Interns also have opportunities to interact with senior leadership.

Internship Positions Available

The Dallas Morning News offers internships in a variety of departments, including:

Local News: Interns will be assigned a variety of reporting tasks focused on events in and around North Texas.
Business: Interns gain exposure to business news reporting.
Features: Interns work on feature writing and storytelling.
Editorial: Interns contribute to the editorial section of the newspaper.
Sports: The sports internship typically takes place in the fall.
Copy Editing: Interns assist with copy editing tasks.
Photography: Interns work alongside experienced photographers.
Digital Design/Data: Interns contribute to digital design and data-related projects.
Audience: Interns focus on audience engagement strategies.

Internships are also available at the Washington, D.C., bureau and at the Spanish-language publication, Al Día. The Washington internship requires applicants to be college graduates with previous experience covering politics or government.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an internship at The Dallas Morning News, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled in college and working toward a degree (associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate).
Graduation: Alternatively, applicants may have graduated within six months of the internship start date.
Experience: Previous daily newspaper experience is requested.

Application Requirements

All applicants must submit the following materials through the online application link for each internship:

Cover Letter: A cover letter expressing interest in the specific internship and highlighting relevant skills and experiences.
Résumé: A résumé outlining educational background, work experience, and skills.
References: Three references reachable by phone.
Writing Samples: Most positions require additional materials, such as writing samples.
Published Clips: The Reporting Internship requires 3-5 published clips.

The application deadline is typically in late October or early November. For example, applications were due by November 1, 2019.

Expectations and Responsibilities

Interns at The Dallas Morning News are treated like full-time staffers and are expected to adhere to the same journalistic standards, quality guidelines, and ethics. This includes:

Professional Decorum: Maintaining professional decorum in dress, promptness, and courtesy.
AP Style: Having a basic knowledge of AP style.
Social Media: Being able to use social media in their work.
Language Skills: The ability to speak another language is helpful.
Digital Media: Familiarity with digital media is required.

Interns will be assigned to report, write, blog, photograph, and edit active stories that will be slated for publication in print and/or online under their own names. Some interns could be asked to cover a narrowly focused beat.

Read also: DCS Tuition Information

Compensation and Schedule

Interns are paid for their work. For example, interns were paid $15 an hour for a 40-hour work week for 10 to 12 weeks in the past. Currently, interns are paid $18 an hour for a 40-hour workweek for 10 to 12 weeks. They are eligible for overtime but not for holiday pay unless they are scheduled to work.

The standard workweek is Monday-Friday, but some weekend, night, and holiday shifts may be required. Interns are also expected to attend brown bag sessions, the intern bus tour, the intern reception, and the publisher's luncheon.

Housing and Transportation

The Dallas Morning News does not provide housing for interns or pay a housing stipend, but they will assist them in finding reliable housing. Paying rent and fulfilling lease requirements are the responsibility of the interns. A vehicle in good working condition is strongly recommended.

Notification and Feedback

The Dallas Morning News aims to notify applicants of their hiring status early in the new year. While they are unable to provide individualized feedback on decisions, they greatly appreciate the interest and effort each applicant brings.

Additional Opportunities

Interns are allowed to work in different departments than the ones in which they applied for brief periods with the permission of supervisors. Internships may be extended when necessary at the discretion of The Dallas Morning News. Interns who have completed their degree are welcome to apply for permanent jobs, although The News generally requires a minimum of three years' experience for most newsroom positions.

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