Business and Production Summer Internships

The Washington Post offers summer internships to college-level students in most of our business departments (Accounting, Advertising, Marketing, Circulation, Production Human Resources, etc.).

Below are frequently asked questions that provide an overview of our program. If you are interested in applying to our Internship Program, click the link below and follow the instructions.

Our application deadline is March 15.

For information on how to apply for a business-side internship at The Post, click here.

The Post Newsroom also offers a separate summer internship program.

FAQs

How do I apply?

Information about the application process can be found here.

If selected, will I be paid?

Yes, interns are paid on a sliding scale depending upon the number of college years completed. Generally, this is between $11 and $15 per hour.

If all intern program slots are full, can I do an unpaid internship?

No. It is the policy of The Washington Post to pay every single person who works for us. There are no exceptions to this policy.

What is the length of the internship?

Generally, our internships begin the first full week in June. All internships are approximately 12 weeks and wrap up towards the end of August.

Which departments can I work in?

Although specific intern assignments vary from year to year, there are generally multiple slots available in the following departments: Accounting, Advertising, Circulation, Human Resources, Marketing, Production and Public Relations. In your cover letter, you should be very specific about the departments in which you would like to work.  Please specify your first and second choices.

Does The Post have internships at any other time during the year?

No. However, some interns return to temporary assignments during their winter and spring breaks.

Is The Post accessible by public transportation or will I need a car?

The Post’s downtown offices are a short walk from the Red, Orange and Blue lines on the Metro (subway). In addition, there are numerous bus routes with stops in the immediate area. Please keep in mind that The Post does not provide parking for interns.

Does The Post assist in finding housing for interns?

The Post’s Classified section and Apartment listings are the best place to look for area housing; craigslist.org is another good resource. While our intern coordinators are happy to provide some guidance, interns must ultimately make their own housing arrangements.

What do interns actually do?

Depending on the department and the project scope, interns may be assigned general departmental duties or given in-depth projects.

What else does the intern program offer?

Interns on the business side interact across departments in a number of ways outside their daily assignments. Interns attend an orientation on the first day and receive a tour of one of our printing plants during the first two weeks of the program.  Weekly  “Brown Bag” lunches with guest speakers and other programs provide additional intern program experiences as well as an understanding of The Washington Post history and operations.  Also, group projects designed specifically for our business interns promote teamwork and interdepartmental communication.

What experience do those who are selected have?

Interns will be selected based upon personal interviews, related coursework, prior internships and work experience. Previous experience at a newspaper is not required. Our business-side intern program is very competitive with more than 300 resumes received for the 2005 summer program.

When are selections made?

After the March 15 application deadline, a select group of candidates is asked to come in for interviews. Final selections are generally made in late April or early May.