WDET has two daily news and public affairs programs: Created Equal (9-10 a.m.) and The Metro (11 a.m. – noon). The internship for news and talk shows assistant producers is an opportunity to work in the fast-paced, high impact areas of daily news and talk programming. Assistant producers will write for web, social and broadcast at the direction of the producer and senior producer. Interns will gain hands-on experience in public radio, multimedia broadcasting and news and cultural affairs programming.

Learning Objectives

• Produce written and multimedia content for a public media organization
• Prepare for a daily radio show and podcast
• Listener and audience engagement
• Work with a production team

Education or relevant experience

• Preferred education experience includes but is not limited to communications, journalism, broadcast, media, English.
• Photo, video, writing, audio, other media production experience is preferred.

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Working in-person at WDET
• Punctuality

Preferred Qualifications

• Time management
• Organizational skills
• Written publications such as freelance journalism, personal blog
• Familiarity with WDET, public radio, podcasts, news media

Note: Qualified candidates must be available from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The intern in this area will work with professional audio equipment to produce both music and news in a major market. This internship is a great opportunity for students who are pursuing a career in audio arts and have some prior familiarity with operating a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).  They will provide assistance when recording musical groups and interviews.

Learning Objectives

• Develop skills with audio equipment to produce news and music
• Develop audio techniques such as compression, equalization and conversion

Education

• Students pursuing an education in audio and production are encouraged to apply.

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style.
• Attention to detail
• Time Management
• Teamwork
• Open to learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Organizational skills
• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with WDET
• Ability to learn new software applications
• Ability to conduct research on relevant content topics

An intern in the business unit of WDET, will learn skills that are essential in the administration of a public radio station and many other types of business offices. The intern will do data reconciliation, data entry, compile reports and assist with day to day operations of the business office.

Learning Objectives

• Learn day to day business administration functions of WDET and develop an understanding of how it functions within a public university
• Account(s) reconciliation
• Account receivable and payable functions
• Develop an understanding of fiscal operations and budget development/management
• Develop an understanding of grant contract administration

Education

• Students pursuing an education in Business, Marketing and Liberal Arts are encouraged to apply.

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Attention to detail
• Time Management
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Open to learning
• Report Generation
• Data Entry

Preferred Qualifications

• Organizational skills
• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with WDET
• Ability to learn new software applications
• Ability to conduct research

Experience the rush of covering breaking news alongside WDET’s team of award-winning broadcast journalists. Interns are given a foundation in the basics of journalism, with a focus in broadcasting, and the opportunity to gain invaluable real-world experience. Newsroom interns are encouraged to pitch their own stories, build sources across the region, generate headlines, interview newsmakers, report on events, record and edit audio, take photos, create digital posts, engage readers through social media and even produce their own newscasts for WDET.

Learning Objectives

• Reporting for a multimedia newsroom
• Preparing stories for on-air broadcast
• Interviewing and sound gathering
• FOIA requests
• Reviewing public documents
• Fact-checking

Education

Students interested in Journalism, Statistics, Data Analytics, Communications and related areas of studies are encouraged to apply.

Essential Skills

• Open to learning
• A curious mind
• Self-motivated
• Attention to detail
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• A drive for public accountability
• Ability to conduct research

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic computer/software skills
• Familiarity with Metro Detroit
• Knowledge of public and local media
• Understanding of journalistic practices, ethics and core values

The Detroit Evening Report is a daily news podcast designed to serve residents of Detroit and communities of color. We strive to provide timely, tailored and hyperlocal content that is generally not found in mainstream news content. DER interns assist with reporting, producing, and building relationships with community organizations.

Learning Objectives

• Broadcast Newswriting
• Digital Audio Editing
• Studio and Field Recording
• Interviewing
• Voice Training

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Strong Organization skills
• Time Management
• Ability to work with changing demands

Preferred Qualifications

• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with WDET
• Attention to detail
• Ability to conduct research
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Commitment to engage with the public ethically
• Critical thinking
• Curiosity

Reporting interns at WDET spend their time reporting. As Detroit’s NPR station, WDET offers news content that ranges from newscasts to long-form features to podcasts to documentaries. Interns will be trained to conduct interviews, report in the field, write for radio and the web, voice news stories, edit audio and more. Education Reporting interns will assist in covering Southeastern Michigan’s dynamic K- 12 school environment as well as issues in higher education. In addition, the education reporting intern will assist in coordinating WDET’s Homeroom project which works to engage Detroit students as experts and sources in our education coverage.

Learning Objectives

• Broadcast Newswriting
• Digital Audio Editing
• Studio and Field Recording
• Interviewing
• Voice Training
• Project Management
• Source Development

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Strong Organization skills
• Time Management
• Ability to work with changing demands

Preferred Qualifications

• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with WDET
• Attention to detail
• Ability to conduct research
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to work independently and within a team

• Commitment to engage with the public ethically
• Critical thinking
• Curiosity

The Events Coordinator internship opportunity will provide support to the Events Manager and the associated events produced by WDET.

Learning Objectives

• Preparing and executing events
• Budget development and management

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Strong organizational skills
• Works well under pressure
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with computer software such as Microsoft 365 products
• Familiarity with WDET
• Excellent time management
• Flexible
• Attention to detail

A design intern will work closely with the marketing and social media staff to design slide decks, produce various digital and printed materials for events, including but not limited to signage, maps, invitations, and email communications and social media campaigns

Learning Objectives

• Collaborate with staff and help shape the ideal end-user experience
• Produce design deliverables
• Create social media postings
• Track analytics and success on social media posts/releases

Education

• The internship in this area should have a background in Communications, Marketing, Art, or Design

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva
• Experience with Photoshop and Illustrator
• Knowledge of major social media platforms
• Print and digital background

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with WDET
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Attention to detail

A marketing and communication intern will work closely with the Marketing staff to help plan, organize, coordinate and analyze activities identified on the annual marketing and communications plan, as well as special projects in support of WDET listener growth and engagement.  Assignments could include overall brand print material needs,  email campaign management, program or event promotional campaigns, gathering audience, competitive or environmental information for planning and assessment reviews, creating reports and managing traditional media and digital production schedule/calendar.

Learning Objectives

• Collaborate with staff and help shape the WDET campaigns to meet stated objectives and provide an ideal end-user experience
• Knowledge and utilization of WDET brand guidelines
• Coordination of campaign and project schedules to meet deadlines
• Compile and help analyze program/project success across media

Education

• The internship in this area should have a background in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Art or Design

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Cloud is helpful
• Experience with Photoshop and Illustrator
• Knowledge of traditional and digital marketing tools and channels
• Print and digital background

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with WDET
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Attention to detail

If you are interested in gaining experience developing organizational skills and creatively solving problems, this is an opportunity for you. You will work with donors to establish and maintain positive relationships. You will also gain knowledge of how organizations and their external environments function.

Learning Objectives

• Relationship building
• Fundraising
• Gathering and analyzing data

Education

• An applicant should have a background in business administration, management, marketing and/or communications

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation and style
• Teamwork
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to adapt to changing demands

Preferred Qualifications

• Organizational skills
• Customer service experience
• Experience with computer software such as Microsoft 365 products
• Familiarity with WDET
• Familiarity with the public media funding model is a plus
• Ability to learn new software applications

Membership interns gain an opportunity to develop knowledge in the area of philanthropy.  They will participate in fundraisers, member relations and managing donor relationships.

Learning Objectives

• Member interactions – from event activity to telephone contact, including problem-solving  (12 interactions)
• Composition of donor contact reports for the 12 interactions
• Identification of stewardship touchpoints and development of 8 touchpoints
• Knowledge of the revenue streams that comprise Individual Giving    
• Attendance at no less than 2 editorial meetings and 2 OAF meetings to understand the way programming, news and membership work together 

Education

• Students pursuing education in Business, Economics, Marketing, Sales, Communications, and Liberal Arts, are encouraged to apply.

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style.
• Understanding of fundraising and non-profit organizations
• Developing Donor Relationships
• Time Management
• Teamwork
• Online content creation
• Open to learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Organizational skills
• Customer service experience
• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with WDET
• Familiarity with the public broadcast funding model is a plus
• Ability to learn new software applications

Music interns will learn all aspects of how to create a listener-oriented radio program, from concept to completion.

Interns will assist on-air hosts in programing and developing segments, including booking guests, background research, conducting interviews, reviewing music, creating on-air segments, developing web posts, and drafting scripts for on-air broadcasts. 

Learning Objectives

• Dynamic digital audio editing 
• Concise broadcast copywriting 
• Innovation broadcast segment creation 
• Fact checking 
• Engaging interviews 

Education/Experience

• Students currently seeking a bachelor’s degree with interest in pursuing a career in journalism and related areas are encouraged to apply.

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Outgoing/willing to reach out to potential guests  
• Attention to detail 

Preferred Qualifications

• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with WDET
• Audio editing (Adobe Audition, Pro Tools, etc.) 
• Ability to conduct research 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets
• Video editing (e.g., Adobe Premiere, etc.) 

Learning Objectives

• News copywriting
• News selection
• Interviewing
• Fieldwork
• Segments

Education

• Students interested in journalism, communications and related areas of studies are encouraged to apply

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Understanding of journalistic practices, journalistic ethics and public radio’s core values
• Attention to detail
• Self-motivated
• Work under tight deadlines
• Teamwork
• Open to learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Organizational skills
• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with WDET
• Ability to learn new software applications
• Ability to conduct research

The photojournalist intern will play a pivotal role in visually shaping WDET’s editorial content. The photojournalist will be responsible for capturing compelling images across metro Detroit, in-studio guests and at WDET events. These images will be integrated into our editorial and promotional content across all WDET digital platforms, including wdet.org, social media, the WDET mobile app and email marketing campaigns.

Learning Objectives

• Photographing news stories and events
• Utilizing different photography techniques
• Applying editorial best practices when shooting photos

Education

• Journalism, communication, marketing, film and/or theater

Essential Skills

• Experience with photography using DSLR camera
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation and style
• Teamwork
• A willingness to learn from veteran WDET reporters
• Ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with computer software such as Microsoft 365 products
• Video editing skills using Adobe Premiere Pro or similar software
• Familiarity with WDET
• Still and motion photography

Podcast Internships at WDET will provide hands-on experience for interns with a focus on podcast production, editing, distribution, and marketing that align with career goals and previous experience. An intern who completes the Podcast Internship will have an understanding of some combination of the following: producing and editing a podcast, creating marketing and promotion materials, creating web assets including writing web posts, RSS feed descriptions, social media copy.

Learning Objectives

Essential Skills

Preferred Qualifications

If you like work that is different every day, this is the internship opportunity for you. An intern working in Administration at WDET will have the opportunity to develop skills in program administration and project management.  This experience includes working on a variety of new projects, working with diverse groups of people and supporting the Executive Leadership of WDET.

Learning Objectives

• Program Development
• Applicant Screening
• Process & Procedure Development
• Project Management

Education

• Students pursuing an education in Business, Human Resources, Management, Marketing, Public Administration

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Strong Organization skills
• Time Management
• Data analysis
• Ability to work with changing demands

Preferred Qualifications

• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with WDET
• Attention to detail
• Ability to conduct research
• Ability to multi-task

The intern in this area will work with WDET Program Director and other staff to produce new processes and instruments of data collection, collation, and analysis to help increase intelligence for programming decisions. This internship is a great opportunity for students who are pursuing a career in statistics/mathematics for business or cultural organization. Qualified candidates will have education in statistics and data analysis.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to translate organizational objectives into customized processes for data collection and analysis.
• Learn about radio and media metrics, learn how to develop strategies for integrating datapoints across traditional and digital media platforms.

Education

• Probability and Statistics, Mathematics, Data Analytics, Business Administration

Essential Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation and style

Teamwork

Open to learning

Strong grasp of data collation tools including MS Excel, and other data visualization software systems

Skill with creating efficient systems for automating data intake, collation and reporting

Preferred Qualifications

• Skilled with MS Office Suite
• Familiarity with WDET
• Familiarity with radio and or media metrics is a plus

Learning Objectives

• Writing news for the ear
• Story selection
• Interviewing
• Fieldwork
• On-air performance

Education

• Students interested in journalism, communications and related areas of studies are encouraged to apply

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Understanding of journalistic practices, journalistic ethics and public radio’s core values
• Attention to detail
• Self-motivated
• Work under tight deadlines
• Teamwork
• A drive for public service

Preferred Qualifications

• Organizational skills
• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with public radio
• Ability to learn new software applications
• Ability to conduct research

For this internship you will learn how to report audio stories for broadcast radio, podcasts and the web. You will also use engagement to bolster and promote WDET’s connection with the community.

Learning Objectives

• Record audio in the field and in the studio
• Conduct “person on the street” reporting
• Publish web stories for WDET using a WordPress CMS
• Learn how to edit audio using Audition software
• Learn how to voice audio
• Promote podcast episodes and engage with audience

Requirements:

There are no specific education requirement. However, applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Must be able to read out loud and not sound like you’re reading.
• Be comfortable using computers, basic software and google online applications
• Most be willing to approach and call strangers

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with WDET
• Familiarity with audio documentary storytelling from listening to WDET, NPR or sound-rich narrative podcasts (or willingness to study up fast)
• Ability to read out loud without sounding like you’re reading
• Applicant does not need to own a vehicle but they do need to be able to get to/from reporting assignments
• Familiarity with social media
• Ties to the City of Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park

As a public radio station, WDET believes that it is important to reflect the communities we serve in our programming, staff, and leadership.

Learning Objectives

• Operate station equipment
• Run Emergency Alert System tests
• Maintain studio sound boards and auxiliary equipment
• Program, maintain and pull audio from NPR Content Depot and PRX web portal

Education

• An applicant should have some background in communications, telecommunications, electronics, engineering, mathematics or other technology-related field of study

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation and style
• Teamwork
• Open to learning
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with computer software such as Microsoft 365 products
• Familiarity with WDET
• Problem solving skills

Learning Objectives

• Develop knowledge of market research
• Gain an understanding of the role of social media in sales
• Gain knowledge of public radio marketing

Education

• Students pursuing an education in Business, Marketing and Liberal Arts are encouraged to apply.

Essential Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
• Attention to detail
• Time Management
• Teamwork
• Open to learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Organizational skills
• Computer/software skills
• Familiarity with WDET
• Ability to learn new software applications
• Ability to conduct research
• Proficient with spreadsheet programs
• Experience “cold-calling” to initiate sales or to follow-up on behalf of someone else