2026 Summer Internship Program
Get your foot in the door to impactful, local journalism by joining our Pulitzer prize-winning family of journalists this summer.
The McClatchy Summer News Internship Program offers 10-week, paid opportunities to more than 70 students and recent graduates in various areas of news across the country, including at the Miami Herald, Kansas City Star and the Sacramento Bee. Interns will gain hands-on experience in roles such as reporter, visual storyteller, opinion writer or audience/digital media specialist and will be integrated into the team as full-fledged members of the newsroom. Each intern will gain mentorship, personalized coaching and training, as well as a chance to work alongside some of the best local reporters and editors in the business. The program also includes weekly skills training sessions and networking opportunities. We are looking for determined, curious self-starters with a demonstrated passion about local journalism and eagerness to pursue a career in news. If that sounds like you, keep reading!
How to apply
You can find the full list of summer internship opportunities across our 30 markets by visiting our McClatchy careers page and entering keyword “intern.” To apply, select the link to the internship at the market(s) you’d like to be considered for (you may apply to more than one market). Review the application instructions in the job description carefully and submit all required materials for full consideration.
What happens next
While application deadlines can vary across markets, in general, our summer internship application period ranges from early October to late December, so that is when applicants should aim to get all their materials in.
Between November and March, newsroom hiring managers will review applications and begin callbacks for interviews. Applicants can expect to receive updates directly from the hiring team only if they are selected for a callback. Finalists should be notified by the market editor or internship coordinator of final decisions between mid-March and early May, with some variation depending on market size and need.
HBCU News Internship Initiatives
Visit our HBCU Internship page to learn more about our HBCU initiative programs including our HBCU News Internship and HBCU Development Internship and deadlines.
Please note: Open application periods will vary by market. You can find specific deadlines and other market-specific details by clicking on the internship description for each market on the McClatchy careers page.
See what our past interns have to say
“I'm really grateful for this opportunity. Reporting in a small, but tight-knit community has changed my perspective on journalism in a positive way. I hope to continue to build on what I've learned here, and share my experiences with other students at my school."
“I am always eager to learn more, especially in a fast-paced industry like this, and having editors and reporters in the newsroom who were genuinely invested in my success empowered me to work hard and keep improving. Everyone was welcoming and engaged in my ideas and contributions to the team. I felt part of the newsroom with the support I received and the collaboration that occurred all summer."
“My time at the Sacramento Bee has been an amazing stepping stone for my career. I now have dozens of bylines and a lot more confidence that I can succeed in the newsroom. I was able to hone my writing and reporting skills during this internship and make more connections across McClatchy. Lastly, my time at the Sac Bee helped me land a full-time position at the SLO Tribune. I am very excited to continue reporting for this company and telling important stories for local California communities.”
“I grew so much over one summer and learned how to streamline my journalistic process particularly by getting much better at making phone calls, confidence in how I carry myself as a reporter when doing interviews and attending community meetings and overcoming my fears of writing under pressure. These are just a few examples of how I grew from an anxious student journalist to a full-time reporter comfortable with managing several stories at once and developing my professional persona. I finished my internship with much more confidence with the help and support of a really kind and patient editor and newsroom community.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the duration and compensation for the McClatchy internship program?
The McClatchy internship program is a 10-week, paid internship. Interns receive an hourly wage, which varies by market.
- Who is eligible to apply for the internship program?
The program is open to students and recent graduates who are authorized to work in the U.S. Most positions require on-site work, so applicants should be prepared to work at the location where the internship is offered. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application to qualify.
- Where are the internship positions available?
Internships are offered at all 30 of McClatchy's news outlets across the country, from Sacramento to Miami. You can apply to any of these locations based on your preference and availability.
- What is the application deadline?
Internship opportunities are posted individually by each market and the submission deadlines will also vary by market, but in general, our open application period ranges from early October to the end of November. For more information about the timelines of individual markets, you can reach out to recruitment@mcclatchy.com.
- When will I be notified about the status of my application?
Because of the very high number of internship applicants, the selection process can take some considerable time, and our hiring team will only follow up directly with those candidates we seek to advance. When the hiring manager wishes to move forward with an interview, the candidate will be notified. While the timeline on selection for individual markets will vary, in general, most final decisions will be made by the end of April. For questions, you can contact the recruitment team at recruitment@mcclatchy.com.
- What kind of training and support can interns expect?
Interns will participate in weekly training sessions and will be assigned a senior-level mentor. This mentorship provides coaching, professional guidance, and networking opportunities. Interns will also have the chance to learn about potential full-time opportunities within McClatchy's 30 news markets.
- Are the internships remote or in-person?
While a select few internship opportunities will be remote, most positions will require on-site work at the respective news outlets. Details about remote options, if available, will be provided in the internship listing.
- I’ve interned with a McClatchy news outlet previously. Am I still eligible to apply again?
Yes, individuals who have previously interned with us are still eligible to apply again. We love helping interns grow and develop in this field and encourage previous interns, who are able, to consider applying to a market they haven’t previously worked in to broaden their experience.
- What are McClatchy hiring managers seeking in candidates?
We recognize that internships can often be the first foray into full-time professional reporting experience and every applicant brings something unique to the table. In your cover letter, be sure to highlight those unique experiences and perspectives. We also want to see you demonstrate an aptitude for reporting and AP style along with a sincere interest in community coverage; and enterprise. Work that displays curiosity, professionalism, a real drive to go the extra mile for answers and versatility is going to stand out.