News Intern - Charlotte Observer bei The Charlotte Observer

Join The Charlotte Observer’s newsroom as a paid intern in summer 2026 working with our exceptional team of journalists in a vibrant city. From Day 1 of your internship, you will be welcomed as part of The Charlotte Observer staff. We expect our interns to work as beginning professionals from their first day: to report, shoot, or produce stories ready to be edited for digital publication on multiple platforms.

We hire for positions on various desks, including visuals, sports, business, breaking news, government, and audience engagement.

Through training opportunities scheduled during the work day, you’ll have access to sessions with experienced journalists and learn about topics such as reporting and writing news stories, researching public documents, working on deadlines, and understanding libel law. Each intern works with a mentor and can expect regular feedback and coaching from their editor. We are committed, across our newsroom, to helping interns develop as journalists.

As a news intern, you can expect to:
Be treated like a staff member, whether you are working as a reporter, visual storyteller, or audience / social media specialist.
You will be assigned to a senior-level mentor during the internship and will receive coaching, training, and mentoring.
Work with seasoned staffers and work directly with local leaders.

About The Charlotte Observer:
Join the newsroom that exposed the state medical examiner’s office for a severe backlog of autopsies resulting in crippling delays in death certificates and life insurance payouts. The Observer newsroom revisited in critical detail a largely forgotten plane crash in Charlotte that killed 72 people on Sept. 11, 1974. The Observer places a premium on breaking stories first, holding elected officials to account, and explaining complex yet essential news developments to our readers.

Previous experience reporting and/or producing for a student or professional news publication is required. This internship program involves on-site work, so interns should be prepared to live near the location of the Observer newsroom.

Qualifications include:
A collaborative work ethic and a strong desire to learn.
Deep curiosity and a drive to find the truth.
Solid news judgment, accuracy, and high ethical standards.
Understanding of the professional use of social media in news-gathering and audience development.
A quick study of technology and tools used in news-gathering.
Experience working at a college publication, print or online, or another news outlet.

To apply: Please upload a persuasive cover letter, resume, and 3-5 samples of your best news-related work. Incomplete applications may not be given full consideration.

Deadline: 7 p.m. EDT Dec. 5, 2025, but we encourage you to apply early.

For questions, contact McClatchy Deputy Director of News Talent Acquisition & Development Rhema Bland at [email protected].

About McClatchy:
Our impact is growing every day. 30 developing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 57 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger.

As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth—a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re overgrowing in the digital space and innovatively delivering award-winning journalism.

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