The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel offers a limited number of paid, immersive internships each year. Journal Sentinel interns work for one of the country’s leading regional news organizations, in a vibrant, welcoming newsroom.
Applications are currently closed.
Program details
What kinds of internships we offer
Interns typically work in one of these departments:
About the program
This is a robust internship program with a history of success. Personal editing and mentoring are provided in a supportive environment with national award-winning journalists. Interns develop strong relationships that lead to career coaching and recommendations for years to come.
The Journal Sentinel and its predecessors have won a combined eight Pulitzer Prizes. The staff also has won numerous national awards for investigative, explanatory, business, sports, feature, and breaking news journalism. Editors and reporters have connections around the country.
The Journal Sentinel is owned by Gannett Co., the largest newspaper publisher in the United States. Milwaukee is the flagship of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, which includes the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Appleton Post-Crescent and eight other news organizations in the central and eastern part of the state.
Questions?
Read about the intern program in this column by Senior Editor Tom Koetting, who has coordinated the internship program since joining the Journal Sentinel in 1997.
Reach out to mjsinternships@gannett.com.
What past Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interns say about working with us
Jennifer Sawhney (2022 intern, Arizona State University)
Latino Communities Reporter, The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, CA
“My experience at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was such a welcome entry into the world of journalism. Editors, reporters, photographers, copy desk, digital desk, and all the staff took time to impart knowledge and spend time with the interns. We were their colleagues, and they treated us as such. We were expected to do the work, but also treated with grace as we navigated this terrain. I couldn’t speak more highly about the experience, skills, and memories I carry with me years after that amazing summer.”
Isaac Yu (2022 intern, Yale University)
Politics reporter, Houston Chronicle / San Antonio Express-News, Austin, TX
“Interning at the Journal Sentinel convinced me that journalism was the right career for me. Everyone in the newsroom was so willing to mentor me and collaborate on stories, so I got to work on a wide range of stories. The team has so many years of experience handling interns and know exactly how to help you make the most of your time there. Do yourself a favor and spend a summer in Wisconsin — you won’t regret it!”
Sophia Vento (2023 intern, University of Wisconsin)
Associate Editor, The Hill, Washington D.C.
“Journal Sentinel interns are full-time reporters – running around City Hall, cultivating relationships with everyday Milwaukeeans, questioning local officials. It’s done with support from a world-class editing and reporting staff, guiding interns every step of the way through profound mentorship, seasoned advice, and thoughtful editing. Interns work hard developing beats, sourcing, and writing — but most important they grow as thoughtful, dogged reporters ready to take on our ever-changing media landscape where telling local stories is more important than ever.”
Patricia McKnight (2020 intern, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
Campaign Editor, Medscape/WedMD
“The Journal Sentinel’s internship is more than just a learning experience – it’s a launchpad for your career. I gained hands-on experience in research, writing, and editing – skills that have been invaluable in my current role as editor for a medical news organization. I worked alongside talented journalists who mentored me with kindness and patience. The internship honed my technical skills and taught me the importance of storytelling, critical thinking, and attention to detail. I had the opportunity to work on various projects, from in-depth features to breaking news stories, which landed me a full-time position before my internship even finished. I’m forever grateful, and I’m confident you will be too.”
Brittany Trang (2021 intern, Northwestern University)
Health Tech reporter / STAT News, Columbus, OH
“My time at the Journal Sentinel changed my life. I went from a scientist to someone who had experience interviewing both people on the street and astrophysicists, and writing everything from quick-turn news to enterprise. I also learned for the first time that a good editor can figure out exactly what you are trying to say, rather than just making changes. Seeing how dedicated the Journal Sentinel staff is to the Milwaukee community inspired me and taught me so much about why journalism is important.”
Wynton Jackson (2024 intern / Hampton University)
Senior, Hampton University, Hampton, VA
“An internship with the Sports desk at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is nothing short of transformational. The JS has a unique position in its ability to cover high-level high school, collegiate, and professional sports all at once, and an internship takes full advantage of those opportunities. One day, you’re covering a state championship in high school soccer, and the next, you’re in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse gathering interviews from the best players Major League Baseball has to offer. With an experienced editorial staff and supportive journalists, an internship at the JS is second to none.”
Sami West (2018 intern / University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire)
Online editor/reporter, KUOW Public Radio, Seattle, WA
“Every single day was an adventure. I chased stories – big and small – that took me from the Courthouse to scenes of shootings to Milwaukee’s iconic Summerfest to a cottage in Wisconsin’s Northwoods that belonged to former Mayor Daniel Hoan. Six years later, I still think all the time about those stories, those experiences, and the invaluable writing and reporting skills I developed. It was the best kickstart to my journalism career I could have ever asked for, and I am forever grateful to the editors and reporters who took me under their wing.”
Julia Martins de Sa (2021 intern / Ohio University)
Creative Content Specialist, Guilford Technical Community College, Greensboro, NC
“Working as a summer photography intern opened the world of journalism to me. I gained invaluable experience working on strict deadlines and communicating effectively with both the subjects and our team at MJS. I became familiar with the ins and outs of a newspaper and was lucky to work with such talented photographers and other journalists. I couldn’t be more grateful for the guidance, patience, and overall support I received. The connections I forged and the progress I made have proven vital in my career post-college.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How to apply for reporting, video, photography internships at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Reporting by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
