The WNPA Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to journalism education, offers a paid internship appropriate for political science and journalism students. 2009 is the third time it has been offered (it is offered in alternate years).
We are working to broaden the base of applicants, and I have attached a description/application. Please take a look and consider recommending it to your top students. It is an invaluable opportunity for a student interested in the legislative process, open government, and communications.
The challenge for students is the schedule, which ideally includes being in Olympia for three days a week during the legislative session. Previous winners have been PLU students, but it is open to upper level students at any college in Washington.
If you have a strong candidate, please have him or her send an e-mail to me confirming their interest in applying. They can send the requested materials by Dec. 15. We expect to offer this opportunity again in 2011, so keep that in mind as well.
WNPA Foundation announces
ZUBROD LEGISLATIVE REPORTING INTERNSHIP
Washington State Legislative Session Dates: Jan. 12 – April 26, 2009
Applications due Dec. 15, 2008 The WNPA Foundation invites Washington state colleges and universities to nominate third- or fourth-year students for the Zubrod Legislative Reporting Internship. In addition to journalism students, the internship is open to students majoring in communications, law or political science. The recipient will receive a stipend of up to $1,000.
To nominate a student, professors are asked to write a letter of nomination and provide the student with a copy of this announcement as guidance to the application process. By Dec. 15 the student must send the following to the WNPA Foundation: a letter of interest, a resume, the professor’s letter of nomination and a letter of recommendation from one other faculty member. Applications may be mailed to the address above or faxed to (206) 634-3842.
Requirements for the Zubrod Legislative Reporting Internship
This internship requires a high level of self motivation and strong interest in learning about legislative issues of concern to newspapers in Washington state. Applicants should expect to spend up to three days a week in Olympia during the legislative session, and should have a basic understanding of the legislative process prior to the start of the session.
The intern will work with Rowland Thompson, Executive Director of Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington, on bills of interest to members of Washington Newspaper Publishers Association and Allied Daily Newspapers. Activities may include researching information through the bill room or caucuses, attending committee hearings, interviewing sponsors of pertinent legislation, and possibly writing stories on bills and their history. The student will also write a blog on what they observe about how the media is faring in Olympia. Intern selection will be announced in December.
The internship was established in 2005 in honor of Jerry Zubrod, who died in 2001. After 23 years of service, he retired as executive director of WNPA in 1988.
If you have questions about the application process or the internship, please contact Mae Waldron at (206)634-3838.
