GRAY MEDIA TRAINING PROGRAM SPRING '27 - WIBW

WIBW TV; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 9,600 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Job summary

WIBW-TV, part of Gray Media, offers a paid 10-week internship program in Topeka for aspiring media professionals. You will rotate through roles like producer, MMJ, meteorologist, or sales as you build a professional portfolio and digital projects.

Participants commit to 25 hours per week, gain real-world experience, and may fast-track into full-time opportunities within Gray Media’s nationwide station network.

Qualifications

• Be currently enrolled in a college/university, preferably in senior year.
• Pursue a degree in Broadcast Journalism/Communications or related fields.
• Demonstrate hands-on initiative and a proactive work style.

Responsibilities

• Own the role and handle real-world assignments that may air online.
• Drive digital engagement across social media, streaming apps, and web stories.
• Collaborate with senior pros to gain industry insights.
• Commit to 25 hours per week for 10 weeks to build a portfolio.
• Tell stories that matter to the community or help local businesses grow.
• Position yourself for full-time opportunities within Gray Media network.

Skills

Doer mindset

Digital savvy

Strong work ethic

Communication skills

Reliability

Passion for local

Education

Broadcast Journalism/Communications degree

Job description

Job Details

Description

About Gray Media

Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first- and/or second-highest-rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 of such markets that were measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 46 markets and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

About WIBW

WIBW-TV is the #1 news station in a 17-county designated market area, based in Topeka, Kansas

The Training Program

Are you tired of just watching from the sidelines? Ready to stop "shadowing" and start actually doing the work that reaches thousands of people every single day? We're looking for the next generation of media powerhouses, producers, reporters, weather experts, and sales executives who are hungry to dive head-first into the fast-paced world of local media. This isn't your typical "get the coffee" internship. The Gray Media Training Program is a high-octane, 10-week immersive experience where you don't just learn the job; you own it. Whether you're crafting the lead story for the evening news, tracking a cold front on our weather tech, or closing a digital ad deal, you'll be a vital part of our award-winning team from day one.

General Responsibilities

What You’ll Do:

• Own the role: Step into the shoes of a producer, MMJ, Meteorologist, or Media Sales executive and handle real-world assignments (yes, the kind that may go on air and online).
• Drive digital engagement: Create content that lives beyond the TV screen; think social media, streaming apps, and web stories- because we're digital-first, always.
• Collaborate with pros: Work side-by-side with seasoned veterans who are the best in the business, gaining insights you won't find in any textbook.
• Commit to the craft: Dedicate 25 hours per week for 10 weeks to mastering your specialty and building a professional-grade portfolio.
• Make an impact: Tell stories that matter to the community or help local businesses grow through innovative media strategies.
• Build your future: Position yourself at the front of the line for full-time career opportunities within Gray Media's network of 113 stations.

What You Bring

• Current enrollment: You're a college student (Junior or Senior status preferred) chasing a degree in Journalism, Communications, Sales, Marketing, or a related field.
• A "doer" mindset: You aren't afraid to get your hands dirty and take initiative; you're here to work, not just watch.
• Digital savvy: You understand that media happens everywhere, from the big screen to the palm of someone's hand.
• Strong work ethic: You bring urgency, organization, and a "can-do" attitude to every shift.
• Communication skills: You can tell a story, pitch an idea, or explain a forecast with clarity and confidence.
• Reliability: You're ready to commit to the full 10-week program and the 25-hour weekly schedule.
• Passion for local: You care about the community and want to see how local media makes a real difference.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Real-world experience: You'll graduate with more than just a line on your resume; you'll have the experience of having done the job.
• Unprecedented access: With 113 stations across the U.S., you're part of a massive, innovative network that’s leading the future of media.
• Career fast-track: We love hiring our own. This program is designed to be the ultimate audition for your first full-time role with Gray.
• Paid training: Earn while you learn. This is a paid internship.
• A culture of innovation: We're evolving on purpose, and you'll be right there on the front lines of that evolution.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Be currently enrolled in a college/university, preferably in your senior year.
• Strong work ethic and organizational skills.
• Earning a degree in Broadcast Journalism/Communications, or related fields, with a desire to get hands-on experience in the local media industry.

If you are interested in interning in these areas, the station may have openings in these departments for you:

• Marketing
• Creative Services
• Sports
• Weather
• News Production
• News MMJ
• Engineering

The intern rate of pay can range from minimum wage in your state to $15 an hour.

WIBW-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company

Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gray's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.