GRAY MEDIA TRAINING PROGRAM SUMMER/FALL '26 - WDBJ

Gray Television, Inc.; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 7,000 - 15,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Real-world experience

Unprecedented access to 113 stations

Job summary

Gray Television, Inc. is seeking interns for the GRAY MEDIA TRAINING PROGRAM SUMMER/FALL '26 in Roanoke, VA. This immersive 10-week program provides a hands-on experience in local media for college students pursuing degrees in Journalism, Communications, or related fields.

Participants will engage deeply with various media roles and responsibilities, allowing for real-world contributions and professional development in a dynamic setting. Interns earn while they learn with a pay rate of up to $15 per hour.

Qualifications

• Must be a college student (Junior or Senior status preferred).
• Strong work ethic and organizational skills are essential.
• Desire to gain hands-on experience in local media.

Responsibilities

• Own the role of a producer, MMJ, meteorologist, or media sales executive.
• Create digital content for social media and web.
• Collaborate with industry professionals to gain insights.
• Commit to a 25-hour work week for 10 weeks.

Skills

Journalism

Communications

Sales

Marketing

Digital engagement

Organization

Reliability

Communication skills

Education

Currently enrolled in college/university

Job description

GRAY MEDIA TRAINING PROGRAM SUMMER/FALL '26 - WDBJ

Job Category: News

Requisition Number: GRAYM016003

• Posted : May 19, 2026
• Part-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

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 47 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 WDBJ:

WDBJ7, WZBJ, and WDBJ7.com are a Gray-owned dominant CBS-affiliated media powerhouse in beautiful Roanoke, Virginia. Known as “Your Hometown Station”, WDBJ7 and WZBJ serve 26 counties across the Blue Ridge Mountain region and produce 58 hours of award-winning local news coverage, more than any of its competitors in the Roanoke/Lynchburg market.

For 70 years, WDBJ7 has been the number one station of choice for viewers from Roanoke to Lynchburg and across the New River Valley.

Job Summary:

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.

The Training Program:

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 (preferred Junior/Senior).
• Strong work ethic and organizational skills.
• College students, seniors preferred, earning a degree in Journalism/Communications, Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Sports, News, 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:

• Sports
• Weather
• News Production
• News MMJ
• Marketing

Ready to stop practicing and start performing? Let’s build the future of media together

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

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 at every location where 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.