Intern, LAist

American Public Media Group; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

LAist internship offers hands-on experience in a public media newsroom, focusing on digital news and radio production. You will gain exposure to newsroom operations, reporting, research, and audio production, with opportunities to work on LAist.com and LAist 89.3 FM.

The program is funded by AAJA‑LA and provides a scholarship; candidates should have a passion for journalism, strong writing and editing abilities, and sample works to share.

Qualifications

• Current college student or recent graduate (within a semester of graduation).
• Experience in a journalism environment.
• Must be able to work in person at the LAist office in Pasadena, CA.
• Must be available to work 10 weeks starting in late September 2026.

Responsibilities

• Learn and perform various tasks, that may include production, reporting, interviewing, writing, recording and cutting tape.
• Assist with research of story ideas/segment concepts.
• Find and pitch ideas for stories/segments.
• Assist with writing content for web.
• Assist reporters or producers with deep‑dive reporting projects, including work involving data analysis or document review.
• Assist with reporting or producing stories for newscasts.
• Assist with producing multimedia assets to publish to social media platforms.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Writing skills

Editing skills

Research skills

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Current college student or recent graduate

Job description

Who We Are

LAist is an audience-funded nonprofit news organization, and the home of LAist.com and LAist 89.3 FM. Our mission is to help people make sense of life in Southern California through reporting that is useful, thoughtful, and deeply connected to our communities.

Every day, we showcase the people and neighborhoods that make Greater L.A. work. With us, you don’t just get the news — you get clear context and next steps to understand SoCal, connect with it, and help change it.

We report on the biggest challenges facing the region today: housing and homelessness, climate and the environment, education, immigration, and public safety. At the same time, we never lose sight of what makes SoCal the envy of the world, including its food, arts, and culture.

Today, LAist connects with people across the region every day on 89.3 FM as L.A.’s largest NPR station, online, in inboxes, on social media, and through news stories and guides designed to help Angelenos and Southern Californians navigate their communities.

Position Summary

Our internships are opportunities for college students or recent graduates to learn about the real-world demands of working in an award-winning public media newsroom. We aim to provide a meaningful experience for the intern and LAist.

The internship is designed for individuals interested in digital news and radio news production. The selected intern will gain exposure to newsroom operations, reporting, research, and audio production.

This position is funded by a grant from the Asian American Journalists Association, Los Angeles chapter. The intern will also be awarded a scholarship for $1,902 provided and administered by AAJA‑LA.

This internship will be placed in the newsroom and will assist with newsgathering for LAist.com and for LAist 89.3 FM, including coverage of elections, AAPI communities and other news topics. Applicants for this role should have experience or interest in radio and/or digital production and include samples of their related work.

Application Deadline

September 4, 2026 (5:00pm PT) or until filled.

Compensation

The pay rate for this opportunity will be $18.66 per hour.

Position Responsibilities

• Learn and perform various tasks, that may include production, reporting, interviewing, writing, recording and cutting tape.
• Assist with research of story ideas/segment concepts.
• Find and pitch ideas for stories/segments.
• Assist with writing content for web.
• Assist reporters or producers with deep‑dive reporting projects, including work involving data analysis or document review.
• Assist with reporting or producing stories for newscasts.
• Assist with producing multimedia assets to publish to social media platforms.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education And Experience

• Current college student or recent graduate (within a semester of graduation).
• Experience in a journalism environment.
• Must be able to work in person at the LAist office in Pasadena, CA.
• Must be available to work 10 weeks starting in late September 2026.

Required Skills, Knowledge And Abilities, Depending On Role

• Strong writing, editing, research and communication skills.
• Ability to manage several different projects at once.
• Ability to manage daily workload efficiently (good time management skills).
• Ability to meet deadlines as assigned.
• Ability to pitch original story ideas.

Preferred Skills And Experience, Depending On Role

• Knowledge of AP Style.
• Interest in a journalism career.
• Ability to conceive of, pitch, and execute compelling radio and web stories.
• Familiarity with the values, sound of public radio.
• Some experience working in a broadcast or newsroom environment.
• Knowledge of digital editing technologies.

Reporting to This Position: N/A

Physical Demands And Working Conditions

• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time.
• Required to move about in the community.
• Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping.
• Working Conditions: moderate noise level.

LAist is diverse in race, ethnicity, language, culture, social class, national origin, religious and political belief, age, ability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation in addition to other markers protected by law.

At LAist, we strive to create an inclusive environment where we all feel pride in who we are and what we do. We are encouraged to show up as we are – always embracing and recognizing that our diversity is what brings us together. Our fundamental commitment to diversity:

• Enriches LAist and provides an atmosphere in which all human potential is valued
• Promotes learning through interactions among people of different backgrounds and many perspectives, and
• Enables the organization to prepare all employees to promote social responsibility, equity, freedom, and productive citizenship in a global society

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage you to apply.