CLIMATE REPORTER INTERNSHIPS

2024 summer internship program

The Native Climate project, led by the Desert Research Institute, seeks four high school, college, graduate, or recently graduated students from across the US for a 10-week summer internship in multimedia storytelling. Interns will report on climate change impacts and resilience actions among Indigenous peoples in their regions, telling stories that build connections between traditional knowledge, Indigenous practices, and Western scientific understanding of climate change. This program combines structured learning with hands-on experience and mentorship, allowing interns to gain practical skills and exposure in various aspects of journalism and communication. Interns will meet twice-per-week via Microsoft Teams for learning sessions, feedback, mentorship, and opportunities to connect with professional journalists. Outside of these meetings, interns will work independently on story assignments.

The Climate Reporter Summer Internship Program aims to build awareness nationally about climate change impacts and resilience on Native American lands, and build communication, journalism, and multimedia storytelling skills useful to interns as they move forward in their careers. Interns will practice telling stories about climate change in their region using photography, audio, video, writing, artwork, poetry, and/or other creative medium of their choice. The internship will leave students with one or more samples of published work for their professional portfolios. Stories will be published on the Native Climate website, shared with our project partners in our newsletter, and may be pitched to professional media outlets as appropriate. 

 

Read Stories by our current team of Climate Reporters
flower of an edible wild bulb

INTERNSHIP DETAILS

  • Who: High school, college, or graduate students interested in gaining skills in communication or multimedia storytelling.
  • What: 10-week summer journalism internship program.
  • When: Early June to mid-August 2024 (start/end dates TBD depending on intern availability). 20 hours per week. Interns will meet virtually twice per week via Microsoft Teams during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm PT). Outside of these meetings, interns will work independently on story assignments.
  • Where: Remote. Interns will be hired through the Desert Research Institute, but may be located anywhere in the US.
  • Pay: $15 per hour.

Required Qualifications

  • Familiarity with Indigenous cultures, traditional practices, and climate change impacts in their community and region.
  • A strong interest in communications, journalism, agriculture, or STEM.
  • Access to a computer with an internet connection.
  • Access to a smartphone capable of collecting photos and voice recordings.
  • Creativity, strong writing skills, and an interest in storytelling.
  • Must work well independently.
  • Good organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines in a remote work setting.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled or recently graduated students pursuing a degree in communications, journalism, agriculture, or a related STEM field.
  • Previous experience in journalism or communications.
  • Access to transportation and ability to travel short distances (up to 50 miles) for in-person reporting assignments.
Pinon pine and open cones against a blue background

HOW TO APPLY

Climate Reporters will be hired through the Desert Research Institute (DRI), a world leader in applied environmental research.  As an organization, DRI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity/Action in recruitment of its employees and strives to foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Visit DRI’s application page to submit a current resume and a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this opportunity and how your background and experience prepare you for this job. Applications will remain open until suitable candidates have been found for the job. Apply today!

Apply now!

 

Questions?

If you have questions about this internship opportunity, please contact Native Climate Communication Coordinator, Kelsey Fitzgerald ([email protected]). To check out some of the work of our current climate reporters, please continue to our Climate Reporter Stories page!