1 Popular internship programs at New York Times
The New York Times internship programs are built to give students and recent graduates a transformative experience in journalism and media. Rather than serving as routine placements, these internships provide structured mentorship, professional-level compensation, and an insider’s view of how one of the world’s most respected news organizations operates. Each program is designed not just to test an intern’s skills but to expand them, giving participants a launchpad into careers in reporting, visual communication, editorial work, or business strategy.
1.1 James Reston Reporting Fellowship
This fellowship offers unparalleled access to the inner workings of a world-class newsroom. Interns benefit from direct mentorship with Times reporters and editors, exposure to editorial decision-making, and a guided pathway toward publishing professional-level work. What makes this program stand out is the opportunity to leave with bylines in one of the most influential newspapers globally, an achievement that often defines early careers in journalism. In addition to professional coaching, fellows receive a competitive salary and housing allowance, making it financially viable for interns from diverse backgrounds to participate.
1.2 Graphics, Design & Photography Internship
This program offers students entry into the Times award-winning visual journalism culture. Interns gain access to industry-leading design processes, training in state-of-the-art digital storytelling tools, and exposure to collaborative work between reporters and visual desks. The experience highlights how data, images, and design can transform news stories into powerful narratives. Interns leave with portfolio-ready projects that showcase the standards of excellence set by The New York Times in visual communication.
1.3 Washington, D.C. Reporting Internship
This internship offers immersion into one of the most important news beats in the world — U.S. politics and policy. Interns are placed in the Times’ Washington bureau, where they gain access to senior correspondents, observe high-level political coverage strategies, and understand how national reporting is coordinated. Beyond professional development, the program provides exposure to the pace of political journalism in the capital, equipping interns with the resilience and insight needed to succeed in competitive political reporting careers.
1.4 Business & Marketing Internship
This program offers interns an inside look at how a legacy media organization sustains itself in the digital era. Participants are introduced to audience engagement strategies, subscription growth models, and media marketing campaigns that define the Times’ global presence. Interns benefit from learning how data-driven business decisions are made in a media company that has successfully transitioned to a subscription-first model. The program also provides access to senior leaders in business functions, offering mentorship that connects academic theory with real-world media economics.
1.5 Editorial Internship
The editorial program offers interns a foundation in how stories are refined before publication. It emphasizes the importance of research, fact-checking, and editorial standards that safeguard the Times’ credibility. Interns benefit from guided exposure to the editorial review cycle, learning how arguments are shaped, how accuracy is verified, and how editorial voices are balanced in print and digital. The program serves as an immersion into the craft of editing, offering skills that are vital not only in journalism but in publishing and communications at large.
1.6 Data & Analytics Internship
1.7 Studio Design Internship
The design studio program offers exposure to cutting-edge digital storytelling. Interns learn how the Times integrates visuals, typography, and interactivity to create award-winning multimedia projects. This program gives participants a rare chance to be part of projects that push the boundaries of traditional journalism, blending design thinking with editorial creativity. Beyond technical training, the program fosters innovation and creative confidence, helping interns leave with a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to work at the intersection of journalism and design.
1.8 Local Investigations Fellowship
The Local Investigations Fellowship offers aspiring investigative reporters the opportunity to spend a year working on in-depth projects focused on undercovered issues in communities across the United States. Fellows receive training in investigative reporting techniques, mentorship from senior Times editors, and resources to pursue ambitious stories with real impact. This program is structured to give participants experience not only in reporting but also in managing long-form projects, accessing public records, and collaborating with editors on accountability journalism.
1.9 Data Engineering Internship
The Data Engineering Internship offers students the chance to work with large-scale data systems that support both newsroom and business functions at The New York Times. Interns are trained in managing data pipelines, cleaning and structuring raw datasets, and optimizing infrastructure for analytics and reporting. The program provides exposure to cloud-based tools, automation practices, and engineering workflows that allow the Times to process and analyze massive amounts of information.
2 Popular roles for interns at New York Times
1. Interactive News Intern: Interactive News Interns work at the intersection of journalism and technology. They contribute to the design and development of newsroom tools, data-driven features, and interactive projects that enhance reporting. Their work involves collaborating with reporters, developers, and designers to create digital storytelling formats that bring complex stories to life.
2. Marketing & Advertising Intern: Marketing & Advertising Interns support the execution of campaigns that position The New York Times brand. They assist in email marketing, develop social media content, and analyze audience engagement. They also contribute to event planning and industry outreach, helping the Times maintain its reputation as a trusted partner for advertisers while learning how communications shape business outcomes.
3. Software Engineer Intern: Software Engineer Interns contribute directly to the Times digital platforms, including its website, mobile apps, and internal newsroom tools. They write code, debug issues, and participate in feature development alongside full-time engineers. The role often involves working with APIs, cloud infrastructure, and backend systems that support large-scale content delivery. Interns also collaborate in agile teams, attend stand-ups, and take ownership of small but meaningful projects that impact how millions of readers access news.
4. Advertising Product Marketing Intern: Advertising Product Marketing Interns help position and promote advertising solutions offered by the Times. They support go-to-market strategies, create marketing materials, and participate in internal training sessions to educate teams on new ad products. Their work ensures that sales and advertising teams are equipped to engage clients with the Times evolving media offerings.
5. Data Analyst Insights Intern: Data Analyst Insights Interns analyze how readers interact with the Times products such as News, Games, and Cooking. They run exploratory data analysis, build dashboards, and automate reports that track audience behavior. They also contribute to the design and evaluation of experiments, providing actionable insights that help both editorial and business teams make evidence-based decisions.
6. Project Management Intern: PM Interns help coordinate large-scale marketing and creative projects. They build project timelines, document workflows, and facilitate communication between teams. They also track campaign progress, flag potential roadblocks, and assist during creative reviews or kickoff sessions. This role gives them hands-on exposure to how cross-functional projects are executed in a fast-paced media environment.
7. News Assistant Intern (Paris Bureau): News Assistant Interns in the Paris bureau monitor the press landscape, compile daily press reviews, and assist correspondents with research. They pitch ideas, draft stories, and help cover regional events alongside reporters. Their role provides exposure to international journalism, giving them practical experience in how global stories are sourced and reported for an international readership.
8. Studio Design Intern: Studio design interns work alongside creative directors to develop layouts and multimedia packages that bring stories to life. They handle typography, color palettes, and visual flow for digital storytelling projects, ensuring that design elements complement editorial content.
9. Application Security Engineer Intern: Application Security Engineer Interns focus on safeguarding the Times digital products and infrastructure. They review code for security vulnerabilities, test applications for weaknesses, and assist in implementing best practices to protect sensitive data. The role often involves working with penetration testing tools, writing scripts to automate security checks, and collaborating with software engineers to remediate issues.
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