Intern - Newsroom Journalist

NATIONAL FFA CONVENTION & EXPO NEWSROOM JOURNALIST INTERNSHIP

The National FFA Organization is seeking college students or recent college graduates pursuing degrees in journalism, agricultural communications, public relations, telecommunications, or a closely related field to share with the world the stories coming out of the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, which runs from October 23-26, 2024, in Indianapolis.

FFA Newsroom Journalist Interns will gain inside access to one of the largest conventions in the country; experience a fast-paced working newsroom; receive communications coaching from experts with backgrounds as on-air TV journalists and anchors, radio broadcasters, newspaper and magazine editors, and public relations professionals; and have the opportunity to build their portfolio with news stories distributed to a potential audience of more than a million people, including the organization’s 950,000+ members.

Interns are expected to arrive in Indianapolis on Monday, Oct. 21, and work a minimum 8-hour shift daily from Tuesday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 26. National FFA will cover travel expenses, including airfare and hotel, provide all meals Monday upon arrival through Saturday, and offer a $400 project stipend.

This internship may be eligible for college credit, so ask your school’s advisor.

NEWSROOM JOURNALIST INTERNS

More than 70,000 National FFA members, advisors, and supporters from across the nation will convene in Indianapolis for the organization’s premier event of the year, the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo. Members come to compete, find personal and career inspiration, meet fellow members from across the country, and grow as leaders. Advisors, alumni, and corporate partners come to support the students in their growth.

Your job will be to tell their stories in meaningful and impactful ways through produced video news segments, digital stories, audio cuts, and social media content. Interns will be in front of the camera conducting live and recorded interviews, gathering firsthand accounts of events, and organizing the material into a cohesive and interesting story. Interns will then package the story for streaming and radio broadcast, web, and social media.

FFA Newsroom Journalist Interns are expected to be able to conceptualize and create one feature story per day, formatted for TV broadcast, radio broadcast, online publication, and social media content. A camera operator will assist in capturing your interviews, and an editor will put together video for your stories.

Your work is likely to be published in a variety of ways, including through the convention live stream, FFA media partners, FFA.org, @nationalffa social media platforms, local and national media, and the organization’s national magazine, FFA New Horizons. Interns will leave the experience with a strong portfolio of work.

Stories will be assigned by the National FFA Newsroom Staff, but you’ll also be expected to use your networking skills to find organic stories that are important to the convention experience and lives of our members.

Desired skills include professionalism and comfort in front of a camera, the ability to find and write stories on deadline, and competency in drafting interview questions and conducting live interviews. The ability to edit video is a bonus. While you do not have to be a current or former FFA member, agricultural studies major, or well-versed in agriculture or National FFA, prior experience and knowledge of the industry or organization is a bonus.

Candidate must be able to physically move throughout the convention visiting Lucas Oil Stadium & Indianapolis Convention Center.

Application Deadline: Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. However, please note that applicants will be reviewed and interviewed on a rolling basis, and the positions may be filled before Aug. 30.