Importance of Internships in Journalism

Importance of Internships in Journalism

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Nupur
Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial
Updated on Nov 7, 2025 10:37 IST
Internships play an important role in a student's life when looking for a career in Journalism. Internships help students get hands-on experience about the theoretical knowledge they learn. Check out this article to learn more about journalism internship and its importance. Get a list of top courses to land an internship in journalism.

Check out this article to learn more about a journalism internship and its importance. Get a list of top courses to get an internship in journalism. Also, find out internship opportunities in journalism.

Importance of Internships in Journalism

Importance of Internships in Journalism

JournalismΒ in mass communication and media is art of collecting and analyzing news or a piece of information and presenting it to public. The information is shared through different platforms such as radio, TV, newspapers, or any other digital media platform. Journalism is backbone of democracy. It keeps people informed, brings out truth, and holds those in power accountable.Β 

Students wanting to build a career in journalism can pursue courses such as a Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication, BA in Journalism, Master of Journalism and Mass Communication, or a PG Diploma in Journalism. With journalism, students can build a career in different areas, including broadcast journalism, investigative journalism, sports journalism and digital media.

Check Out: Journalism Career Scope

Q: Β  What is a journalism internship?
A:

A journalism internship is a hands-on training in reporting, news writing, editing, and other journalism related profiles. During internship, students work with news/media organizations. They assist with research, interview, and content for print or digital media. Interns learn about newsroom workflows and journalism ethics. 

Q: Β  What is freelance journalism?
A:

Freelance journalism is a practice where a journalist work independently. They create and sell their articles or content to different publications or media houses. There is no long-term contract between a freelance journalist and the publication/media house.

Q: Β  Why are internships important in journalism?
A:

Internships in journalism help students develop various skills required to become a journalist. These internships also help them create a strong resume and build network. These things increases the chances of a student get a job at a good company.

Table of contents
  • Internships in Journalism
  • Importance of Internships in Journalism
  • Ways to Secure a Journalism Internship
  • Journalism Courses: UG, Diploma, PG, Certificate
  • Internship Options in Journalism

Internships in Journalism

Having theoretical knowledge about journalism is not enough to make a career. One needs to have experience with real life situations. For this, an internship in journalism is perfect. Internships help students know how things work in a real newsroom and how news is gathered, edited, and presented. Whether working for a newspaper, TV channel, or digital platform, interns get a firsthand experience of meeting tight deadlines, handling breaking news and conducting interviews.

Importance of Internships in Journalism

Doing an internship before getting a job in journalism is important for reasons mentioned here.

1. First of all, a journalism internship can give practical exposure to students. They can work in a professional news environment and learn how news production process works in real life. They also get to learn how to research, interview sources, pitch story ideas and write an engaging news report.

2.Β To be a good journalist, knowing how to write a compelling story is not only skill required. One must have skills to research, fact check, edit, and present. With an internship in journalism, students can develop their skills.Β To help interns with this, the employers usually let them assist in video production, edit articles, or manage social media content.

3.Β Working with media industry ethicsΒ is important to become a good journalist. With internships, students can learn importance of responsible reporting and media laws & ethics. The mentors teach interns how to verify their sources and remain neutral.

4.Β  Internship not only helps students gain experience, but it also helps them build a strong industry network. During internships, interns can interact and connect with experienced editors, journalists and media professionals. It can help them get mentorship, career guidance and job referrals.

5. Internships can help get a good job in journalism. Also, big companies and media houses usually prefer candidates who have already done internships. It is because someone with initial experience through an internship can work better than someone with no practical experience.

Ways to Secure a Journalism Internship

Finding an internship is not easy in this competitive world. Students have to carefully present their skills and must do well in the interview to gain an internship opportunity. Here are some steps to get an internship in journalism.

  1. Gather your articles, blog posts, or video content and make a creative portfolio.
  2. Write or work for college publications or companies as freelance work.
  3. Attend journalism seminars, workshops, and media events and make connections.
  4. Look for journalism internships in newspapers, TV channels, online media platforms, and PR agencies.

Journalism Courses: UG, Diploma, PG, Certificate

Check out the list of top courses a candidate can pursue for an internship in Journalism.

Journalism UG Courses

B.A. in Journalism

B.A. in Mass Media

B.Sc. in Mass Communication, Journalism & Advertising

Bachelor in Journalism

B.A. in Journalism and Communication Studies

B.Sc in Mass Communication and Journalism

Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC)

B.A. in Scriptwriting

Bachelor's in Media Science

Journalism Diploma Courses

Diploma in Journalism

Diploma in Broadcast Journalism Diploma in Creative Multimedia and Journalism
Diploma in Creative Media Production (Broadcast Journalism) Diploma in Documentary Photography Diploma in Photojournalism
PG Diploma Course in Journalism (English) and (Hindi) PG Diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism Β 
Journalism PG Courses
MA Journalism

Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC)

MA Convergent Journalism

MA Broadcast Journalism

Master in Mass Communication

MSc in Television and Film Production

MSc in Entertainment, Media and Advertisement

MA in Photojournalism

MA multimedia

Journalism Certificate Courses
Certificate Course in Journalism and Mass Communication Certificate in Mobile Journalism Certificate in TV Journalism and Direction
Certificate Course in Journalism Certificate in News Anchoring Certificate in Anchoring

Internship Options in Journalism

After completing journalism courses, students can get an internship in these fields.

Internship Options in Journalism

Editor

Cartoonist

Cameraman

Photo Journalist

Proof Reader

Beat specialist - Crime/ Politics/ Sports, etc.

Feature WriterΒ or Columnist

Correspondent/ Special Reporter

Investigative Journalist

Critic

Video Presenter/ Anchor/ Host

Video Editor

Researchers

Ground Reporter

Freelance Journalist

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About the Author
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Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial

Nupur Jain started with a passion for educational content writing, which soon grew into a meaningful journey of helping students through reliable guidance. A commerce graduate from Delhi University, she has spent ov

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