Internship Opportunities at NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago

The NBC/Telemundo internship program is designed to provide college students the opportunity to explore careers in the broadcasting industry while providing meaningful and practical business experience which will generate college credit.

NBC/Telemundo has four internship sessions yearly. Each session runs for approximately 13 weeks.

This is an unpaid internship for college credit only. Our interns are considered trainees and not employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1973.

Internships with NBC/Telemundo Chicago are limited to only one per student. Each student is assigned to one station sponsor for the duration of the internship.

At NBC/Telemundo, labor contracts prevent interns from performing union duties. These duties include newswriting, working with technical equipment and directing. If you're interested in gaining "hands on" experience, you are advised to seek internships at a broadcasting company where this work is not restricted to union employees.

NBC/Telemundo reserves the right to terminate a student's internship at any point for reasons such as misconduct, poor attendance, insubordination or other serious problems.

Internship offers and start dates are determined by the NBC/Telemundo Human Resources Department and the Internship Sponsor.   

Internship Eligibility

You must be registered as a Junior, Senior, or Graduate Student in good standing at an accredited college or university to be eligible for an NBC/Telemundo Internship. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. The registration must apply for the full duration of the internship.

You must receive college/university course credit for participating in this program. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. The amount of course credit to be earned is determined, and must be verified by an authorized person from your college/university.  To receive course credit, you must comply with all school requirements as well as all NBC/Telemundo requirements. Be fully aware of your schools internship requirements before applying for the NBC/Telemundo Internship program.

Most NBC/Telemundo Internship sponsors/departments require students to work 35-40 hours per week during summer internship sessions.

During the school year, most departments offer more flexibility but require at least 12 hours per week.

Available Internship Departments

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS (NBC or TLMD):   Responsibilities: Assist in writing announcer copy and scheduling daily promos and station IDs. Collect and research programming and promotional tape elements for on-going project development. Monitor daily network promos.  Qualifications: Computer/typing, some experience in writing, and basic TV Production skills.

Station Relations/ Sales Marketing (TLMD only):         
Responsibilities:  Gain experience, knowledge and skills essential to becoming a media relations professional in the Hispanic media landscape.   Intern will be involved in event marketing, social network marketing, liason with community and integrating sales and marketing efforts for Telemundo Chicago.   Will manage event projects.  Qualificatioins:  Good writing and communications skills.  Bilingual skills preferred (English/Spanish).   Quick learner.  Good phone skills.  Good presentation skills.

DIGITAL SALES (NBC only):        
Responsibilities: Assist in day-to-day office operations. Working with and organizing sales pitches, research and administrative -tasks for the Digital Sales Department.  Qualifications: Interest in the broadcast business, especially in new media sales efforts for digital and Web-based businesses of NBC Unviersal. Must have excellent computer/typing skills. Excellent phone skills, strong knowledge of Internet and a positive attitude.

CONSUMER UNIT   (NBC Only):          

Responsibilities: Manage viewer intake telephone hotline and mail. Help viewers solve consumer problems as well as researching complaints for possible story development.  Qualifications: Excellent phone skills, research skills via print, phone, web-based and a "nose for news" are crucial. Desire to really help viewers with problems. Not afraid to "dig up dirt" when necessary.

INVESTIGATIVE UNIT:

The newly-formed Unit 5 Investigative Team is looking for an intern who is willing to do thorough research a variety of stories with a host of reporters and anchors.  Responsibilities will include computer research; traveling to various local government agencies ( including federal and county courts) to find and copy court cases and other public information; analyzing documents as assigned by producers; making phone calls to track down stories; researching story tips and ideas; helping with numbers and statistics; tracking down video; logging interviews and other video; assisting with web stories and research, and serving as an “investigative gopher” for the producers and reporters as needed.  This is a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. job.

A good investigative intern is persistent.  They’re willing to buckle down and do thorough, responsible, ethical research on any issue -- no matter how long or tedious or frustrating the process.  Their aim is to uncover new facts and solid information to advance an important lead. They’re willing to pivot from story to story as needed, and they understand that each day may bring a new project or a different task or a deadline story.  A smart head for numbers is a plus, as is a knack for talking to people.  We especially appreciate good writing and an easygoing sense of humor.  This is a job for someone who relishes finding out things that no one else has ever taken the time to find out.   It’s a job for someone who can tackle new sources and resources – be it a watchdog website or a database of contracts – and not give up until they understand it all.  It’s also a job for someone who won’t complain if we bury them in a pile of documents or hours of video, with a mission to track down an important fact or key statistic.Our best Unit 5 interns have gone on to become respected investigative reporters and producers at both the local and national level.  They’re the ones who’ve been bitten by that investigative “bug” that compels them not to stop until they find the proverbial needle in the haystack – the fact or figure that may be THE key to an important Unit 5 investigation.

HEALTH UNIT  (NBC Only):         

Responsibilities: Research stories, call sources, computer work, typing, light filing.  Qualifications: Interest in reporting, organizational skills, computer-based research abilities, strong communication skills.

INVESTIGATIVE UNIT  (NBC Only):  

Responsibilities: Much research on investigative projects; past, present and future.  Qualifications: Excellent writing, financial, statistical and interpersonal skills. Excellent phone skills. Research skills via phone, print and web-based.

NATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (NBC Only):       

Responsibilities:  Will assist with sales peresentation materials, internal communications and follow-up.  Intern will act as project coordinator and evenly split work time among 3 local sales directors.  Qualifications:  Must be organized and able to juggle miltiple projects.  Excellent phone skills.  Excellent computer skills including MS PowerPoint.   Self-starter. 

NBC Network News Midwest Bureau -- NBC News:         

Responsibilities: Assist in research and development of story ideas, take calls.  Qualifications: Interest in national and international news events, perseverance, excellent telephone skills, good organizational aptitude and excellent research skills via print, phone and Web-based.

NEWS ASSIGNMENT DESK (NBC or TLMD):       

Evening hours and weekends; hours vary for day and evening shifts. Weekends are Friday 1 - 5 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Responsibilities: Research daily stories, get facts on breaking stories, set-up interviews/guests, check and make police beat calls, listen to police and fire radios, receive calls on special hot line numbers. Qualifications: Must have knowledge of newsroom operations, knowledge of city/suburbs, excellent phone skills essential, organized and have the ability to work under pressure situations.

NEWS DEPARTMENT (NBC or TLMD):         

Responsibilities: Assist producer and/or reporter with research projects and stories, listen to scanners, take viewer calls.
Qualifications: Interest in reporting/interviewing, journalism classes or experience, excellent writing ability, interpersonal skills and web-based research skills are required.

NEWS PLANNING UNIT  (NBC or TLMD):         

Responsibilities: Research future stories, clip/read newspapers, take calls on future stories.  Qualifications: Computer/typing skills, excellent phone skills and communication skills.

SALES RESEARCH AND MARKETING (NBC or TLMD):       Responsibilities: Assist the Research/Marketing team in compiling ratings information, competitive analysis and station performance data. Answering phones, faxing and filing when needed.  Qualifications: Exposure to courses in media planning, advertising research or broadcast marketing preferred. Strong knowledge of MS office applications and e-mail is required. Should possess basic math/statistical skills, ability to work independently, be organized and detailed and have a curiosity about Chicago's television market.

SPORTS DEPARTMENT  (NBC Only):               
Responsibilities: Answering calls from NBC/Telemundo and public organizations, researching stories, helping to meet deadlines, observing and assisting with other department functions. Watching and logging daily sporting events.  Qualifications: Organization and interpersonal skills, writing, sports knowledge and keen interest in sports.

WEB DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT  (NBC Only):   

Responsibilities: Assist Web development manager of NBCChicago.com in creation of original content for Web site. Intern will be shooting video and still content, editing and writing stories and creating slideshows. The right candidate will also have the opportunity to create their own audio and video podcasts for their reel.  Qualifications: Journalism coursework, experience with Internet, HTML coding, Adobe PhotoShop, and some shooting and editing. Must have computer and typing skills, good judgment, writing ability and creativity. Opportunity to participate in the fastest-growing segment of the journalism industry.

WEB DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT  (TLMD Only):   
Responsibilities: Assist Web development manager of telemundochicago.com in creation of original content for Web site.Editing and writing stories and creating slideshows. The right candidate will also have the opportunity to create their own Qualifications: experience with Internet, HTML coding, Adobe PhotoShop, Must have computer and typing skills, good judgment, writing ability and creativity. Opportunity to participate in the fastest-growing segment of the journalism industry.

NBCChicago.com EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT  (NBC Only):    

Responsibilities: Assist managing editor of NBCChicago.com in creating stories, videos, slideshows and other editorial content to post on the Web site. Intern will work with other Web editors, reporters, producers and photographers to gather content, write stories, select photos and make editorial decisions about the site. This internship will help develop your writing skills and editorial judgment, as well as build practical skills with basic HTML, CMS programs and PhotoShop. You will finish the intership with a portfolio of online work for your resume.  Qualifications: Journalism coursework, experience with Internet, very basic HTML coding, Adobe PhotoShop and some video editing. Must have computer and typing skills, good judgement, writing ability, creativity and ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Opportunity to participate in the fastest-growing segment of the journalism industry.

You can find the NBC/Telemundo Internship Application (PDF) here.

Completed applications and additional paperwork must be mailed to:
Internship Coordinator
NBC,  Human Resources Dept.
454 N. Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
Chicago Internship Line:  (312) 836-5785;   TDD (312) 836-5788

Or send application materials to: chicagointernships@nbcuni.com

NBC Universal is an equal opportunity employer.