Observer is a premier online editorial platform. For the past two decades, we have captured a loyal readership through witty, irreverent and opinionated coverage of national and local politics, society, technology and innovation, real estate, arts, culture and entertainment. Although the New York Observer has been discontinued as a print publication, its legacy endures through our digital platforms.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Internships are unpaid, therefore interns must be eligible to receive academic credit for their internship. If you are a student, contact your career counselor for more information.
EDITORIAL INTERNSHIPS
Observer has published many of the nation’s top journalists, critics and essayists over the years, including Joe Conason, John Heilpern, Rex Reed, Andrew Sarris, Robert Gottlieb, Ron Rosenbaum, Susan Faludi and Peter Bogdanovich. In the mid-1990s, the New York Observer published “Sex and the City,” Candace Bushnell’s column on Manhattan’s social life that inspired the hit television series and subsequent films.
Observer interns do more than research and fact-check articles as they move from writer to editor to publication. Primarily, interns are tasked with working within one of Observer’s verticals (e.g., business, lifestyle or arts) and assisting that section’s editor. Interns will be expected to write about one article per week while at Observer, developing their own beat and byline. When not on deadline, interns are encouraged to become acquainted with Observer’s editors and writers, support newsroom operations, contribute to longer-term editorial projects and do their own research and reporting.
Observer’s newsroom boasts a unique and tight-knit team culture that benefits from the energy of its reporters and the experience of its editors. Though much of the team is remote, we have daily meetings and frequent check-ins. There are also opportunities to come into the office. Interns are fully integrated into this hybrid environment, where they have the opportunity to gain invaluable reporting, online editorial and in-person newsroom experience.
Observer runs three internship sessions a year: Spring (early January through May), Summer (June through August) and Fall (early September through December). Some interns continue to write for us after their internships end. Observer also not infrequently hires from its pool of interns, present and past.
Most interns work two to three days a week, but no fewer than two days a week.
HOW TO APPLY:
Send the following to ObserverInternships@observer.com and write “Observer Internship Application” in the subject line. The deadline for Summer 2024 (June through August) is April 12, 2024.
• Resume (Word or PDF)
• A cover letter, including a brief explanation of why you would like to write for the Observer. (Word or PDF)
PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNSHIPS
Observer is currently seeking a photo intern, available two days a week. This internship will be a great opportunity to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and to acquire some invaluable skills. The intern will work closely with the photo editor, and job duties will include but are not limited to: photo research and acquisition, scanning, photo retouching and organization of photos. The ideal candidate will have a background in photography, strong organizational skills, and familiarity with Mac OS, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. We also send qualified interns on photo assignments—a great opportunity for a young photographer to get his or her work published and seen by a large readership. College credit is required.
Please email a cover letter, resume and photo portfolio (if available) to ObserverInternships@observer.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA INTERNSHIPS
Observer.com hires digital interns on a semesterly basis in the fall, spring and summer. Current openings include a position with our audience development team. Former interns have gone on to be hired full time at Observer, as well as at The New York Times, New York magazine, The New Republic and many other publications.
Position: Online media intern
Commitment: At least one full day (9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) per week
Compensation: College credit required
Responsibilities may include:
– Assisting with management of Observer’s social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, etc.
– Helping to design and execute promotional events and giveaways that will increase readership and brand awareness.
– Creating lists of media outlets to pitch and helping to craft pitches.
– Managing site traffic data and formatting it into easily digestible reports.
– Updating site elements, including but not limited to related links, slide shows and story tags.
Note: This is not an editorial internship. Interns will not be given reporting assignments. However, there will be plenty of opportunities for creative thinking and copywriting.
Qualifications:
– Eligible for college credit.
– Ability to spend at least one full day per week at our Manhattan office; there may be opportunities to do some work remotely.
– Passion for online media, social media and business development.
– Basic understanding of HTML and Google Analytics are useful but not required.
– Willingness to learn quickly.
– Desire to take on responsibility and provide creative suggestions.
– Experience in media/online business preferred but not required.
To apply, email resume and brief cover letter to ObserverInternships@observer.com with subject line “Internship.”