WCMU Public Radio seeks reporting interns for summer 2026
About WCMU Public Media
WCMU Public Radio, an NPR affiliate station serving listeners and readers across central and northern Michigan, is offering up to four paid reporting internships from May 11 - Aug. 14, 2026.
"I gained more journalism experience and skills this summer than I have in all my time in college."Jill Harrington, 2022 intern
This opportunity is only available for students enrolled at Central Michigan University. Students of all majors are encouraged to apply, especially those who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism or want to improve their communication and writing skills. Audio production experience is not required. This internship is eligible for course credit in several departments across campus.
WCMU’s reporting has garnered several national, regional and statewide awards, including recognition from the Public Media Journalists Association, the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
Our reporting interns will have the opportunity for their work to be syndicated on the Michigan Public Radio Network, Harvest Public Media, the Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative and several local newspapers and digital-first news websites. The stories our interns produce will also be considered for national and regional awards.
Previous WCMU reporting interns have gone onto work at the New York Times, MLive, Midland Daily News, WILX-10, Ludington Daily News, WRJT-12, Maine Public, The Buckeye Flame, WLNS-6, Springfield Daily Citizen, St. Joseph Herald-Palladium among others.
“It’s the first thing I’ve done that has changed my view on my chosen profession, in a good way. It really showed me what journalism is all about. It’s definitely the highlight of my college experience.”Riley Connell, 2021 intern
What will this internship look like?
Reporting interns will work closely with editors to produce both audio and print news stories that impact people across central and northern Michigan. Interns will be given story assignments but will be expected to pitch and produce their own stories. The expectation is that interns will file several stories a week, make daily cold calls to sources, attend the occasional long public meeting and speak to people in-person with recording equipment in order to write and produce stories.
"I learned how to work independently and be self-sufficient, which gave me the freedom to test out my instincts as a journalist."Mia Kerner, 2025 intern
Three of the four reporting interns will be paired with an outside news organization. This will give interns an opportunity to produce stories for multiple news organizations and experience working with different editors. All interns are WCMU employees.
Two interns will be based in the Northern Lower Peninsula at either the Alpena News or Traverse City Record-Eagle, where they will file regional stories for both WCMU and the newspapers.
Another intern will be based in Mount Pleasant and be remotely embedded with the team at Bridge Michigan, focusing on rural life and enterprise reporting in the Northern Lower Peninsula. This intern will be expected to travel (more details below).
The fourth intern will be based in Mount Pleasant with the WCMU newsroom, focusing on general assignment reporting in our 48-county coverage area.
How much will I be paid? Do I have to pay for travel?
Reporting interns will be expected to work 40 hours a week over a 14-week period at a starting hourly wage of $13.73. The internship runs May 11 through Aug. 14. Interns are eligible for earned sick time and will receive one hour of earned sick time for every 30 hours worked.
Before students begin producing stories, WCMU will provide up to two weeks of paid training in Mount Pleasant on the fundamentals of audio journalism.
Interns will be responsible for their own housing and transportation. They must also have a valid driver's license, or have one in their possession, by May 11. WCMU does not provide a housing stipend or laptops. Interns will be expected to have their own laptop and cell phone in order to produce stories. WCMU will provide students with recording equipment, an office phone number and access to desktop computers in the Mount Pleasant studios.
Interns based in Mount Pleasant will have access to station vehicles and gas cards for reporting trips upon university approval. Interns who use their personal vehicles for reporting trips will be eligible to receive millage and compensation for meals.
How do I apply?
Interested applicants are required to complete the following:
- Fill out and submit THIS APPLICATION FORM
- Submit a cover letter, resume and at least two news stories you've written (class assignments are welcome) to Rick Brewer at rick.brewer@cmich.edu with “WCMU internship” in the subject line.
The deadline to submit the materials above is Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Attend an in-person meeting in Moore Hall 424 (Caponigro Lab) on Friday Jan. 30, 2026, from 9 to 1 p.m. During this meeting, students will learn more about the internship and all of its finer details. Students can also expect to write a news story that day and be interviewed by our committee. This is a business casual event.
- Once all the applications are submitted, prospective interns will receive final instructions and logistical information about the in-person meeting by Wednesday, Jan. 28.
If you have questions, please drop WCMU News Director Rick Brewer a line at rick.brewer@cmich.edu. No phone calls or in-person visits.
“There were days I struggled to get a hold of any source, and there were days I would have 5-6 interviews in a row. But since I knew where to go next - how to write, how to edit the audio, setting up editing appointments - it made things easier no matter how the sources responded because I could keep the product organized and on track.”Courtney Boyd, 2024 intern