Internships
Editorial Internships
The New York Observer is New York's premiere weekly newspaper. For the past two decades, the salmon-colored paper has captured a loyal readership through its witty, irreverent, and opinionated coverage of New York politics, society, media, publishing, real estate, and arts and culture. Published every Wednesday, the newspaper's editorial team is led by distinguished journalist Kyle Pope.
The 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, Simon Doonan, Ron Rosenbaum, Frank DiGiacomo, Jim Windolf, Michael Lewis, Francine Prose, Philip Weiss, Joe Nocera, Susan Faludi, James Cramer, Peter Bogdanovich, Warren St. John, Jason Gay, Nick Paumgarten, Alex Kuczynski, A.J. Jacobs, and David Foster Wallace. In the mid-1990s, The Observer published "Sex and the City," Candace Bushnell's column on Manhattan's social life, on which the hit television series was based.
The Observer's website, observer.com, is updated throughout the day, with blogs on politics, culture, and real estate, as well as original reporting and analysis that consistently make national news.
The Observer's newsroom boasts a unique and tightly-knit culture that benefits from the energy and fearlessness of young reporters as well as from the experience and wisdom of editors. Interns are integrated into this environment, and into the weekly production cycle of the paper, where they have the opportunity to gain invaluable reporting and general newsroom experience. On deadline, interns are charged with fact-checking articles as they move from writer to editor to copy desk to production. Off deadline, interns are encouraged to become acquainted with editors and writers, get involved in longer-term projects, and do their own reporting and writing for the paper.
The Observer runs three internship sessions a year: Winter (early January through May), Summer (late May through August), and Fall (early September through December).
Most summer interns work five days a week, while fall and spring interns work as their schedule allows, but no fewer than two days a week. Many of our interns are published in the paper and/or online and some have continued to file for us after the internship has ended.
The Observer also hires not infrequently from its pool of interns, present and past.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Because the internship is unpaid, interns must be eligible to receive academic credit for the internship. If you are in school, contact your career counselor for more information. In some cases, students who have just graduated may participate in a summer internship and still receive credit from their school.
HOW TO APPLY
Send the following to Una LaMarche, Managing Editor (ulamarche@observer.com) and write "Observer Internship Application" in the subject line.
- 1) resume (Word or PDF)
- 2) brief cover letter (Word or PDF)
- 3) 3 Clips (Word or PDF)
Sending applications by regular mail is not necessary.
Thank you for your interest; we look forward to hearing from you.
Una LaMarche
Managing Editor
The New York Observer
915 Broadway, 9th floor
New York, NY 10010
Business and Marketing Internships
Are you interested in working at the hippest, smartest, and undeniably best written weekly newspaper in Manhattan? Here is your chance! The New York Observer is seeking an intelligent, highly motivated, and energetic individual as an intern during Winter Break and/or Spring Semester. This is an amazing opportunity for those majoring in Media, Sales, or Marketing to get hands on professional experience, build your resume, AND receive college credit. Although the internship is unpaid, you will have the opportunity to work with the Marketing Director and the Advertising Sales Directors in day to day activities. Responsibilities include preparation for sales calls, basic administrative duties, assisting with events, coordinating mailings, and other various tasks associated with our weekly newspaper. The New York Observer offers a fun and fast paced environment with flexible hours that can work around your class schedule. Please send your resume to ObserverIntern@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest.
Digital 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, reporting to the Audience Development Manager. Former interns have gone on to be hired full time at the Observer, as well as the New York Times, New York Magazine, The New Republic, and many more.
Position: Online Media Intern
Commitment: At least 1 full day (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) per week
Compensation: Unpaid; College Credit offered
Responsibilities Will Include:
-Assisting with management of the 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, slideshows, 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:
-College student or recent graduate – all majors will be considered.
-Ability to spend at least one full day per week at our Manhattan office, though there may be opportunities to do some work remotely.
-Passion for online media, business development, and New York City.
-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 alindow@observer.com with subject line “Intership.”
