NBC 4 LA Internships – Academic Year

  • Intern
  • Business Segment: NBCUniversal Local

Company Description

If you think all the fun only happens in summer, think again! NBCUniversal has expanded our Academic Year Internship Program. As an Academic Year intern, you’ll get immersed in exciting work, experience our unique NBCU culture, and feel the real support and guidance for 2 whole semesters. 

The NBCUniversal Internship Program allows students to unlock their potential by contributing to big projects in meaningful ways that matter. To thrive as an NBCU intern, you are ready to bring your passion for media, entertainment, and technology along with your desire to learn each day. 

In addition to our internships being paid, we will also offer the following for our Academic Year interns: 

  • Paid time off for mental health, school exams, and personal holidays. 

  • Robust networking, learning and development opportunities. 

  • Complimentary Peacock subscription during your internship. 

  • Free admission to Universal Parks to use during your internship. 

  • Access to mental health resources including counseling sessions. 

  • At our Universal City office, interns will have access to the NBCUCommutes program, which offers free Metro fares and discounted Metrolink/Vanpool/Lyft trips.  

Academic Year Recruitment Timeline:

April 8 – April 26: Applications Open (may close early due to applicant volume)  

Mid April – Late May: First round video interviews   

Early – Mid June: Second round interviews  

Late June – Early July: Selected candidates receive offers  

Job Description

Academic Year Internship Program: 

  • Applications Close: April 26th at 11:59pm ET. Pro Tip: Submit your application as soon as possible – applications could close earlier due to applicant volume!  

  • Program Dates: September 16, 2024 – April 18, 2025  

  • Time Commitment: 16-24 hours per week. Exact schedule to be determined based on business need.  We will do our best to accommodate course schedules. 

  • Format: Opportunities listed will require an intern to work from Universal City, CA.  

To Apply: 

  • Submit a one-page resume that outlines your work experience, accomplishments, and your graduation month and year. 

  • Submit a cover letter that highlights your passion for NBCUniversal, the locations (listed below) you are open to for internships, and your top areas of interest (opportunities listed below). 

  • Upload a transcript (unofficial transcripts are fine) that confirms your status as an actively enrolled student in a degree-granting program. 

NBCUniversal Local is NBCUniversal’s local media division that delivers English and Spanish-speakers and bilingual audiences in 31 U.S. markets and Puerto Rico, the very best in local sports, news, weather, consumer and investigative reporting, and lifestyle entertainment across any platform and screen. NBCUniversal Local is comprised of three individual media groups including the NBC Owned Television Stations, the NBC Sports Regional Networks and the Telemundo Station Group. NBCUniversal Local’s stations and networks serve diverse audiences and communities across linear, streaming, OTT, digital web, mobile and audio, and cable platforms and work together to keep local audiences informed anytime and anywhere.  

Areas of placement may include, but are not limited to: 

  • News: Looking for passionate, hard-working, curious, emerging journalists, ready to be part of a dynamic major market newsroom. Interns assist assignment editors, show producers, package producers, writers, editors, and reporters - working under deadline and across platforms helping with a full range of news gathering activities. Responsibilities may include: identifying/pitching compelling stories, following up on story leads, fact-checking and story development, finding visual news elements and getting clearances, identifying story sources/experts, pre-interviewing subjects, logging breaking news events, and assisting in all manner of news gathering. Specific areas of placement within news include: Investigative Team, Politics, Sports, OTT, Assignment Desk, and Special Projects.  

  • Local Integrated Media: Interns will work with an integrated digital news team, working alongside veteran award-winning journalists who publish on the TV stations’ websites in English and Spanish, post to their branded social channels, and much more. Interns will cultivate news writing skills, work in a fast-paced environment, sharpen reporting skills, and learn to work in a multitude of programs toward one major goal: breaking accurate news fast online. The team works in tandem with the TV stations’ newscasts, converting on-air scripts to easy-to-read digital stories with attention-grabbing headlines. Responsibilities may include: Making calls, interviewing sources, writing stories and publishing in a CMS (content management system), clipping reporter videos for the website with SEO-friendly and attention-grabbing headlines and descriptions, and crafting social posts for the stations’ branded accounts and/or gathering UGC (user generated content) from social media to use on the website, on-air broadcast, or social accounts. 

  • Sales & Marketing Research: Interns will assist the Sales Marketing team with the following responsibilities: creating PowerPoint presentations for use by Account Executives, writing scripts for sales segments, performing air-checks for on-air clients, performing research on potential ad sales clients, providing support with sweepstakes execution, and supporting the Sales Marketing team on ad hoc projects. 

  • Marketing: Interns will assist the Marketing team with the following responsibilities: supporting the end-to-end production process of live lifestyle segments - including pre-production planning, on-set assistance, and post-production tasks to ensure smooth operations and high-quality output; contributing to the development and execution of content strategies across various social media platforms - including creating and scheduling engaging posts, monitoring user interactions, and analyzing performance metrics to increase audience engagement and growth; performing copy editing tasks for scripts, social media posts, and promotional materials - ensuring clarity, consistency, accuracy, and adherence to the brand's voice and style guidelines; coordinating the booking and scheduling of guests for live segments - including liaising with publicists, managing logistical details, and preparing briefing materials for hosts and production staff; participating in live shoots and providing on-site support to ensure the smooth execution of outdoor segments - including handling equipment, assisting talent, and managing any unforeseen challenges; engaging with the program's audience through social media and other digital platforms by responding to comments and messages and fostering a positive community environment; conducting research on potential topics, trends, and guests that align with the program's theme and audience interests; contributing to creative brainstorming sessions and content planning meetings, and supporting the marketing and promotions team in creating compelling promotional materials and campaigns to boost viewership and audience engagement for both live and recorded segments. 

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: 

  • Must be actively enrolled in a degree-granting program at an accredited institution during the entire duration of the program (September 2024 through April 2025). December 2024 graduates are not eligible for our 2024-2025 Academic Year Program. 

  • Current class standing of sophomore or above (30 credits).  

  • Must be authorized to work in the United States throughout the entire duration of the internship (September 2024 to April 2025). Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 

  • Must be available to work 16-24 hours per week from September 16, 2024 to April 18, 2025. 

  • Must be willing to work in Universal City, CA. 

Desired Characteristics: 

  • Students with class standing of junior or above preferred.  

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. 

  • Strong writing, time management, and interpersonal skills.  

  • For News: Fluent in the news of the day and the Los Angeles news market (i.e., local politics, sports, culture, etc.); Experience working with a campus TV station, newspaper, or website; Experience with desktop editing; Social media fluency; Ability to condense and prioritize information; Willing to take on new projects; Eye for unique and community-based stories; Comfortability reaching out and communicating with viewers, subject matter experts, and local government agencies; Majors in Broadcast Journalism, Journalism, English, Communications, Media Studies, Political Science, or other related fields preferred; Interest in some of the following news areas: Breaking News, Community, Consumer News, Entertainment, Investigative, Longer length in-depth, Politics, Special Projects, and/or Sports. 

  • For Local Integrated Media: Proficiency in AP Style; Experience writing and reporting for school newspapers/websites; Above-average news judgment and what qualifies as a quality news story; Experience posting for a university publication’s branded social accounts and a working knowledge of social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter); Ability to multitask; Bilingual in written English and Spanish a plus; Experience with WordPress, Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, and/or Wildmoka a plus. 

  • For Sales & Marketing Research: Interest in sales, marketing, and market research; Strong communication and creative skills; Multicultural awareness; Bilingual in written English and Spanish a plus.

  • For Marketing: Multimedia Production Skills: Proficiency in basic video production, editing, and photography - familiarity with industry-standard software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Premiere Pro) and equipment (cameras, microphones) is essential for assisting in the production of high-quality content; Social Media Savvy: Strong understanding of social media platforms (such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and their respective best practices – demonstrating the ability to create engaging content, analyze metrics, and adapt strategies to grow and engage with the audience; Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial for interacting with team members, guests, and the program's audience, and interpersonal skills are necessary for working collaboratively in a team, networking with industry professionals, and managing guest relations; Creativity and Innovation: Ability to think creatively and bring fresh ideas to content production and problem-solving - this involves being open to new concepts, willing to experiment with new formats, and continuously seeking ways to improve the program's appeal and engagement; Organizational and Time Management Abilities: Strong organizational skills to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and efficiently - this includes prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining a high level of attention to detail, especially in a fast-paced, live production environment. 

The hourly rate for undergraduate student interns is $17.00  

The hourly rate for graduate student interns is $25.00  

INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ATTENDING U.S. UNIVERSITIES: 

To participate in NBCUniversal’s 2024-2025 Academic Year internship program, you must confirm at the time of interview that you will be able to provide US work authorization documentation for the entire duration of the internship. Since the NBCU Academic Year Internship Program spans the traditional “Fall” and “Spring” semesters, you should talk to the DSO at your school’s International Students Services Office about your need to apply for CPT work authorization twice to ensure you are authorized to work both semesters and throughout the entirety of the program. 

Please also note that future visa sponsorship at NBCUniversal is rarely available for post-grad employment opportunities. 

NBCUniversal is an E-Verify company, requiring all employees to have an active Social Security number. Any candidate receiving an internship offer must complete Form I-9 with their Social Security number within 3 days of hire. 

Additional Information

NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.

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