Legislative Reporting Intern

Description

Community Impact’s internship program is an innovative experience for individuals interested in launching their community journalism careers. During the 2027 Texas legislative session, our Legislative Reporting Intern has the opportunity to work alongside a small state reporting team to translate what happens under the Pink Dome into news that matters in readers’ neighborhoods. Community Impact serves over 60 communities throughout the state of Texas, and our print publications reach more than 2 million mailboxes per month. Throughout the session, you’ll build your storytelling skills, dive into bill-tracking and data-heavy assignments, and help readers across Community Impact's coverage areas understand how decisions in Austin affect their roads, taxes and local governments.

ABOUT YOU

You should apply for this internship if you:

• Are looking to kick-start your career in journalism and want hands-on experience covering state government
• Feel passionate about delivering high-quality, local journalism and making policy understandable for everyday readers
• Are currently studying for a degree in journalism
• Must have experience writing in AP Style for a student publication or media company
• Are detail-oriented and comfortable working with legislative data, bill text, and public records
• Can get to the Texas Capitol in Austin and have reliable transportation

WHY JOIN COMMUNITY IMPACT

By the end of the session, you’ll finish with a well-rounded statehouse reporting experience, which will include tracking bills as they move through committee and the floor, attending hearings at the Capitol, shadowing reporters, writing web and print stories that connect state policy to local communities, and contributing to our highly-read sections of the paper. You’ll leave with real clips covering one of the most consequential periods on the Texas political calendar.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be enrolled in college and a junior, senior or graduate student working toward their degree, or may have graduated within six months of the internship start date. Experience working for a collegiate student publication or media outlet is required.

COMPENSATION

This is a part-time, session-length internship paid at an hourly rate of $15.

SCHEDULES

Our standard work week is Monday through Friday, but legislative work is unpredictable: committee hearings, late floor sessions, and major deadlines may require evening and occasional weekend hours, especially as the session’s key deadlines approach. 

If you feel that journalism is your calling and want a front-row seat to Texas politics, we highly encourage you to apply today.

Requirements

Ability to work outside of regular office hours to cover hearings, floor sessions, and legislative deadlines.

Ability to be at the Capitol and out in the communities we serve, taking photos and connecting with sources, lawmakers and their staff.

Availability of 20 hours per week.