Minnesota Public Radio: Gary Eichten Internship

Apply Here!

Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is pleased to offer a student internship exclusively for the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University. That student will earn $7,200 for a full-time summer internship in the MPR newsroom. Next summer (2022), one CSB/SJU student will serve as an MPR/Gary Eichten Intern, with the selected student completing an internship at MPR, located in downtown St. Paul. Interns will learn the basics of news writing, reporting, and production with a goal to write and produce material for MPR newscasts. This prestigious internship opportunity was created in honor of Gary Eichten, a 1969 St. John’s University graduate, who wore many hats during his award-winning, 40-plus year career at Minnesota Public Radio.

The selected intern will work full-time at MPR beginning June 6 and continuing through August 26, 2022.

The selected student may elect to earn credits for the experience; those choosing to do so will work with the Associate Director of XPD - Experience and Professional Development on an individual basis to set up payment and assessment for credits earned. Prior to their commencement as MPR Interns, the student selected must participate in a training seminar in May 2022. Finally, following their summer-long experience, the intern will submit an audio-visual presentation highlighting their summer internship.

Please note, students will not be allowed to have any other paid employment during the twelve-week internship. Internship stipends will be paid directly to the student by MPR, along with reimbursement for parking or bus costs incurred.

Position Responsibility:

  • Learn writing, reporting and production techniques for radio.
  • Make calls to news sources.
  • Edit tape.
  • Assist with production.

Required Education and Experience:

  • Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at the College of St. Benedict or St. John’s University with Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing as of Fall 2021.
  • Coursework must have an emphasis in writing, communications, English or a related field

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

  • Awareness of current events, news topics and issues are essential.
  • Ability to follow directions and work under deadlines.
  • Self-motivated, resourceful, curious, and detail-oriented.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

  • Strong writing skills preferred with previous high school or college newspaper experience or media work (writing and/or photography) desirable.
  • Experience in creating multi-media content and/or production experience.
    • Familiarity with basic production skills (audio or video editing) desirable, and/or some experience with online production and editing.
    • Familiarity with the use of social media platforms, computer graphics and/or data visualization helpful.

Please contact Ethan Aronson, Senior Associate Director - External Engagement Lead - XPD at [email protected] with any questions.

The application deadline to be considered for an MPR/Gary Eichten Internship is Sunday, February 13, 2022. The selection process will begin that week with selection committee review and anticipated decisions/notification of Internship awarding by April 1.

Those interested in applying should submit the following items HERE:

1) One-page cover letter. This should include the following content:

  1. Why are you interested in the position and how will it parallel personal interests and current educational pursuits?
  2. What experiences do you hope to gain from the Internship?
  3. Discuss an MPR news story that particularly resonated with you, and why.
  4. Do you have the required and/or preferred skills and experience listed above? If so, be sure to include this on your resume and highlight pertinent skill sets in your cover letter. If not, please explain how you would go about acquiring those skills.

2) Optional supplemental question (will be answered as part of the online application).

  1. Describe an example of something in your background that gives you a unique life perspective.

3) Résumé: include relevant paid and unpaid work/volunteer experiences, relevant course or other training, conferences or workshops attended, honors and awards, public talks or media involvement, and other skills such as languages or computer skills;

4) References: names can be indicated via your online application. References should include full contact information for two (2) people who are able to give a holistic view on your academics, non-academics, skills, etc. Please send references the required link for them to complete your online reference.

5) Two Writing Samples: submit your strongest writing samples regardless of in-class or outside of class creation. Samples could include news writing, creative essays or other original, non-academic work. Research papers are discouraged. The strongest applications will include newspaper articles or non-fiction writing that demonstrates an applicant’s ability to review a set of facts, find the most important, and then write a clear, concise account. Any/all samples should be 1,500 words (at most). Podcasts or audio/visual materials cannot be substituted for writing samples but could be submitted as supplemental materials.

**For helpful tips on writing responses for the supplemental questions, résumé writing, and interview techniques, please visit the XPD - Experience and Professional Development website: http://www.csbsju.edu/xpd/career/students/howto