Institute of Politics

Overview of Organization:

WisPolitics.com is an online political and government news service in Madison that operates WisPolitics.com, WisBusiness.com, WisOpinion.com and other news services. WisPolitics.com, the flagship news service, launched in June 2000. WisPolitics.com seeks an intern to support reporters and staff in covering state government and politics in Wisconsin. With the state set to host the 2024 Republican National Convention, this internship presents a unique opportunity to be at the heart of political reporting in a perennial swing state. The intern will report directly to WisPolitics.com President Jeff Mayers and contribute to creating content for the Convention Corridor page, focusing on the proximity of the nation's major political parties hosting their national conventions just 90 miles apart.

Internship Summary:

Join WisPolitics.com as a State Government and Politics Reporting Intern, working directly with seasoned professionals to cover political events, meetings, press conferences, and speeches in Wisconsin. This hands-on internship offers experience in news writing, multimedia content creation, information gathering, and fact-checking, providing a comprehensive view of state-level politics and government proceedings. The intern will write news stories, take photographs, record video and audio, and assist staff with information gathering and fact-checking. Other duties may include helping post press releases and events to our websites as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Write clear, accurate, and balanced news stories on political meetings, press conferences, and speeches under tight deadlines.
• Utilize AP Style and assist in content creation for the Convention Corridor page.
• Capture photographs, record audio and video, and aid in information gathering and fact-checking.
• Assist in posting press releases and events on WisPolitics.com websites.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to write clear, concise, accurate and balanced news accounts of meetings, press conferences and speeches on tight deadlines.
• Ability to take photographs and record audio and video as necessary.
• Familiarity with AP Style and basic computer skills. Knowledge of WordPress is advantageous.
• Proficiency in multimedia content creation (photography, audio, and video recording).
• Ability to interact professionally with people from differing political and ideological backgrounds.
• Candidates should not be active members of partisan political organizations.

About The Supervisor:

Jeff Mayers is president of WisPolitics.com, an online political and government news service in Madison that operates WisPolitics.com, WisBusiness.com, WisOpinion.com and other news services. WisPolitics.com, the flagship news service, launched in June 2000. A former AP editor and reporter and political writer for the Wisconsin State Journal, Mayers has been in the news business since graduating from George Washington University in 1981. He also has a graduate degree from UW-Madison. In addition, Mayers has been involved in several book projects. He also has written articles and columns for a variety of state, regional and national publications.

Location, Modality:

This summer internship takes place in-person in Madison, Wisconsin, in the WisPolitics.com offices, 2 S. Carroll St., Ste. 235, Madison, WI 53703. Some in-state travel opportunities may arise.

Start and End Date:

Summer internships will take place during the period of June 10 - September 27 with specific dates to be determined by the employer partner and intern during the interview process.