McClatchy Summer News Internship Program 2026 Job at McClatchy in Sacramento

2026 Summer Internship Program

Get your foot in the door to impactful, local journalism by joining our Pulitzer prize-winning family of journalists this summer.

The McClatchy Summer News Internship Program offers 10-week, paid opportunities to more than 70 students and recent graduates in various areas of news across the country, including at the Miami Herald, Kansas City Star and the Sacramento Bee. Interns will gain hands-on experience in roles such as reporter, visual storyteller, opinion writer or audience / digital media specialist and will be integrated into the team as full-fledged members of the newsroom. Each intern will gain mentorship, personalized coaching and training, as well as a chance to work alongside some of the best local reporters and editors in the business. The program also includes weekly skills training sessions and networking opportunities. We are looking for determined, curious self-starters with a demonstrated passion about local journalism and eagerness to pursue a career in news. If that sounds like you, keep reading!

How to apply

You can find the full list of summer internship opportunities across our 30 markets by visiting our McClatchy careers page and entering keyword “intern.” To apply, select the link to the internship at the market(s) you’d like to be considered for (you may apply to more than one market). Review the application instructions in the job description carefully and submit all required materials for full consideration.

What happens next

While application deadlines can vary across markets, in general, our summer internship application period ranges from early October to late December, so that is when applicants should aim to get all their materials in.

Between November and March, newsroom hiring managers will review applications and begin callbacks for interviews. Applicants can expect to receive updates directly from the hiring team  only  if they are selected for a callback. Finalists should be notified by the market editor or internship coordinator of final decisions between mid-March and early May, with some variation depending on market size and need.

HBCU News Internship Initiatives

Visit our HBCU Internship page to learn more about our HBCU initiative programs including our HBCU News Internship and HBCU Development Internship and deadlines.

Please note :  Open application periods will vary by market. You can find specific deadlines and other market-specific details by clicking on the internship description for each market on the McClatchy careers page.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the duration and compensation for the McClatchy internship program?

The McClatchy internship program is a 10-week, paid internship. Interns receive an hourly wage, which varies by market.

The program is open to students and recent graduates who are authorized to work in the U.S. Most positions require on-site work, so applicants should be prepared to work at the location where the internship is offered. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application to qualify.

Internships are offered at all 30 of McClatchy's news outlets across the country, from Sacramento to Miami. You can apply to any of these locations based on your preference and availability.

Internship opportunities are posted individually by each market and the submission deadlines will also vary by market, but in general, our open application period ranges from early October to the end of November. For more information about the timelines of individual markets, you can reach out to recruitment@mcclatchy.com.

Because of the very high number of internship applicants, the selection process can take some considerable time, and our hiring team will only follow up directly with those candidates we seek to advance. When the hiring manager wishes to move forward with an interview, the candidate will be notified. While the timeline on selection for individual markets will vary, in general, most final decisions will be made by the end of April. For questions, you can contact the recruitment team at recruitment@mcclatchy.com.

Interns will participate in weekly training sessions and will be assigned a senior-level mentor. This mentorship provides coaching, professional guidance, and networking opportunities. Interns will also have the chance to learn about potential full-time opportunities within McClatchy's 30 news markets.

While a select few internship opportunities will be remote, most positions will require on-site work at the respective news outlets. Details about remote options, if available, will be provided in the internship listing.

Yes, individuals who have previously interned with us are still eligible to apply again. We love helping interns grow and develop in this field and encourage previous interns, who are able, to consider applying to a market they haven’t previously worked in to broaden their experience.

We recognize that internships can often be the first foray into full-time professional reporting experience and every applicant brings something unique to the table. In your cover letter, be sure to highlight those unique experiences and perspectives. We also want to see you demonstrate an aptitude for reporting and AP style along with a sincere interest in community coverage; and enterprise. Work that displays curiosity, professionalism, a real drive to go the extra mile for answers and versatility is going to stand out.

recblid xsiomhq0w5i5f4tb51s7vzpwbnbk4p