Joint Waco Tribune-Herald and Baylor JPR&NM Internship and Scholarship Program Come to Fruition after Two Years of Planning
After a nearly two-year gestation period, the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations & New Media and the Waco Tribune-Herald will launch a new internship program with an accompanying scholarship in the fall of 2022.
The joint program began as conversations between Professor Robert Darden and Chair Moody-Ramirez and Tribune-Herald Editor J.B. Smith about ways that the Department could provide additional resources to the local newspaper.
Like many newspapers, the Tribune-Herald’s staff has suffered cutbacks in recent years, leaving the existing reporters increasingly stretched even as Waco has grown.
"I am very excited to see this program come to fruition," Moody-Ramirez said. "This internship is the result."
According to Smith, the Waco Tribune-Herald is looking for a creative, motivated student journalist for a 20-hour a week internship in the fall of 2022. Smith said that qualified candidates should be inquisitive self-starters who can produce compelling content for their digital and print platforms.
Interns will work alongside professional journalists in the newsroom, who will provide guidance, direction and support.
“We’re looking forward to putting Baylor interns to work covering real news in our community,” Smith said. “This is an opportunity for students to branch out beyond the Baylor campus and cover local government, crime, community events and social issues in a market of more than a quarter million people. We are looking for ambitious applicants who want to build their portfolios and learn the craft from experienced fellow reporters and editors.”
Interns will receive customized training on a variety of topics related to reporting, such as how to develop sources, how to prioritize diversity and inclusion in news coverage and how to pitch a great story.
Darden, who once worked for the Tribune-Herald, said that interns will walk away with a rewarding, real-world newsroom experience, great clips for their portfolios and the skills they need to develop into the next generation of journalists.
In addition, the Department will provide a $6,000 scholarship to help with tuition. Both the internship and scholarship can renew each semester by mutual agreement.
Smith said that the Tribune-Herald is still accepting applications for the fall internship. The newspaper currently has two Baylor interns through the Tribune-Herald’s parent company (Lee Enterprises) and the APME -- Matt Kyle and Erianne Lewis.
“We’re all excited about getting more interns and would be open to multiple internships at the same time,” Smith said.