Join us this summer as a paid intern and gain practical education and professional experience while having a great time working alongside reporters and editors in our newsroom.

You will work on stories, be assigned a mentor, and learn from experienced journalists about the ever-changing world of news.

At McClatchy, we strive to be the eyes, ears and voice of the communities we cover. We know to do this effectively takes training up a new generation of driven and diverse journalists.

Our summer news internships are 10-week, paid positions on-site that provide weekly skills training sessions and networking opportunities.

As a News Intern, You Can Expect To

Be treated like a staff member, whether you are working as a reporter, visual storyteller, or audience / social media specialist.
You will be assigned to a senior-level mentor during the internship and will receive coaching, training and mentoring.
Work with seasoned staffers and work directly with local leaders.

The Tribune is one of 30 news organizations in McClatchy. We primarily serve San Luis Obispo County, covering important issues like government accountability, housing affordability, education, the coastal environment, major industries like tourism and wine, Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant and more. We are an award-winning organization with a reputation for accuracy, fairness, credibility and civic purpose. We emphasize a collaborative newsroom culture that fosters growth and celebrates success. The Tribune has been awarded first place for general excellence by the California News Publishers Association four times in the past six years and back to back in 2022 and 2023.

We put a premium on breaking stories first as well as investing in hard-nosed, accountability journalism that our audience can’t get anywhere else.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $17.50 and $17.50 per hour. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, department equity and relevant education.

Previous experience reporting and/or producing for a student or professional news publication is a plus. This internship program involves on-site work, so interns should be prepared to live near the location of their respective newsrooms.

To apply: Please upload a persuasive cover letter, resume and 3-5 samples of your best news-related work. Incomplete applications may not be given full consideration.

Deadline: The deadline for this opening has been extended until 5 p.m. PST May 15, 2025

For questions, contact McClatchy Deputy Director of News Talent Acquisition & Development Rhema Bland at rbland@mcclatchy.com.

About McClatchy

Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 57 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger.

As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth—a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.

Jobs in San Luis Obispo

News Intern - SLO