What is the NJ State House News Service?

The news service is a nonprofit news organization that works collaboratively with New Jersey colleges and universities to offer student journalists the opportunity to gain valuable experience  reporting on the Legislature, state government, and politics for news organizations statewide.

Is the internship paid?

Student journalists receive academic credit for the internship from their college or university, but no financial compensation. The news service does provide interns a $750 stipend to cover the cost of traveling to and from campus to Trenton.

How long does the internship last?

The internships run concurrently with Fall and Spring semester dates at each university. We also offer a six-week intensive summer internship in cooperation with some schools.

What’s the time commitment?

Student journalists are expected to be in Trenton one day a week, Monday or Thursday, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. when the Legislature is in session. Covering hearings and other reporting work are also done remotely. The number of hours required can vary by the requirements of the student journalist’s school or program. In most cases, student journalists receiving three or more hours of academic credit should expect to spend between ten and sixteen hours per week on the internship. 

What will I do?

Student journalists will produce professional quality news stories and digital media throughout the internship. The work will be edited by staff professionals and published by local media all over the state. Student journalists should expect to produce up to ten pieces in a semester, depending on length and complexity.

Is the program multimedia?

Yes! Student journalists are encouraged to try several types of media, from print to audio to video to photography. Student journalists are encouraged to experiment with new formats and work collaboratively with others in the program on a variety of topics.

What qualifications do I need?

Student journalists are expected to have advanced classroom experience in journalism and journalistic writing. In most cases, they have other experience on small newspapers or student publications. They are also expected to fully commit to the internship and attend all required meetings and seminars.

Will I have other responsibilities?

Student journalists will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their academic programs, including managing paperwork, reporting, and notifications that the college or university may require. News service staff will be available to assist student journalists when required.

Who will I be working with?

The news service is led by Deborah Howlett, a lecturer at Rutgers University and a professional journalist with more than three decades of experience as a national reporter and bureau chief for USA Today and as a State House reporter for The (Newark) Star Ledger. The managing editor is Elise Young, a veteran reporter most recently at the Bloomberg News and earlier at the State House for the Bergen Record. The program will also work with students to find mentors from the existing professional State House reporting corps depending on areas of interest.

Interested? Apply now!