Internships

The Progressive is proud of its long-running internship program, which has helped launch young writers and editors who go on to work with diverse organizations all over the country. Our graduates work for The Wall Street Journal, The Nation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Capital Times, and Center for Popular Democracy among other establishments. 

Our Madison-based team produces both The Progressive magazine and our website, offering news and analysis pieces posted daily to over 200,000 visitors a month. This work, plus our Public Schools Advocate and Progressive Perspectives programs create opportunities for creative and motivated interns. We are looking for candidates interested in current events and progressive politics, with solid clips and references, and able to work both collaboratively and independently. Flexibility and a sense of humor required.

Click here to read what our former interns have to say!

Internships - Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2025!

Digital Media Internship

We are looking for a digital media intern with experience in social media management, graphic design, data visualization, storytelling, video and infographics to work with the editorial staff in creating and posting original content.

Opportunities include authoring original digital content for our website and social media, researching and experimenting with social media and audience engagement strategies, creating art for our online stories, attending editorial meetings, and working with writers and our art director to create content. 

Reports to: Digital Engagement Coordinator

Editorial Internship

Editorial interns are critical members of the editorial team at The Progressive. Editorial interns may assist in producing The Progressive magazine, the progressive.org website, he Public Schools Advocate project, and Progressive Perspectives op-eds. The Public Schools Advocate project supports a diverse group of writers and bloggers who contribute pieces to our website about the importance of public education for democracy. 

Responsibilities may include editing and fact checking, attending editorial meetings, writing and researching stories, and helping to plan content. Opportunities include planning, authoring, and posting content on our website and social media, researching and experimenting with social media and audience engagement strategies, creating art for online stories, working with writers and our art director, and creating magazine content. Interns may choose to focus on specific areas of interest within this scope.

Useful Skills: Editing, fact-checking, and strong writing skills. Familiarity with alternative media and progressive politics. Visual and text-based storytelling, infographic or video design/production, and image editing. Social media literacy, comfort working with websites. Familiarity with AP style for print publications.

Reports to: Editors

Publishing Internship 

The publishing intern works with the Publisher and Office Manager in running a well-organized, small, nonprofit office helping produce a historic, nationally-read publication. Tasks include assisting in donor and subscriber relations, op-ed writing workshops, events coordination, fund-raising initiatives, and database management. Based on the intern's interest, this internship may also include editorial duties. This internship requires  working in our office in Madison, Wisconsin.

Useful Skills: Ability to work independently, excellent phone etiquette, attention to detail, enthusiasm and commitment to the multiple tasks of running an office,  critical thinking and letter-writing skills.

Reports to: Publisher

To Apply (all positions):

Please email cover letter and resumé—including links to or samples of work—as a single PDF document. Please title it following this naming convention: Last name, First name - Name of Internship _Semester-Year. Email it to: info@progressive.org. 

Editorial and Digital Media Intern applicants should include 2-3 samples of your work! (Optional for publishing intern applicants.)

Credit and Stipend Compensation: Interns are expected to work an average of 10 hours per week. The Progressive is dedicated to providing internships that meet the qualification for earning academic credit. Staff will help hired interns apply and complete requirements to earn internship credit for their college’s equivalent course. In addition to receiving credit, interns at The Progressive also earn a stipend. If academic credit will not be received, The Progressive will offer fair compensation based on hours worked.

* The Progressive, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply. *