Community Engagement & Events Intern - Spring 2025

About Chicago Public Media

Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.

WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago’s oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards.  In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations. 

Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world.  And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.

OVERVIEW

We at Chicago Public Media are committed to making a meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector. We believe in nurturing the talents of the next generation, and we are excited to offer an internship opportunity designed to help you develop essential skills for a career in the nonprofit, marketing, community engagement and/or event management sector(s).

Throughout the Events internship, students will work within the Community Engagement Department to further develop their programming and production skills. You will assist in the planning, execution, and implementation of events, including on-site setup and teardown.  If you are a student who is passionate about public programming, arts and culture events, and the nonprofit sector, we encourage you to apply for this internship. It's a unique opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause and develop valuable skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Interest in Nonprofit and/or news Industry: If you have a passion for making a positive difference in the world, this is the place for you.
• 2+ years in event production (theater, live music, virtual, student productions, etc.) 
• 1-2 years in a creative role (social media, programming, booking, etc)
• Basic understanding of event technology (audio, lights, video) 
• Experience with database management (AirTable, Google Drive) 
• Familiarity with contracts and agreements (vendor, presenter, venue, etc.)
• Effective Communication: Both written and oral communication skills are essential. You will draft, edit, and circulate event descriptions, audience communications, and other event-related materials. 
• Flexible schedule, including the ability to work evenings and weekends

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Project Management: You will communicate with venues, external production staff, and various stakeholders during the event planning process.  Your attention to detail and commitment to quality service delivery is highly valued.
• Effective Communication: Both written and oral communication skills are essential. You will draft, edit, and circulate event descriptions, audience communications, and other event-related materials. 
• Problem-Solving Skills: You will have the chance to apply your intuition and resourcefulness to real-world challenges.
• Independence and Teamwork: You'll have the opportunity to work independently and within a collaborative team environment.
• Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills: Building relationships and providing excellent service is a key component of this role.
• Tech Proficiency: Experience within the Google eco space is vital to the work.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project Management: You will communicate with venues, external production staff, and various stakeholders during the event planning process. Additional administrative duties as assigned. 
• Drafting, editing, and circulating event overviews, tech sheets, audience communications, and other event-related materials. 
• Drafting and reviewing contracts from various vendors, contractors, and venues as needed. 
• Reviewing event content, marketing materials, and other promotional information.
• Maintaining Airtable database, video & photo archive, and Google Drive. 
• Assisting with the production of live events, including backstage and front-of-house operations.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Building Collaborative Relationships: Learn how to work effectively within a team and build lasting connections in the nonprofit industry.
• Professional Behavior: Develop essential professional conduct and ethics.
• Results-Driven: See the tangible impact of your work on our mission.
• Customer Orientation: Understand the needs of our target market.
• Flexibility: Adapt to the dynamic and ever-evolving world of community engagement and event production. Candidates are expected to work outside of traditional business hours.

We are located at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. All interns must be able to work from our office and studios at Navy Pier in Chicago or at off-site locations as needed. 

A bit about our internship programs:

• Many, but not all, of our interns have completed college or some other form of education and/or certification in the journalism or media field(s).
• Many go on to careers in public media or other outlets. Many have found their way back to WBEZ, too.
• We pay $20/hour, non-negotiable

Interns work a total of 480 hours over 20-24 weeks (February 2025 - August 2025) 

• The position is primarily daytime work hours on a Monday through Friday schedule with the occasional need to work evenings and weekends. Flexibility in availability is required. 

What we are looking for our candidates to display in their resumes, cover letters and interview conversations: 

• Knowledge about WBEZ and our mission of serving the community
• Strong interest in learning and contributing to our mission 
• Curiosity and the willingness to learn
• Understanding of the value of bringing together diverse perspectives
• Why WBEZ is part of your career planning in journalism and media
• Specific skills you want to learn during the internship 
• Familiarity with Chicago’s live event landscape and a general knowledge of arts & culture in a major market. 
• Desire to strengthen event production and programming skills
• Strong interest in live event production
• Ability to troubleshoot and think creatively 
• If applicable, any links to a portfolio of writing samples; audio, video, or multimedia packages; or other completed work that may be relevant to this opening

The application deadline is January 3, 2025. Managers plan to select candidates by January 24, 2025. 

Accepted applicants will be required to start training in Chicago February, 2025. The internship ends early-August, 2025 or when your allotted hours have been fulfilled.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.  Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged.  We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

Chicago Public Media’s dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work.  We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include:

• 6 weeks fully paid family leave
• High quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable cost
• A 403(b)retirement plan with a company match
• Generous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks’ vacation and 4 personal days.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.