WCVB Media Mentors Fellowship

Job Description

The WCVB Media Mentors Fellowship is designed to give students exposure to the television broadcast news industry. The fellowship will give the student an opportunity to learn from a cross section of departments as well and to spend focused time in a specialty of their choice. This fellowship was created as part of the WCVB Media Mentors Initiative with a purpose of creating a better informed, better prepared, and diverse next generation of media professionals.

Fellowship Eligibility

• Currently enrolled at a community college. Students graduating in Spring 2026 are encouraged to apply.
• Interested in pursuing a career in media arts, journalism, and/or technology.
• Able to commit to a summer fellowship lasting a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks. This is a part-time opportunity (up to 24 hours per week), typically beginning in May or June. Specific start and end dates will be determined upon offer acceptance.

Application Requirements:

• Resume detailing relevant work and experience.
• Cover letter (PDF format only; Word documents will not be accepted) that expresses interest in the fellowship and highlights your qualifications, including:
  • Your interest in media arts, journalism, and/or technology
  • Relevant coursework and work experience
• At least two (2) writing samples and/or links to relevant work (e.g., websites, videos, audio productions, etc.)
• One recommendation or department approval form from a school faculty member (required)
• One recommendation from a work or volunteer supervisor (optional)

Application Process and Additional Information:

• This is a Summer 2026 fellowship.
• The fellowship is 100% on-site.
• A background check, including a review of social media, will be conducted upon acceptance of an offer.

Department Descriptions:

Newsroom

Fellows will have the opportunity to explore various areas within the News Department, including:

Assignment Desk

• Assist team members with content gathering and planning.
• Gather and organize press releases, emails, phone calls, social media and viewer tips.
• Develop and pitch story ideas. 

TV News Production

• Writing and formatting scripts for broadcast.
• Shadow reporters or anchors in the field when available.

Digital News Production

• Conduct research and write content for WCVB digital platforms including the WCVB app, WCVB.com and various social media platforms.
• Assist with photo and video production. 

CityLine

"CityLine" is Channel 5's award-winning urban news and feature magazine program. The program focuses on the issues, concerns, and news affecting the Commonwealth's communities of color. The topics can range from social justice inequities to ethnic restaurants and everything in between. Must have knowledge of current local and national events that impact communities of color.

Fellows will learn to:

• Learn to research story ideas for weekly show production
• Pre-screen and book guests: may include pre-interview phone calls to guests or communications with managers
• Assist with field productions
• Learn to write program promotions and in-studio interview questions
• Accommodate guests on Thursday morning tape days
• Learn to create smooth transitions between recorded segments
• Learn to write web summaries for upcoming shows

Broadcast Technical Operations

The Technical Operations fellowship resides within WCVB’s Engineering department. This includes actual “hands on” operation of equipment under the observation of permanent tech op staff members. The goal of this fellowship is to expose the student to real world daily technical operations in a television station. 

Fellows will have the opportunity to explore various areas within the Engineering Department, including:

• Control Room/Studio Operations (Floor Direct, Robos, Audio, TD)
• Air Operations (Master Control/Air Assist)
• ENG Receive
• IT

Equipment Use: WCVB-TV is a union shop. As the purpose of the fellowship is to gain training in the technical areas, students will be allowed to touch and train on the technical equipment. Use of the equipment will be limited and closely supervised and monitored.

Chronicle

Chronicle is WCVB’s nightly news magazine and is the longest-running, locally produced news magazine program in the country. Chronicle presents a mix of features on the people, places, and stories of New England.

Fellows will learn to:

• Conduct research, including researching footage from old shows and news tapes, as well as via the Internet and phone calls.
• Update repeat shows for re-air.
• Answer viewer calls.
• Archive nightly shows.
• Assist producers with logging video footage from shoots
• Fellows may have the opportunity to attend field shoots with producers

Salary: $20/hour

Values in Action

At Hearst Television we tell stories every day. Stories about people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. That's why, behind the scenes, we believe in being an organization that fosters collaboration and open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to the communities we serve.

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