We're very proud of our internship program at WGN: virtually every department at the radio station has at least one former intern as an employee. This page exists to educate you about our program -- what internships we offer, what requirements we have, what you might expect in a WGN internship, and how to apply (we'll even throw in a few helpful tips to make your application stand out!). First, let's look at the internships offered at WGN Radio:

• Programming (AM Drive) - Assists in daily production of WGN's highly-rated morning drive show, the Spike O'Dell Radio Program, including: audio production, developing show ideas, booking guests, screening phones, editing and special projects.
  E-mail resume and cover letter to Beth Swierk at ProgrammingInternships@wgnradio.com
• Programming (General Survey) - Assists in day-to-day production of midday and afternoon drive programs, including: developing show ideas, screening phones, audio production, editing, archiving and other special projects. Provides WGN's highlight show, 720 Rewind, with segments and talking points.
  E-mail resume and cover letter to Beth Swierk at ProgrammingInternships@wgnradio.com
• News (Daytime) - Our news interns function as desk assistants. Responsibilities include editing digital audio, writing leads to sound bites, processing network feeds from ABC Radio, answering phones and assisting with major event coverage. (See deadline note below.)
  E-mail resume and cover letter to Rob Hart at NewsInternships@wgnradio.com
• News (Evenings) - Our news interns function as desk assistants. Responsibilities include editing digital audio, writing leads to sound bites, processing network feeds from ABC Radio, answering phones and assisting with major event coverage. (See deadline note below.)
  E-mail resume and cover letter to Rob Hart at NewsInternships@wgnradio.com
• Sports - Covers sporting events, answers phones, researches, writes, and produces stories. Assists in production of play-by-play presentations and sports talk shows, including: booking, ideation, screening phones, audio production, editing, completion of promotional/programming paperwork, and special projects.
  E-mail resume and cover letter to Mike Ferrin at SportsInternships@wgnradio.com
• Promotions - This position calls for an enthusiastic and eager individual who is able to effectively interact and communicate with a variety of individuals both within and outside of WGN Radio. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, in addition to strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Throughout the course of the internship, the intern will be asked to work with individuals from several departments within WGN Radio, including promotions, programming, and sales. The intern’s duties include preparing weekly press releases, writing promotional announcements, preparing for and working at promotional events, compiling and editing the Community Calendar feature on wgnradio.com, and carrying out special projects.
  E-mail resume and cover letter to Jenny Eck at PromotionsInternships@wgnradio.com
• Sales - This is an interactive and dynamic internship that relies on the intern to be self-motivated and disciplined, with a passion for learning. The intern will create sales marketing materials that will be used to upsell current clients and sell prospects advertising campaigns on WGN Radio. The intern will go on actual sales calls with account executives to learn about the sales process. The intern will work on sales initiatives that connect radio advertising with online advertising opportunities.
  E-mail resume and cover letter to Jenny Morehead, Local Sales Manager, at SalesInternships@wgnradio.com

How to Apply

It's best to e-mail your resume and cover letter, though we do accept applications by regular mail. Please indicate which internships you're most interested in, and send your information to the attention of the appropriate person above, care of:

WGN Internship Program
435 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Applications should be received by the following deadlines to assure full consideration. Late applications will be considered for future terms. Dates listed subject to change. Tip: Summer internships have the greatest number of applicants and, therefore, are toughest to obtain. Consider a fall, winter, or spring internship to increase your chances.

Programming, Sports, Promotions and Sales Internships:

News Internships:

Interns are selected on the basis of professional potential. We look at our internship program as a developing ground for future employees -- that's not to say all interns will get hired here, but one of our goals is to see how many responsibilities an intern can handle, on the chance an employment opportunity becomes available. So this isn't a coffee-fetching, grunt work internship. We trust our interns to handle duties that require the utmost in responsibility, diligence and enthusiasm.

Tip: when applying for an internship, specify which particular post you're interested in. Tell us not just why you'd be good for that internship, but why that particular internship would be good for you.

WGN is an equal opportunity employer. Interns are considered trainees and not employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1973.

Requirements

• Current college student (junior, senior, post-graduate) or out of school graduate of any age.
• Internship may be taken for credit or independent of school supervision.
• Must be available to work a variable 40 hour week.
• Familiarity with Radio 720 and the Chicago market is preferred.
• Previous radio or other media experience (school, internship, or professional) preferred.
• Responsibility, judgment, organization, dependability, promptness, initiative, creativity, and efficiency are key to the success of interns along with the ability to handle deadlines, writing, and audio production

Duration/Hours

• 40 hours a week, occasionally odd hour work or weekend duties.
• Interns are not paid but do receive a $75 per week travel stipend.
• Fall (@ August - November)
• Winter (@ November - February)
• Spring (@ February - May)
• Summer (@ May - August)

Results

During the internship, interns gain exposure to the realities of working in radio and gain exposure to related fields. Interns have the opportunity to prove themselves and determine if radio is a career for them. Interns make friends and contacts that they can network with as they start their career. After interns complete their term at Radio 720, some return to school and share their new experiences. Other interns volunteer or temp at the station. A few become part-time employees. Occasionally, interns obtain full-time positions at WGN. Many interns take their experiences to other media outlets where they begin rewarding careers. Former interns at Radio 720 have held these positions:

at WGN:

Elsewhere:

The history of WGN Radio

Bought by the Tribune Company in 1924, WGN was a pioneer in the beginnings of radio. Besides the first broadcasts of The Indy 500 and The Kentucky Derby, WGN was the first station to broadcast a courtroom proceeding. The Scopes evolution v. creationism case was the original "trial of the century" and Chicago heard it live on WGN. (The WGN microphone used during these proceedings is currently on loan to the Smithsonian.)

The development of police radios began here as police calls were broadcast over the air so the police could be on the scene as quickly as possible. This relationship with peace officers evolved to some of the first metropolitan traffic reporting and the launching of a WGN Trafficopter fleet.

Along with CBS, NBC, DuMont, and Blue networks, WGN competed and assisted in forming the Mutual Broadcast Network.

Pioneers in radio entertainment with live in-studio orchestras and original radio dramas (such as Little Orphan Annie), the station has never really changed format, but evolved. This included the adjustment radio had to make as television came to be (cable superstation WGN-TV Channel 9 is our sister station). Sportscasting, remotes, and use of phones on-air are still important developments in use today.

The radio home to millions across mid-America, WGN is one of the highest rated stations in Chicago. Because of our progressive and flexible full-service news and talk format, an internship here is like working at several different stations.

Besides talk, WGN flexes its format depending upon what's going on in our listeners' lives:

• Breaking story internationally or locally, and news is the emphasis.
  
• Athletes retiring, championships being won, or a big trade and Radio 720 is Chicago's Sportstation.
  
• When there's nasty weather, the WGN/Weather Channel meteorologists and Traffic Central reporters give all the details.
  
• A summer Friday and it's time to lighten up. Fun takes the lead.

On an average day we're mixing all these elements and more....

• Home of Chicago Cubs baseball along with Northwestern University football and basketball.
  
• Popular, unique professional personalities.
  
• A 50,000 watt clear channel that broadcasts to parts of 38 states Canada and Mexico at night.
  
• Winner of eight Marconi Awards (radio's Oscar).
  
• One of the top grossing radio stations in the country.
  
• Voted the Most Respected and Admired radio station in the country by the radio industry.
  
• Audio streaming world-wide via its web site http://wgnradio.com/listen.

Chicago's News and Talk
WGN Radio 720
A Tribune Broadcasting Station

WGN Radio 720 continues as a broadcasting leader in Chicago and around the world, and has been called the most respected and successful radio station in America. Our long running internship program has produced many successful professionals, not only at the station, but industry-wide thanks to the guidance of the 100+ professionals employed here.

The Radio 720 Internship Program is an intensive hands on experience where assignments are necessary and make a difference. Interns work at our studios in the architecturally classic Tribune Tower in the heart of downtown Chicago (central to public transportation).

WGN has had great success with its intern program. Interns are integral to our day to day operation and many have gone on to successful careers in media.

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