Newsroom Internships
As part of the Journalism for All initiative, YJC facilitated the first journalism pathway through the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program to build a paid, citywide newsroom internship program for high school journalists.
Supporting student journalists from classroom to newsroom
In 2026, 36 public high school student journalists stepped out of the classroom and into 11 professional newsrooms across New York City. For most, this was their first professional experience.
For six weeks, they covered local stories through interviews with community members, written articles, photojournalism, video projects, and creating social media content. The launch establishes the first journalism-focused pathway in DYCD’s Summer Youth Employment Program, connecting classroom learning with the professional news industry.
Summer 2026 by the Numbers
36
student interns
11
newsroom hosts
21
participating schools
42
stories published
65K+
dollars earned by students
Spotlight on Student Bylines
Interns in the Field
Impact
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Impact ⋆
“What I can see with my eyes is different from what I can see with the lens on my camera, and I have learned to understand that what I see and experience may not be able to be caught in a frame […]The Indypendent helped me become more creative with my photography, and understand that what I take a photo of and what I write has a chance to inspire something great.”
– Leair Davenport, student at A School Without Walls & Summer ‘26 intern at The Indypendent
“It made me understand the true meaning of journalism, which is not only just writing stories or writing about what people say or what people do—like, ‘Oh my gosh, look at what shoes she’s wearing,’ you know? It’s about covering things that matter and covering things that matter to people.”
– Ny’el Aguillera, student at Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy & Summer ‘26 intern at The Bushwick Daily
“Thank you to Kai and Ro, our awesome supervisors, who taught us so much. They taught us pitching. They taught us what makes a good story. They taught us all sorts of things about cameras and editing and pre-production and production and post-production.”
– Netta Nov, student at West End Secondary School & Summer ‘26 intern at BRIC TV
“Our supervisor Walter Sanchez has constantly asked all the interns from day one ‘What do you want to get out of your time here?’. Everyone had different answers but one thing we can agree on is that we all learned the truth behind journalism. Journalism isn’t just about breaking news or controversy, it’s about informing the community and the world about what’s happening around them. Journalism is built off the journalists who thrive to educate and inform those around them.”
– Marvin Cielo, student at Civic Leadership Academy & Summer ‘26 intern at BQE Media
“Our supervisor and editor, Peter, was the man with the plan. He made sure our stories had purpose and made sense. Peter taught me how to read a room, be confident when I speak, and feel free to ask my editor whenever I needed help. Susan taught me that if I say I’m going to do something, I have to follow through. She taught me to be kind to everyone and to be determined. They both taught me to be early, on time means you’re late.”
– Khloe JeanBart, student at Park Slope Collegiate & Summer ‘26 intern at The Broadway Banner
“This internship has taught me so much about the world around me and myself. This internship has allowed me to be curious in a safe and encouraging environment. Working at The Amsterdam News has been a huge honor due to this being the newspaper that my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents have read and love.”
– Autumn Wynn, alum of Park Slope Collegiate & Summer ‘26 intern at The Amsterdam News
“At the first week, I was very closed off, and I was very scared [that] these three weren't gonna like me. But the next thing you know, as the weeks passed by, we all practically became best friends. And it really helped me open up and get to socialize more, and it made me really happy and I want to take that out when I get back to school.”
– Dasiel DeJesus, student at United Charter High School for the Humanities & Summer ‘26 intern at The Broadway Banner
Celebrating our Interns
Check out some highlights from our internship showcase!
