Entry Level Audio Journalism Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Internship -WMMT Audio Production Intern

Division: Internship

Department: Career, Vocation, and Leadership

Experience: Entry-level

Job Code: NA

Supervisor/Reports To: Jarrod Hamilton (Appalshop)/Angela Lockhart (UPIKE)

Location: WMMT | 253A East Main St. | Whitesburg, KY

Internship Window: 7/1/26 - 8/15/26

Must be a registered UPIKE student

This short-term internship offers a chance for interns to develop their skills in journalism, audio production, and communications. Day to day, this person will be creating PSAs, show promos, underwriting, and other messages that will air on WMMT (Appalshop's . This intern will also be involved in working with our Emergency Preparedness Cohort and associated staff to write scripts, record, and disseminate information into short clips to sun as PSAs. With only a short amount of time available, intern would be required to produce at least one high quality audio documentary that will air on our public affairs program, Mountain Talk. We want to offer a chance to learn storytelling skills from our experienced staff. All interns will have the option to participate as a DJ.

Organization Description: Founded in 1985, WMMT's mission is to be a 24-hour voice of mountain people's music, culture, and social issues to provide broadcast space for creative expression and community involvement in making radio, and to be an active participant in discussion of public policy that will benefit coalfield communities and the Appalachian region as a whole. The station is listener-supported, consumer-run public radio. WMMT broadcasts from their studio at 253 E. Main Street in Whitesburg, KY. They are heard across much of Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, and Southern West Virginia, as well as portions of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. WMMT's mission extends beyond music into coverage of issues facing mountain communities. WMMT produces regular radio documentary features, telling stories and providing perspectives that no other outlet can.

Internship Duties, Responsibilities, and Career Competencies:

Public Service Announcements, Underwriting, and Promos:

• Collaborating with staff to write scripts for messages. (CSD, C, L, P, T)
• Recording messages with DJ, staff and community voices. (CSD, C, CTR, P, TW, T)
• Editing messages. (CSD, C, CT)
• Delivering polished productions for air. (CSD, C, P)

Audio Documentary Production:

• Research topic. (CSD, P)
• Find affected people to be interviewed. (C, CT, CTR, P)
• Find experts and advocates for the topic. (C, CT, CTR, P, TW)
• Writing interview questions. (CSD, C, CT, L, P)
• Performing interviews with various affected individuals and experts. (CSD, C, CTR, L, P)
• Writing a script for the audio documentary. (C, CT, P, T)
• Recording their own voice for narration. (CSD, C, P, T)
• Deliver a high-quality Audio Documentary by the completion of internship. (CSD, C, P, T)

DJ:

• Select music to be played on air. (CSD, C, CTR, P, T)
• Screen music before their show for obscenities. (CT, L, P, T)
• Play whatever music they like and have a little fun on the air. (C, CTR, P, TW, T)
• Be responsible and understand FCC Regulations. (L, P)

Competencies/Skills: Communication (C), Teamwork (TW), Professionalism (P), Career & Self Development (CSD), Critical Thinking (CT), Community Transformation (CTR), Leadership (L), Technology (T)

Qualifications:

• A current UPIKE student with interest/major/minor in Communications, Film & Media Arts, English, Marketing, or relevant field.

Skills Developed:

• Audio story telling
• Audio production
• Public speaking
• Interviewing

Work Schedule: M-F daytime, determined with communication between supervisor and intern.

Physical Demands:

• General Activity: Sitting, standing, walking, leaning.
• Use of Hands/Feet: Primarily using hands for typing or handling materials.
• Weight Lifted: Lifting equipment as needed.
• Physical Demands: Sitting for long periods, walking, listening, viewing, talking for long periods, projecting voice.

Essential Skills and Professional Expectations:

• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Able to meet deadlines.
  
• Comfortable working both independently and in a team environment.
• Must be able to manage stress, stay focused, and maintain professionalism in various situations.

Number of Positions: 1

Pay Rate: Beginning at $8.75/hour

Location: WMMT | 253A East Main St. | Whitesburg, KY

Terms: Upon hire, the intern must register for the Summer II Internship course. To receive course credit, students will complete assignments concurrently with internship work. Students are required to work a total minimum of 80 hours and will eligible for the following credit hours: 80-119 hours of work + course completion = 2 credit hours; 120-159 hours of work + course completion = 3 credit hours; 160-199 hours of work + course completion = 4 credit hours; 200-239 hours of work + course completion = 5 credit hours; 240+ hours of work = 6 credit hours. Summer interns in this position cannot exceed 40 hours of work per week.

Application Notes: Resumes and applications will be reviewed to determine if you meet the required qualifications for the position. If it is determined that you meet the required qualifications, your application materials will be used to identify a top group of the most highly qualified candidates. The University of Pikeville is an equal opportunity employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. The University of Pikeville does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disabilities in its programs, activities, hiring, or the admission of students.