Resilience Reporter Intern

Desert Research Institute’s Native Resilience project seeks two college, graduate, or recently graduated students for a 10-week summer internship in multimedia storytelling. Interns will report on what “resilience” looks like for Indigenous peoples in their regions under changing environmental conditions, telling stories that build connections between traditional knowledge, Indigenous practices, and Western scientific data. This internship combines structured learning with hands-on experience and mentorship, allowing interns to gain practical skills and exposure in various aspects of journalism and communication. Interns will meet twice-per-week via Microsoft Teams for learning sessions, feedback, mentorship, and opportunities to connect with other professionals in related fields. Outside of these meetings, interns will work independently on story assignments.

The Resilience Reporter Summer Internship Program aims to build awareness nationally about resilience initiatives on Native American lands, and build communication, journalism, and multimedia storytelling skills useful to interns as they move forward in their careers. Interns will practice telling stories using photography, audio, video, writing, artwork, poetry, and/or other creative medium of their choice. The internship will leave students with one or more samples of published work for their professional portfolios. This is a remote position; Interns may be located anywhere in the U.S.

Required Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Indigenous cultures, traditional practices, and climate change impacts in their community and region.

• A strong interest in communications, journalism, agriculture, or STEM.

• Access to a computer with an internet connection.

• Access to a smartphone capable of collecting photos and voice recordings.

• Creativity, strong writing skills, and an interest in storytelling.

• Must work well independently.

• Good organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines in a remote work setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled or recently graduated students pursuing a degree in communications, journalism, agriculture, or a related STEM field.

• Previous experience in journalism or communications.

• Access to transportation and ability to travel short distances (up to 50 miles) for in-person reporting assignments.

You can learn more about the Native Resilience project by visiting this link:  https://native-climate.com

Compensation Grade:

$17.75 per hour, no benefits.

Schedule:

This 10-week summer internship program will run from early June to mid-August 2025, exact dates to be determined depending on intern availability. Intern must be available twice per week for regularly scheduled virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams (likely held on Mondays and Thursdays at 10am PT). Outside of these meetings, interns will work independently on story assignments. Interns should plan to work 20 hours per week.

Please contact jobs@dri.edu if assistance is needed with DRI’s Workday application system.

1. Current resume.

2. Cover letter detailing why you are interested in this opportunity and how your background and experience prepare you for this job.

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received, or a hiring decision has been made. For questions regarding this position, please call the recruiting office at 775-673-7431.