Inside OPB
Internships at OPB: Opportunities
- Production: Local/National Television
- This internship involves the production of long-form television documentaries. Duties may include extensive library research, phone interviews, making set-up calls, dubbing, logging and transcribing tapes, keeping a file of written releases from interviewees, gathering taped releases and transferring them to a master tape, researching film rights, shipping tapes, and sitting in on editing and post production. Strong writing, interviewing, research and word processing skills are necessary. Basic knowledge of TV production techniques helpful.
- Production: Project Development, National Television Productions
- This internship involves the creation, research, development, and writing of proposals for documentary one-offs and series, Web sites, and educational productions. Duties may include Internet and library research, phone interviews, brainstorming with project team, writing first drafts of proposals, reviewing the work of documentary filmmakers, and administrative tasks. This group does not engage in video production activities.
- Production: Oregon Art Beat and Oregon Field Guide
- Assist in the production of local programs on the arts and outdoors. Qualified interns may have the opportunity to produce, or assist in producing, a program segment. Intern must possess strong organizational and writing skills. Duties may include transcribing interviews; providing written description of video; dubbing tapes; writing promos; updating data bases, promotional materials and website; and working in the field on a limited basis (may require carrying equipment). Interns will have opportunities to observe story editing and posting.
- News
- This internship involves assisting with reporting and production of OPB's daily news product. Duties include performing background research, assisting radio or online reporters in the field, conducting interviews, using digital audio editing equipment, and writing stories for broadcast or online use. Extensive course work in broadcast journalism is necessary. A typical weekly time commitment is 12 hours.
- Radio: Think Out Loud
- This internship involves assisting with the daily production of OPB Radio's daily current affairs talk show, Think Out Loud. Duties include greeting guests, helping with last minute prep for the show, screening calls, managing the contact database, preparing background research, pre-interviewing potential guests, writing blog posts, doing show outreach, pitching show ideas and, potentially, producing entire programs. Experience in broadcast journalism, or a related field, is necessary. A typical weekly time commitment is 16 to 24 hours.
- Television Programming
- This internship will involve various aspects of public television programming including audience research, program auditioning, preparing and sending program information to PBS stations, researching and responding to station and individual program inquiries. The individual may have the opportunity to participate in program marketing and distribution activities. Basic mass communications preparation with good verbal and written skills required. Knowledge of TV production and promotion helpful. Computer literacy a must.
- Educational Media
- This internship provides opportunities to create web-based content for teachers. These projects involve opportunities for video editing, design, and other production skills. Strong written and oral communication skills; familiarity with personal computers, desktop publishing programs (Word, Photoshop) are necessary. Knowledge of web design and web research a plus. Ability to juggle several projects at one time, work independently and lots of energy and enthusiasm are helpful!
- Fund Raising: Corporate Support
- This internship will involve assisting in efforts to secure support of the local broadcast of radio and television programs. Tasks and learning experiences will include: researching and collecting prospect information, preparing material and statistical information for client presentation; preparing and updating a listing of programs available for sponsorship.
- Volunteer Management
- This internship is in the Volunteer Resources area of the Human Resources and Administration department. Volunteer Resources is responsible for overseeing the involvement of all unpaid staff (about 2,000 volunteers, interns and work experience students). As a result, an internship would be specifically developed based on an accepted student's skills, background and interests. An internship would involve at least one of the following:
- Research (particularly in civic engagement and other issues related to engaging the community in an organization)
- Training and development
- Program development, management, and/or evaluation
- Graphics
- Work with an energetic creative team to conceive, design, and create graphics to support radio programs, TV programs, web and other institutional needs. The intern should have a strong knowledge of design and production processes, typography, and proficiency with MAC software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
- On-Air Design/ Marketing
- Do you love television and visual media? Would you like to help develop the look and feel of OPB TV? This internship involves working with a team to develop on-air elements to support OPB's branding and marketing efforts. This internship may also include work on other projects based on specific program needs and the skills of the intern applicant. Knowledge of market demographics and a strong aesthetic sense are essential! Basic knowledge of mass communications and good verbal and written skills required. Knowledge of TV production and promotion helpful. Computer literacy a must. Ability to juggle several projects at one time, work independently and lots of energy and enthusiasm are helpful!
- Fund Raising: Donor and Business Development
- Work with major gifts department to research current and potential donors' giving capacity. Assist in the development, implementation and operation of cultivation and stewardship programs. Research prospects for Business Partners, Capital Campaign, Gift Planning, and Major and Mid-Level Giving programs. Learn about all aspects of managing a development program from direct mail solicitation to donor recognition. Assist with production of cultivation special events as needed. Intern must be computer literate, familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel and Access, and a quick learner.
- OPB.org Web Site
- This internship involves assisting with OPB's web site: www.opb.org. Primary duties include supporting site producers and news reporters in creating content for the site, including performing background research, assisting reporters in the field, formatting text and graphics for the web and updating pages on the site. Skills required include strong oral and written communication, knowledge of Mac OS and familiarity with graphic applications such as Photoshop.
- Music Program
- This internship involves assisting with production of our local music stream. Duties may include assisting music hosts with in-studio performances and interviews, using digital recording and editing equipment, acquiring and organizing music/cds, research, and auditioning music for airplay. Prior volunteer or student experience with music and radio required. Experience with digital editing and/or digital music storage is preferred.

