Data, Graphics & Design Internship – Summer 2027

The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 159-year legacy. With eight Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other accolades, we stand as a beacon of journalistic excellence in Minnesota. We are the heart and voice of the North.

Our mission is to build a better Minnesota by connecting us with the people, ideas, and stories that strengthen our communities. We’re seeking dynamic leaders who are passionate about journalism and democracy to help shape this future. If you are excited about reinventing one of our state’s most trusted institutions and leading us into a new era of growth and excellence, we want to hear from you.

We offer 10-week summer reporting internships at our headquarters in Minneapolis, MN. We select talented, driven college seniors and graduate students. We expect our interns to come to us with skill and leave with polish and invaluable experience from a major-market newsroom. Interns are paid $850 a week. Interns may be able to apply for any available apprentice positions at the completion of their internship.

During this 10-week internship, you will work with journalists across the newsroom to report, analyze and present stories in ways that make complex information understandable and engaging for our audiences.

Assignments may range from quick-turnaround graphics tied to breaking news to more ambitious projects developed over several weeks.

This is an internship, and we do not expect applicants to arrive with advanced expertise in data analysis, graphics and web development. Strong candidates will have some experience in one or more of these areas, a basic foundation in the others, and an interest in developing all three. We are particularly interested in journalists who like solving problems, experimenting with new approaches and thinking about both the journalism and the best way to present it to readers.

Qualifications

Strong candidates will have a journalism background or a demonstrated interest in journalism, along with some combination of the following skills and experience:

• Solid news judgment and curiosity about local and regional issues.
• Some experience using data to answer questions or tell stories.
• Working knowledge of at least one data analysis tool, such as spreadsheets, R or Python.
• Familiarity with, or interest in learning, additional data tools such as SQL or OpenRefine.
• Some experience creating data visualizations using tools such as Datawrapper, Flourish, Adobe Illustrator, QGIS, or similar software.
• Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS, or experience building simple pages or digital projects.
• Some familiarity with JavaScript is useful but not required.
• An interest in user experience, accessibility and designing for both mobile and desktop audiences.

Students do not need to be equally experienced in data analysis, visualization and digital design. We encourage candidates who have stronger skills in one or two areas but can demonstrate an interest in developing the others.

Star Tribune is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and it encourages qualified applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Candidates should recognize that legacy news operations must merge diversity-and-inclusion aspirations with audience needs to succeed and support that goal.

We expect our interns to:

• have a valid driver’s license
• conduct themselves in a professional manner
• work regularly from the Star Tribune office

How to apply:

The term of the internship will be early June to early August.

Your application, which must be uploaded by Nov. 13, should include:

• A memo noting one thing you would change about the Star Tribune to better serve our readers, and how your skills could facilitate such an improvement.
• A resume detailing your journalism experience, and three references, including their titles, phone numbers and email addresses.
• Two letters of recommendation. At least one of those letters should come from an editor who’s seen you work in a professional environment on deadline. Please do not submit letters of reference from fellow student journalists.
• Reference letters can be attached to your application or emailed to newsrecruiter@startribune.com with your name in the subject line.
• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TM, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Questions? Email Maria Reeve, Executive Director, Culture and Careers, maria.reeve@startribune.com.

Please do not email your application.

Hourly Compensation:

This internship is paid at $21.25/hour

More about The Minnesota Star Tribune

At The Minnesota Star Tribune, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to their happiness, growth, and well-being. Here’s a snapshot of the exceptional benefits we offer:

• Modern Downtown Office: Enjoy a state-of-the-art workspace with a free fitness center, collaborative center, golf simulator, and a rooftop patio.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes commuting subsidy, medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Wellness & Work-Life Balance: Participate in our wellness program with financial incentives, generous paid time off, flexible holidays, one volunteer day, and two wellness days.
• Financial & Family Support: Benefit from a 401(k) with company match, paid parental and caregiving leave, hybrid work arrangements, and tuition reimbursement.
• Additional Perks: Access to an employee assistance program, pet insurance, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.

2025 award winner of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Media and News and proud recipient of Newsweek’s Greatest Midsize Workplaces 2025 recognition.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Even if you don't meet every single requirement for this role, we encourage you to apply. At The Minnesota Star Tribune, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.