NBC News Bureau Internships – Academic Year at NBCUniversal · Chicago

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Looking to ace your upcoming academic year? As an NBCUniversal Academic Year intern, you’ll work on real projects, be part of our collaborative culture, and get the support you need to grow - across two full semesters. Our Internship Program is all about impact, giving you the chance to contribute to meaningful work while building skills that matter. If you’re curious, driven, and excited about media, entertainment, and technology, we provide an environment designed to help you learn and grow every day.

In addition to all of our internships being paid, we will also offer the following for our Academic Year interns:   

• Paid time off for mental health, academic exams, and personal holidays. 
• Robust networking, learning and professional development opportunities.
• Complimentary Peacock subscription for the duration of the internship.
• Free admission to Universal Parks to use during your internship.
• Access to mental health resources, including counseling sessions.

Academic Year Internship Program Details

Program Dates: September 21, 2026 – April 23, 2027

Time Commitment: 16-24 hours per week. Exact schedule to be determined based on business need.  We will do our best to accommodate course schedules.

Format: Opportunities listed will require an intern to work from Chicago, IL.

Academic Year Recruitment Timeline

April 20: Applications open

May 8: Applications close at 11:59pm ET (we recommend you submit your application as soon as possible – applications may close earlier due to applicant volume!)

Early May – Mid June: First round video interviews   

Mid June – Mid July: Second round interviews  

Throughout July: Selected candidates receive offers

To Apply:

• Submit a one-page resume that outlines your work experience, accomplishments, and your graduation month and year.
• Submit a cover letter that highlights your passion for NBCUniversal and your top areas of interest (opportunities listed below).
• Upload a transcript (unofficial transcripts are fine) that confirms your status as an actively enrolled student in a degree-granting program.

More Americans watch NBC News than any news organization in the world. NBC News’ leading and award-winning television news broadcasts include TODAY, NBC Nightly News, Meet the Press, and Dateline NBC. The rapidly-growing NBC News Digital Group – including its streaming news services NBC News NOW and TODAY All Day – and the network’s award-winning original podcast and audio unit provide continuous content to consumers wherever they are, whenever they want it.

Join the team supporting coverage of the Midwest region for NBC’s flagship broadcast network shows, TODAY and NIGHTLY NEWS, along with our expanding cable and online platforms, MSNBC and NBC News Now. Our intern will have the opportunity to work on all types of stories, from breaking news to features, with topics ranging from crime to the economy to weather. The intern will collaborate with our assignment desk, producers and correspondents and gain an understanding of the inner workings of network news – from pitching stories to seeing the final product on air.

Responsibilities

• Providing editorial support to the NBC news assignment desk- making phone calls, booking interviews, logging press conferences. 
• Assisting producers with location support, including booking travel and scouting live shot positions.     
• Pitching, researching, and developing stories for various platforms.

Basic Requirements:

• Must be actively enrolled in a degree-granting program at an accredited institution during the entire duration of the program (September 2026 through April 2027). December 2026 graduates are not eligible for this Academic Year Internship Program. 
• Current class standing of sophomore or above (30 credits).
• Must be presently authorized to work for any employer in the United States and must not require work visa sponsorship from NBCUniversal now or in the future to retain authorization to work in the United States.
• Must be available to work 16-24 hours per week from September 21, 2026 – April 23, 2027.
• Must be willing to work in Chicago, IL.

For further clarification, candidates currently on any student or exchange visa (e.g. F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, J-1, M-1) are not eligible to apply unless they will be able to change or adjust to another status that grants work authorization without NBCUniversal sponsorship.

NBCUniversal is an E-Verify company, requiring all employees to have an active Social Security number. Any candidate receiving an internship offer must complete I-9 form with Social Security number within 3 days of hire.  

Desired Characteristics:

• Students with class standing of junior or above preferred.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Strong interest in the media industry.     
• Commitment to building an inclusive work environment.     
• Previous internship experience and on-campus involvement.     
• Strong interest in and demonstrated knowledge of current affairs.
• Desired majors: Journalism or Broadcast Journalism, Digital/New Media Studies, Communications, Production.

The hourly rate for student interns is $19.00.

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.