Editorial Intern

National Journal
Washington DC, US
HybridCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Aimed at entry-level journalism enthusiasts with a strong grasp of American politics who can thrive in a hybrid, in-office work arrangement.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a strong foundation in political journalism and a desire to contribute to nonpartisan reporting
    — “commitment to independent, nonpartisan reporting and writing”
  • Aspirants who align with National Journal’s intellectual rigor and values of critical yet charitable analysis
    — “giving voice to the latter”

Things to consider

  • Must be available for in-office work four days a week in Washington, DC
    — “employees required to be in the office every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday”
  • The role is part-time, with 20 hours per week expected
    — “Interns will work 20 hours a week”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your ability to write quickly and accurately under pressure
    — “Quick and accurate writing skills”
  • Showcase your knowledge of American politics and eagerness to learn more
    — “Working knowledge of American politics and a hunger to learn more”
  • Highlight your experience with news curation and data management tools
    — “Searching and curating the morning’s political news via Google, Lexis/Nexis, social media, and dozens of newspapers and other sources”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • curate political news
  • contribute to reporting
  • write short pieces of news and analysis
  • help update databases
Typical background
passion for journalismknowledge of American politicswriting skills

Skills & requirements

Required

News CurationWritingData AnalysisCollaborationAttention To Detail

Preferred

Political AnalysisCampaign ReportingDatabase ManagementData Projects

Stack & domain

Political News CurationReporting On PolicyPoliticsCampaignsWriting Short PiecesNews And AnalysisDatabase UpdatingCollaborating With StaffLarger Data ProjectsPoll TrackingFEC Donor ReportsPassion For JournalismCommitment To Independent ReportingKnowledge Of American PoliticsAttention To DetailAbility To MultitaskWork EthicQuick WritingResourcefulnessProblem-solvingGenerosityPolitical NewsPolicy ReportingCollaborationData Projects

About the role

Original posting from National Journal via Lever

National Journal is hiring an editorial intern.

National Journal has an immediate opening for an intern on the editorial team, one of its flagship editorial products. For more than 30 years, Hotline Wake-Up Call!, Hotline Latest Edition, and National Journal Daily have been the key political tipsheets for officeholders, campaign professionals, pollsters, political parties, and political scholars. This individual will report to National Journal’s managing editor. Interns will work 20 hours a week.  

National Journal is a premier research and insights company committed to helping organizations effectively navigate Washington. Best known as one of Washington’s most trusted media brands for nearly 50 years, our expertise is unmatched with teams of specialists dedicated to government affairs, communications, and political research, in addition to exceptional journalism. Our mission is to equip the thousands of government and business leaders in the nation’s capital with the intelligence, insights, and connections they need to save time, increase efficiency, and deliver success.

What is National Journal’s Editorial? 

National Journal’s Hotline and Daily is the premier campaign resource for more than 30 years. Read by the most powerful and informed figures in Washington, our daily newsletters cover the latest news from Capitol Hill and campaigns all along the ballot from across the country. 

Your responsibilities will include::

-

Searching and curating the morning’s political news via Google, Lexis/Nexis, social media, and dozens of newspapers and other sources

-

Contributing to reporting on policy, politics, and campaigns

-

Writing short pieces of news and analysis

-

Helping to update our databases

-

Collaborating with staff correspondents and editors on larger feature stories

-

Assisting on larger data projects like our Poll Tracker and quarterly FEC donor reports

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate::

-

A passion for journalism and a commitment to independent, nonpartisan reporting and writing

-

Working knowledge of American politics and a hunger to learn more

-

Thorough attention to detail and ability to file on tight deadlines

-

The ability to multitask with little to no supervision

-

A strong work ethic and motivation to succeed

-

Quick and accurate writing skills

-

Creative thinking and resourcefulness in problem-solving

-

Prodigious work ethic and spirit of generosity

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026

Required Application Materials: Cover letter, resume, and writing sample.

Employment Type: Internship (Part-time)

Term: January -May 2027 

Compensation: The intern will be paid $20/hour 

Location: This job is based in Washington, DC. National Journal operates on a hybrid schedule, with employees required to be in the office every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. 

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About Us

Across National Journal Group, generally, the firm looks for two “pillar gifts” in you, and everyone else.  In all of us, these are more aspirational than actual, but they are central in our intentions –

Force of Ideas:  At the center of National Journal Group work are the ideas within our writing.  We believe that ideas – to the good and not – have consequences.  Our highest work is bringing rigor, insight, intellectual honesty, to that ultimate purpose of separating the bad from the good, and giving voice to the latter.

Spirit of Generosity:  National Journal Group seeks in its ranks a spirit of generosity – a natural disposition in each colleague toward service and selfless conduct.  National Journal Group writing should be cut from the same cloth –critical on the merits but informed by charity and forbearance in measuring motive and personal character.

National Journal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Source: National Journal careers (Lever)

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