Editorial Intern

About the role

The editorial intern at National Journal will own the production and maintenance of one of the organization's flagship editorial products, working directly with the managing editor to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of political intelligence. This role requires a proactive approach to monitoring, synthesizing, and summarizing the latest developments in campaigns and on Capitol Hill for influential tipsheets. The intern will be responsible for supporting the editorial workflow from initial reporting through final distribution, maintaining the high standards that define the National Journal brand. You will engage with a fast-paced environment where judgment, discretion, and attention to detail are paramount. The position offers direct exposure to the inner workings of Washington's most trusted political news operation. You will contribute to the core mission of delivering concise, reliable, and actionable information to government and business leaders. Ultimately, your work will help ensure that subscribers receive the intelligence necessary to navigate the complex political landscape efficiently.

Key facts

What you'll do

Conduct real-time monitoring of legislative activity, campaign movements, and political developments to identify relevant story angles for editorial products.

Perform rapid aggregation and distillation of complex policy announcements and political events into clear, concise summaries for internal and external audiences.

Support the editorial team by fact-checking details, verifying sources, and ensuring the accuracy of information before publication.

Assist in the organization and maintenance of source materials, contact lists, and reference documents used in the daily editorial process.

Draft initial content for newsletters and digital briefings under the guidance of senior editors, focusing on clarity, brevity, and adherence to style standards.

Coordinate with other departments to gather background information and context that enriches the editorial narrative.

Utilize content management systems and editorial tools to format, schedule, and track the status of stories as they move through production.

Flag emerging trends and potential disruptions in the political landscape that may require immediate attention or adaptation of coverage strategies.

Collaborate with reporters and analysts to incorporate new information and updates into ongoing editorial projects seamlessly.

Communicate proactively with team members to ensure alignment on priorities, deadlines, and the overall quality of the output.

Requirements

Eligibility for this internship requires enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.

You must possess strong written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to write clearly and accurately under tight deadlines.

A foundational understanding of U.S. government structure, including the legislative and executive branches, is essential for this role.

You must be able to demonstrate familiarity with political terminology and the dynamics of federal policymaking.

Reliability and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive political information are non-negotiable expectations.

The ideal candidate exhibits intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn about the constantly evolving political environment.

Strong organizational skills are required to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities in a deadline-driven setting.

Attention to detail is critical, as the role involves working with information that impacts high-level decision-making in Washington.

Nice to have

Previous experience with subscription-based or premium content models is advantageous for understanding the audience.

Familiarity with common political polling data and data visualization tools enhances your capacity to support editorial projects.

Experience in a newsroom or fast-paced media environment provides a practical understanding of editorial standards.

Basic technical proficiency with content management systems and common office productivity software is preferred.

Practical notes

Interns are scheduled to work up to 20 hours per week.

This is a Washington DC-based internship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for this position.

The application review will continue until the position is filled, so early application is encouraged.