GRAY MEDIA TRAINING PROGRAM FALL '26 - WEAU

About Gray Media:

Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first- and/or second-highest-rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 such markets measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group, with 46 markets, and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies and the most advanced digital products and services. Our additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

About WEAU:

WEAU News is the dominant local news organization serving western Wisconsin. Every day, we earn and maintain our audience's trust through accurate, transparent, and unbiased journalism. We deliver essential local news wherever our audience consumes it, whether it’s our website, mobile apps, streaming platforms, social media, or television newscasts.

The Training Program:     

WEAU News is looking for aspiring journalists who are ready to move beyond the classroom and experience the realities of a fast-paced, digital-first newsroom. This isn't an internship where you'll watch from the sidelines. You'll produce real journalism that reaches thousands of people every day while working alongside experienced journalists who will coach, challenge, and support your growth.

General Responsibilities:

Are you tired of just watching from the sidelines? Ready to stop "shadowing" and start actually doing the work that reaches thousands of people every single day? We’re looking for the next generation of media powerhouses, producers, reporters, weather experts, and sales executives who are hungry to dive head-first into the fast-paced world of local media. This isn't your typical "get the coffee" internship. The Gray Media Training Program is a high-octane, 10-week immersive experience where you don’t just learn the job; you own it. Whether you’re crafting the lead story for the evening news, tracking a cold front on our weather tech, or closing a digital ad deal, you’ll be a vital part of our award-winning team from day one. The intern rate of pay can range from your state's minimum wage to $15.00/hr.

• Duties and Responsibilities (including, but not limited to:)
  • Critical Thinking: Approaches situations with curiosity, asks thoughtful questions, adapts quickly when circumstances change, and knows how to find reliable answers rather than assuming they already have them.
  • Multiplatform Storytelling: Writes and adapts stories for multiple audiences, including search-optimized web articles, conversational broadcast scripts, and engaging social media posts.
  • Mobile-First Video: Shoots, edits, and publishes compelling vertical video using smartphones for streaming, digital, and social platforms.
  • Real-Time News Judgment: Monitors digital trends, audience metrics, and community conversations to identify stories that matter to local audiences and confidently pitches new ideas.
  • Verification & Research: Uses public records, government databases, social media, and digital tools to verify information, identify primary sources, and strengthen reporting.
  • Ownership & Accountability: Takes responsibility for successes and mistakes, actively seeks feedback, meets deadlines, and continually looks for ways to improve.
  • Professionalism: Works collaboratively, communicates effectively, represents WEAU professionally in the community, and contributes positively to a high-performing newsroom culture.

What You’ll Do:

• Own the role: Step into the shoes of a producer, MMJ, meteorologist, or media sales executive and handle real-world assignments (yes, the kind that may go on air and online).
• Drive digital engagement: Create content that lives beyond the TV screen- think social media, streaming apps, and web stories because we’re digital-first, always.
• Collaborate with pros: Work side-by-side with seasoned veterans who are the best in the business, gaining insights you won’t find in any textbook. 
• Commit to the craft: Dedicate 25 hours per week for 10 weeks to mastering your specialty and building a professional-grade portfolio.
• Make an impact: Tell stories that matter to the community or help local businesses grow through innovative media strategies.
• Build your future: Position yourself at the front of the line for full-time career opportunities within Gray Media’s network of 117 stations.

What You Bring:

• Current enrollment: You’re a college student (Junior or Senior status preferred) chasing a degree in Journalism, Communications, Sales, Marketing, or a related field.
• A "doer" mindset: You aren't afraid to get your hands dirty and take initiative; you’re here to work, not just watch.
• Digital savvy: You understand that media happens everywhere, from the big screen to the palm of someone’s hand. 
• Strong work ethic: You bring urgency, organization, and a "can-do" attitude to every shift. 
• Communication skills: You can tell a story, pitch an idea, or explain a forecast with clarity and confidence.
• Reliability: You’re ready to commit to the full 10-week program and the 25-hour weekly schedule. 
• Passion for local: You care about the community and want to see how local media makes a real difference.

Why You’ll Love It Here:

• Real-world experience: You’ll graduate with more than just a line on your resume; you’ll have the experience of having done the job.
• Unprecedented access: With 117 stations across the U.S., you’re part of a massive, innovative network that’s leading the future of media.
• Career fast-track: We love hiring our own. This program is designed to be the ultimate audition for your first full-time role with Gray.
• Paid training: Earn while you learn. This is a paid internship.
• A culture of innovation: We’re evolving on purpose, and you’ll be right there on the front lines of that evolution.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an accredited college or university with the intent of pursuing a career in journalism or a related field.
• Strong writing, communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated curiosity about news, current events, and the communities we serve.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work flexible hours when breaking news or special coverage requires it.
• Experience with photography, video editing, social media, or digital content creation is a plus, but a willingness to learn is essential.

WEAU serves Eau Claire, La Crosse, and communities across western Wisconsin. Our goal is to be Wisconsin's premier multi-platform local news organization, leading with digital storytelling, streaming, mobile, and broadcast journalism. The most valuable quality we look for is ownership. When news breaks, our team takes responsibility for getting the story first, getting it right, and delivering it wherever our audience expects to find it. We value curiosity, initiative, accountability, and sound news judgment every bit as much as technical skills.

If you're willing to work hard, ask questions, embrace feedback, and push yourself every day, you'll leave WEAU with a professional portfolio, real newsroom experience, and the confidence to begin your journalism career.

Ready to stop practicing and start performing? Let’s build the future of media together.

If you are interested in interning in these areas, the station may have openings in these departments for you:

• News/MMJ
• News Production
• Sports
• Weather
• Engineering
• Creative Services
• Marketing

We look forward to hearing from you!

The intern rate of pay can range from your state's minimum wage to $15.00/hr.

▪️ Interested in the program?  Go to https://gray.tv/careers#currentopenings, type "Intern WWSB" (in the search bar)

WWSB-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company

Additional Info:

Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment at every location where the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with Gray’s employees' ability to perform their job duties may result in discipline, up to and including discharge.