The Sonia Kinkhabwala Storytelling Internship was created in partnership with Sonia’s family to honor her memory by providing internship opportunities at StoryCorps—mirroring the transformative experience she had with us.
Sonia began her journey at StoryCorps in 2021 as a Learning & Engagement intern. Following her internship, she joined the Mobile team as a Participant Relations Associate and was later promoted to Facilitator. Her deep empathy and passion for people shone through every conversation she had—so much so that participants often wished she could be there in person. In March 2022, she joined the Mobile Tour as a Facilitator, recording stories across Tulsa, OK; Springfield, MO; Missoula, MT; and Moses Lake, WA.
READ MORE: Announcing the Establishment of the Sonia Kinkhabwala Storytelling Internship
- Start Date: September 21, 2026
- End Date: December 14, 2026
- Schedule: Full-Time: 30 hours/week or Part time: up to 24 hours
- Pay: $17 per hour
As part of the Sonia Kinkhabwala Storytelling Internship, selected interns will be matched with a StoryCorps department based on their interests and the department’s capacity to host an intern during the summer. In the application, you’ll be asked to indicate your top three department preferences. To help guide your decision, we encourage you to explore our StoryCorps Department One-Pagers to learn more about each team and their work.
While each intern’s day-to-day experience will vary depending on the department placement, all interns will engage in hands-on work that honors Sonia’s legacy—centering storytelling, public history, and connection. Interns will also receive mentorship, participate in professional development opportunities, and leave the program with tangible experience and portfolio-worthy projects that reflect their time at StoryCorps.
Eligibility CriteriaApplicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a current undergraduate student or recent graduate
- Be pursuing or planning to pursue a career in storytelling, journalism, humanities, or a related field
To apply, students must complete an online application form and submit a personal essay.
Essay Requirements (Minimum 500 words):
Complete an essay to answer the following: "How does a storytelling internship at StoryCorps align with your career goals, and what unique experiences or skill sets will you bring to this position?"
Additional Instructions:
- Please copy and paste your essay into the "Cover Letter" Box.
Skills Required
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a current undergraduate student or recent graduate
- Be pursuing or planning to pursue a career in storytelling, journalism, humanities, or a related field
- Submit an online application with a personal essay of at least 500 words (paste into Cover Letter box)
What We Do
StoryCorps provides people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of lives. The company does this to remind one another of our shared humanity, to strengthen and build the connections between people, to teach the value of listening, and to weave into the fabric of culture the understanding that everyone's story matters. At the same time, StoryCorps is creating an invaluable archive for future generations. Each week, millions of Americans listen to StoryCorps╩╝ broadcasts on NPR╩╝s Morning Edition. StoryCorps has published three New York Times bestsellers: Listening Is an Act of Love, Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps, and All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps.
