Digital Media: Local History

Position Overview

Brief Description
Preferred Year in School: Rising Junior, Rising Senior, Graduate Student
Position Overview: Brainstorm and pitch article/content ideas for the Boundary Stones website (https://boundarystones.weta.org/)
Conduct historical research using primary and secondary sources
Write articles for the Boundary Stones website
Locate historical photos and videos and determine permissions for use
Create social media friendly Boundary Stones content such as quizzes and trivia
Contribute to Boundary Stones social media accounts and participate in larger conversations about local history
Update the Boundary Stones promotional calendar
Participate in meetings with the larger Digital Media team

Education

Preferred Major: History, English, Museum Studies or Journalism

Learning Objectives

• Expand knowledge of Washington, D.C. area history including racial and class dynamics, notable events, neighborhood development, influential figures, etc.
• Grow critical thinking skills through thoughtful interrogation of historical sources
• Sharpen writing skills, specifically non-academic, narrative-style prose suitable for a general audience
• Develop a greater understanding of social media voice and techniques by contributing to Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, etc.
• Become familiar with the world of public media

Desired Competencies

• Excellent writing and research skills
• Careful attention to detail
• Interest in local history and community

Company Overview

WETA, the flagship public media station in the nation’s capital, produces and distributes content that informs, inspires, and enriches lives. As the second-largest producing station for the public media system, WETA creates programming to explore history, arts, and culture, partnering with acclaimed filmmakers such as Ken Burns and Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. National WETA productions include The American Revolution and Finding Your Roots, among many others. WETA is also home to PBS News, the primary daily, breaking, and special news producer for PBS. Its broadcast productions include PBS News Hour, Washington Week with The Atlantic, Horizons from PBS News, and Compass Points from PBS News, as well as specials, documentaries, and a robust footprint across digital platforms. Locally, WETA serves audiences across Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, through television, radio, and digital platforms. Audiences access WETA on broadcast channels WETA PBS, WETA UK, WETA Metro, WETA World, and WETA PBS Kids, and digitally through the free streaming platform WETA+

Benefits

WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships.