About TV to Africa Internship Program

In the competitive and changing television industry, nothing is more valuable for job-seekers than having "real world" experience. That's what the VOA TV to Africa internship program provides!

Since its inception three years ago, more than thirty students have taken advantage of what we have to offer. Each semester, our interns work with experienced television producers and technicians to get hands-on experience in television production. In addition to helping to get our weekly studio programs on-the-air, interns are able to produce a final project for their portfolios. Projects include writing and producing promos, stories, and even full-length documentary or magazine shows.

Work Environment, Schedule, and Payment

Depending on the semester and class schedule, students can work up to 35 hours each week. The more weekly hours, the greater the possibilities!

Interns are given access to a desk, computer, and other necessary tools for the job. Projects are assigned based on need and the student's interest. Work includes running teleprompter and telephone screening for live call-in shows; tape logging; topic research; guest recruiting; and other duties.

Internships are unpaid, and students are responsible for making their own living arrangements while in Washington.

Selection Process

Potential interns are interviewed by the VOA TV to Africa Manager, and selected based on experience in television production and/or African affairs. Interested applicants should apply early in the semester prior to the term in which they wish to intern.

About VOA's Africa Division

The VOA Africa Division provides comprehensive radio news broadcasting in ten languages to the continent. English, French, Swahili, Hausa, Portuguese, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Amharic, Tigrinia, and Afan Oromo broadcasts cover news all over the continent at various times throughout the day. African listeners comprise 40 percent of VOA's total listening audience.

TV to Africa was created three years ago to reach television viewers on the continent. Our programs reach consumers of broadcast and cable television outlets in approximately 33 markets on the continent. Africans throughout the Diaspora also watch our shows.