- HoustonPBS has UNPAID internship positions available for qualified students age 18 and older.
- If you are interested in an internship for class credit, you should first visit an instructor and/or an advisor to determine the deadlines, requirements, and approvals mandated by your school for this preference; once obtained, this information should accompany your submission to HoustonPBS.
- Commitment Period: internships are generally by semester and require a commitment of at least 10 hours per week:
- Spring = January – April
- Summer = May – July
- Fall = September – December
- Volunteer opportunities are also available in each of the professional disciplines listed below. Your support and time are important to us. Voluntary service will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Please review the list of departmental alternatives below. You will find that there are many interesting and creative career areas within our organization, and potentially within the broadcast television industry itself. If you wish to pursue any of these specialty fields, submit a cover letter specifying your area of interest, a brief resume, and, if applicable, desired commitment period and internship documentation. Send this information to:
VIA E-MAIL: fgarcia@houstonpbs.org
STANDARD MAIL:
Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting
KUHT-TV, HoustonPBS
4343 Elgin
Houston, Texas 77204-0008
ATTENTION: Flor Garcia
DEPARTMENTAL ALTERNATIVES
Communications & Web:
Numerous Communications degrees lead to career opportunities in the Public Relations field. An internship in this dynamic department will increase your understanding of communicating to the public through newspapers, websites, and other media. This departmental association also presents an opportunity to become involved in the support of the station’s web initiative.
Education & Outreach:
HoustonPBS is committed to being a vital community resource with outreach projects that extend far beyond the television set. Through partnerships with other educational, cultural and medical institutions, we address local needs, issues and interests through local program panel discussions, call-ins, screenings and community events. This department offers the opportunity to learn about non-broadcast public television community initiatives, such as “Ready to Learn” workshops for parents, child care professionals and teachers, HISD “Parent Engagement” and “Even Start” programs, and live events which enhance the content of national PBS programs. This is an excellent environment for students or volunteers interested in educational, or social service career fields.
Engineering:
This specialty area is one for the more technically inclined applicant. Learn from professional broadcast engineers responsible for designing & maintaining the broadcast infrastructure, and supporting daily broadcast operations. A unique environment for those interested in Electronic or Systems Engineering, or those with a strong analytical aptitude trying to identify a unique career field.
Member Services:
Most organizations have departments which interact with the public, our Member Services group provides this service for our supporters and is critical to the broadcast of our Quarterly Membership Campaigns. This is a great area for those whose strengths & skills point toward a practical knowledge of computer software, organizing projects, research, and direct communication with clients.
Programming:
Television stations offer a constant flow of programs to potential viewers. Your involvement in this area will allow you to observe and support staff members who are responsible for all of our programming decisions, as well as the daily operational programming flow. Individuals who posses strong decision making, communication and research skills can find out if this broadcast discipline should be on your career radar.
Special Events:
Many non-profit and commercial organizations have an ongoing need for special activities which may involve their staff , clients or contributors. Special events can take the form of charity golf tournaments, health fairs, or organizational workshops. This is an opportunity to gain insight into how to organize, market and produce a special event, the perfect opportunity for anyone who considers themselves a "people person."
Creative Services:
Our Creative Services Department is responsible for the promotion of our broadcast schedule, and in the production of other marketing projects. This group also helps in the development of cutting edge website applications. An excellent area to learn how to combine critical technical and creative skills in either web and broadcast applications.
Television Production:
Patience and experience are two things anyone with an interest in this field will need to have in order to succeed. This area will enable you to gain beneficial on-the-job-training as you start your broadcasting career. Professional opportunities in this career field are very limited; and typically production disciplines require a college degree and a minimum 3-5 years of professional experience. While Producing and Directing are two of the more well known positions within the industry, other careers may actually be a better fit for your skills and talents. This area can help you learn about those specialty areas within the broadcast field. A valuable starting point to a practical understanding of audio, editing, lighting, field & studio production, and basic equipment operations.
