WLS-TV (ABC7) Race & Culture Intern, Summer/Fall 2025

About the Role & Program

ABC7 (WLS-TV) Chicago is the Midwest flagship of the ABC television network. ABC7 leads the market in local news coverage with daily newscasts and has been in the number one position in local news since March 1986. Our station’s offices and studios are in The Loop in downtown Chicago!

What You Will Do

Our Race and Culture Unit launched in 2020 amid the national awakening on race. Our team explores the impact of such things as race, ethnicity, culture, gender, and sexual orientation on everyday life. Our team also strives to expand the diversity of voices included in storytelling as a station!

• Help to develop and write on-air stories and research story ideas by getting in touch with community members
• You will follow up on story pitch emails
• Log interviews
• Create outstanding, fun, and engaging video content for a variety of social media platforms
• You will become TikTok and Instagram savvy. Amplifying our brand’s voice by dreaming up that next viral post.
• You’ll be a hard-working ambassador for the TV station, representing us at lively community events and activations.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Knowledge of how to log interviews, screen calls, and emails
• Some editorial experience to determine the focus of the story
• Strong communication skills
• Strong social media knowledge. Creative experience in making social media videos/reels/posts (TikTok, Instagram, Twitter).
• Be passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice issues/principles.
• Attention to detail, exacting standards, and outstanding organizational skills
• Bring your passion, creativity, and integrity every day.
• Be able to work collaboratively and independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the Chicago television market
• Video production and editing skills are preferred.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information:

Candidates for this opportunity MUST meet all of the below requirements:

• Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.
• Current Disney Interns, College, International, or Culinary Program Participants: You may only work for ONE consecutive year (12 months) in any combination of an internship and/or program.
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Possess unrestricted work authorization

Additional Information:

• Able to have a consistent, reliable work schedule throughout the internship
• The approximate dates of this internship are June 2025 through January 2026
• Availability to work part-time hours (20 hours per week) Monday – Friday for the duration of the internship.
• Able to provide own housing for the duration of internship program in the Chicago, IL area
• Able to provide reliable transportation to/from work Chicago, IL area

Required Documentation:

• Candidate must provide a link to a portfolio of work samples on resume (if applicable, please include a password in the section indicated in the application)

Print This Role Description: Strong candidates may be invited to complete a phone interview. We strongly encourage applicants to print a copy of this role description, so they can refer to it in the event they are selected for a phone interview. Note that this role description will not be accessible once the posting is closed.

The pay rate for this role in Illinois is $18.00 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

About Disney Entertainment Television:

Disney Entertainment Television is a collection of renowned content brands at The Walt Disney Company creating original entertainment and news programming for the company’s streaming platforms Disney+, Hulu and Star, and its broadcast and cable networks. Its extensive portfolio is comprised of ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective, in addition to Disney Television Studios, which include 20th Television, 20th Television Animation, ABC Signature and Walt Disney Television Alternative. Responsible for over 4,500 hours of programming a year across more than 300 programs of all genres, Disney Entertainment Television’s creative brands are at the forefront of groundbreaking storytelling, captivating audiences and generating critical acclaim. In 2023, Disney Entertainment Television’s programming excellence earned 163 Emmy® nominations across daytime, primetime, news & documentary, and children’s & family categories.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with WLS Television, Inc. , which is part of a business we call Disney Entertainment Television .

WLS Television, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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