The CUNY TV Internship & Mentorship Program offers students a rare opportunity to step inside a professional, Emmy Award winning television station and the ability to contribute directly to the stories that shape New York’s diverse media landscape. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students across all CUNY campuses, the program is designed to merge hands-on production experience with mentorship from industry experienced staff. Students don’t just observe the workflow of a functioning TV station, they learn how to create for it.
The internship program is structured to expose students to multiple aspects of production, allowing them to participate in pitch meetings, assist on studio and field shoots, operate cameras, edit content, conduct research, and contribute to social media strategy. Interns often rotate through different responsibilities, gaining a full understanding of how CUNY TV produces its 35 plus programs. Whether a student finds interest in writing scripts, producing segments, shooting footage, or cutting stories in post-production, the internship program provides direct access to professional Grade A equipment. This access to hands-on work allows students to build strong portfolios that often include their first on-air credits.
What makes the CUNY TV Internship Program especially unique is its commitment to diversity and community storytelling, deep rooted values that reflect both New York City and the university that it serves. Interns come from a wide range of majors, cultural backgrounds, and levels of media experience. The program embraces that diversity as a strength, encouraging students to bring their lived experiences into the storytelling process. As a result, CUNY TV’s content reflects various voices, and interns play a meaningful part in genuine stories that might otherwise not be told. Many of the shows highlight issues facing young people, immigrant communities, artists, small business owners, local leaders, all topics that resonate authentically with the network’s audience.
Beyond production training, the mentorship component of the program is one of its most impactful features. Each intern is paired with a CUNY TV staff member who provides personalized feedback, professional insight, and career guidance. This support system is what often makes the difference for students who are exploring careers in film, journalism, or television for the first time. Often the relationships built in the program continue beyond the semester, evolving into long-term professional connections.
With CUNY TV now available via streaming, mobile app, and podcasting platforms, interns witness how traditional broadcast integrates with digital storytelling. Those interested in emerging media can gain experience creating content for online audiences, editing clips for social media and exploring strategies that help educational programming reach viewers on multiple devices. This exposure prepares students to enter a media industry that increasingly demands versatility.
CUNY TV’s internship program is also an illustration of its dedication to the future. Many former interns have gone on to work at major news networks, production companies, digital media startups, and film organizations, crediting their time at CUNY TV as their first real step into the industry. Students interested in applying can submit a résumé, writing or video samples, depending upon their professional track and an interest statement outlining why the applicant wants to join the program. Because CUNY TV accepts students from all CUNY schools, the program encourages applicants at every experience level to apply.
For CUNY students looking to build skills, gain professional mentorship, and contribute to meaningful stories, the CUNY TV Internship & Mentorship Program offers a pathway into the media world unlike any other. It remains one of the most accessible, inclusive, and creatively rewarding opportunities within the university system. As CUNY TV continues to evolve, the next generation of storytellers has never been more essential.
