Life changing internship - Intern NPR Employee Review

5.0
Dec 5, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Every employee is absolutely brilliant. People who work at NPR are some of the most caring and wonderful people I've ever met. Their commitment to quality journalism is unmatched. The staff at the employee cafe, the custodians, the engineers, really, everyone is awesome! I loved my job, even the bad days, and I learned SO much. The best part is the teamwork. Everyone works together, teaches one another and is always open to help. I worked with many people outside of my department and was never turned away. From hosts, to execs and producers, everyone treated me respect and valued my opinions. Even though I was just an intern, I never felt like like I was on the bottom of the totem pole.

Cons

The only con is that it's hard to get a full-time position. People who are there don't want to leave and the union is STRONG. NPR typically hires internally and one of the few ways to get in is through an internship. The lucky interns become temps and cross their fingers something opens up. I met an employee who temped for THREE YEARS! It causes many talented people to leave and seek a salaried position elsewhere. It truly is a bummer for the company and staff because most employees love NPR and don't want to leave. After my internship, about 1/4 of my fellow interns got temp gigs. One was hired full-time. Many interns are recent grads which is why they can starting temping immediately after their program ends. I only left because I was one of the few undergraduates who had to return to school. I wish more than anything that I could have stayed, but everything happens for a reason. Interns who weren't hired had to move on (obviously), but thankfully with NPR on your resume moving on isn't too hard.

Explore other reviews about NPR

5.0
Mar 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I was fully remote, learned so much from a great group of peers, the union is strong and active, pay was fair

Cons

The federal funding saga put a damper on morale, but that was pretty outside of the scope of what my team/manager could control.

4.0
Jun 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

tiny desks happen at work

Cons

soulless and corporate, management is all-powerful, benefits are slowly disappearing, few career prospects unless you fit a certain "profile"

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