KUNR’s Internship: Student Journalists Gaining Real-World Experience

Training Tomorrow’s Journalists: Inside KUNR’s Internship Program

At the crossroads of academic learning and professional journalism, KUNR offers an enriching internship program in collaboration with the University of Nevada, Reno’s Reynolds School of Journalism. This initiative empowers students to develop essential skills for a career in reporting, working closely with experienced journalists in a dynamic newsroom environment.

Hands-On Reporting Experience

Interns at KUNR are tasked with producing a diverse array of stories, ranging from brief newscast pieces to comprehensive feature packages. Mariel Day, one of the student interns, shares, “This internship with KUNR has been such a fun and fulfilling experience. It has taught me a lot about how to become a better journalist.”

KUNR’s student intern Mariel Day. Photo by Autumn Novotny / KUNR Public Radio.

Student Perspectives

Kathleen Leslie, a senior at the University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in journalism and Spanish, values the internship for its unpredictability and the learning opportunities it presents. “I love this internship because I’m always learning something new,” she says.

KUNR's student intern Kathleen Leslie. — KUNR’s student intern Kathleen Leslie. Photo by Autumn Novotny / KUNR Public Radio.

Oscar Martinez, a graduate student from New York, has expanded his reporting skills through KUNR’s partnership with the Hitchcock Project. “Now in my second semester with KUNR, I am exploring a variety of topics to better myself as a reporter,” he notes.

KUNR's student intern Oscar Martinez. — KUNR’s student intern Oscar Martinez. Photo by Autumn Novotny / KUNR Public Radio.

Emilio Milo, another senior intern, embraces the variety of experiences that the internship brings each week, enhancing his skills in journalism and Spanish.

KUNR's student intern Emilio Milo. — KUNR’s student intern Emilio Milo. Photo by Autumn Novotny / KUNR Public Radio.

Ally Ibarra-Soltero, pursuing studies in Journalism and Atmospheric Science, is KUNR’s first meteorologist intern. She remarks on the program’s impact, stating, “I get to spend every day practicing how to interpret weather patterns and shaping my program.”

KUNR student intern Ally Ibarra-Soltero — KUNR’s meteorologist intern Ally Ibarra-Soltero. Photo by Autumn Novotny / KUNR Public Radio.

James Perez, the political reporting intern for Spring 2026, highlights the growth he’s experienced at KUNR, emphasizing the supportive environment that fosters improvement and confidence.

KUNR political reporting intern James Perez. — KUNR’s political reporting intern James Perez. Photo by Autumn Novotny / KUNR Public Radio.

Malory Shaw, aspiring to become an investigative reporter, appreciates KUNR’s commitment to public interest and community, which aligns with her career aspirations.