State Journalist Internship

State Journalist Internship

Basic information 

Job description

Position: Journalist

Open seats for interns: 10 

Location: Remote 

Company: I.R.D.I. Business Group®, LLC 

Duration: Spring 2026 3-6 months 

Compensation: Unpaid. This internship is unpaid and classified as a volunteer position. 

Hours: Select your own hours 

CPT OR OPT: is not available or accepted for this position. 

Must be an American citizen and eligible to legally work in the United States. 

 About Us

I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC (http://irdiworld.com) is a global commerce and economic development firm founded in California in 2003. The organization designs and executes real-world economic strategy projects across international trade, market development, business intelligence, and cross-border partnerships.

In 2007, the firm received formal recognition from the State of California for its leadership supporting California’s boutique wine industry during a period of economic disruption. Since then, the organization has expanded its national and international engagement, supporting manufacturers, public agencies, and emerging enterprises.

Students working with I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC gain direct exposure to real-world industry projects aligned with their academic major and career goals. Participants contribute to live national and global initiatives involving applied research, strategy development, data analysis, professional communications, and execution. This hands-on experience accelerates industry readiness and builds practical skills that translate directly into competitive career pathways.

This program is designed for motivated students seeking exposure to complex real-world challenges, high professional standards, and meaningful responsibility. Participants develop leadership judgment, operational discipline, and global business fluency that distinguish them in competitive professional and academic environments.

Participation is open to qualified students nationwide. Academic credit opportunities may be available for California State University students.

I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC — Providing Real-World Solutions for Real-World Problems©

Role Overview

Do you have a passion for Journalism? Do you see your voice helping your community and state understand the world around them? Is your goal in Journalism to make an impact and bring resources together to strengthen and improve the lives of others, both personally and economically?  

If yes is the voice within. Then you have a place at our Journalism table. 

We are seeking talented and motivated Journalists to join our team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to report on global commerce trends, create engaging content, and contribute to our corporate communications efforts. 

As a member of our Journalism team, you will be in contact with news sources, state organizations, and industry groups throughout your State. This is a role where you will actively report on the economic and Business activities that impact your communities and state.  This post will be influential as you will be contacted for sources in your State. If you or one of your immediate family members has served in our nation’s military, we want to hear from you! 

All interns who successfully complete their skills confirmation process will receive a 

Letter of Recommendation confirming their skills and proficiency from the President of I.R.D.I. Business Group®, LLC, at the end of the 2026 semester. 

Bring your voice forward! 

Key Responsibilities

• Research and write articles, reports, and press releases on topics related to global commerce, international trade, and business development.
• Conduct interviews with industry experts, business leaders, and stakeholders to gather insights and produce high-quality content.
• Assist in the creation and editing of newsletters, blog posts, and other corporate publications.
• Collaborate with the marketing and public relations team to develop content and strategies that align with our mission in addressing issues.
• Journalists will write 10 articles during the course of the semester.
• Make regular posts on our corporate Facebook page
• Monitor global commerce news and trends to keep our audience informed and engaged.
• Support the development of multimedia content, including video scripts and podcasts.
• Ensure all content is accurate, well-researched, and adheres to journalistic standards

Qualifications 

• Enrolled Graduating Senior, Master's Student, or PhD Student.
• Currently pursuing a degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• Strong interest in global commerce and international business.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to conduct thorough research and produce well-rounded articles.
• Strong interviewing and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with content management systems and digital publishing tools.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Prior experience in journalism or content creation is a plus.
• Proof of current enrolment and current transcripts.

What We Offer

• Hands-on experience with real-world journalism projects.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate your academic schedule.
• Opportunity to build a professional portfolio.
• Potential for future employment opportunities.
• Add unrivalled gravity to your credentials as an experienced global practitioner in your industry.

Compensation 

This internship is unpaid and classified as a volunteer position. 

Students at universities with which I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC holds academic agreements may be eligible for academic credit. Please contact us to confirm if your institution participates. 

Only interns who have successfully completed their “confirmation of competence” period (one full semester, volunteer tier) are eligible for job offers and paid project proposals. Division managers will assess the interns' proficiency and skills to determine competency. Upon successful evaluation, only confirmed interns may be considered for paid job or project offers.  

Evaluation Process 

After submitting your required documents (proof of enrolment, cover letter, and resume), you may be asked to complete a brief questionnaire. We reserve the right to offer candidates a job offer once your materials are reviewed, without a traditional interview.  Offers to join our internship may also be extended without completing the questionnaire. 

Job offers are based on factors such as prior experience, recommendations from professors or team members, and overall qualifications. We reserve the right to exercise discretion in extending offers to candidates outside a traditional interview process. 

Upon accepting an offer, students must verify their identity by submitting a copy of their state- or federally issued ID, which will be confirmed against school records before a work agreement is provided. 

Overview: Handling of Students’ Sensitive Information 

Purpose of Collection 

Sensitive information, such as State or Federal identification, is requested only after a student has been formally offered an internship. 

The sole purpose of this request is to verify applicants’ legal identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to protect both the student and the organization from fraudulent activity. 

Transmission of Documents 

1. Students are not required to send documents by email. 
2. Secure channels recommended, such as: 
3. Google Drive restricted sharing (view-only, password-protected, expiring access). 
4. Open-source secure methods are available for students who prefer an alternative.
5. SecureDrop: (open-source whistleblower submission system) 
6. OnionShare: An open-source tool using Tor that allows anonymous, encrypted file sharing directly between students and organizations. 

Storage and Access Controls of sensitive information 

• All sensitive student information (State or Federal IDs) is stored in encrypted drives accessible only to authorized personnel directly involved in internship verification. 
• Access is strictly limited and monitored. Logs are kept of who accesses the files and when. 
• Files are not shared with third parties under any circumstances.

Retention and Disposal 

• Student identification documents are kept only as long as necessary to verify work eligibility and fulfil compliance requirements. 
• Once verification is complete, documents are either: 

1. Permanently deleted (or) 
2. Archived securely if required by law or institutional policy, with clear retention timelines. 

Confidentiality Commitment 

• All material is classified as private and confidential. Only senior Human Resources management and law enforcement have access to sensitive data. 
• Students are informed of the exact purpose of ID collection. 
• Used only for confirmation of the student’s identification and background check. 

How to Apply 

Interested candidates should submit the following: 

1. A current resume. 
2. A cover letter explaining your interest in the internship and how you meet the qualifications. 
3. Submit Proof of current enrolment as a Senior or Master's program for the Spring 2026semester. 

Please submit your application, proof of enrolment, and proof of U.S. citizenship via your Handshake account. 

 Application Deadline 

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. 

I.R.D.I. Business Group®, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  

Note: I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC maintains standing cooperation with domestic and international law enforcement agencies. All submitted information is subject to verification, background screening, and review by our compliance and cybersecurity divisions. Any falsification, misrepresentation, or submission of misleading, inconsistent, or counterfeit information or any conduct intended to mislead, disrupt, or interfere with the organization may result in immediate disqualification and referral to appropriate law enforcement and legal authorities. By submitting information or engaging with I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC, you acknowledge and consent to these verification, disclosure, and enforcement provisions.