The Texas Observer is a nonprofit statewide media organization based in Austin. Since its founding in 1954, the Observer has covered important stories that would otherwise be underreported or ignored. We specialize in investigative reporting, tell-it-like-it-is political coverage, and narrative storytelling. The Observer publishes a bimonthly print magazine and produces daily stories at texasobserver.org.

The Observer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.

Jobs & Fellowships

2025 LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP

The Texas Observer is hiring for an intern to cover the 2025 Texas legislative session, running from January through early June. The Observer’s Legislative Internship program is for student journalists—most likely upper-level students with some experience under their belt—whose career goals will be furthered by the front-row experience of reporting on an entire state legislative session. 

The intern will report to the Observer’s primary politics editor and writer, Justin Miller, who will guide the intern in developing sources, following legislation, finding stories, and tracking campaign contributions and lobbyist filings. 

The ideal candidate will have an interest in and basic familiarity with Texas politics and policymaking. The intern will be expected to work as much as possible from the Capitol in order to develop relationships with lawmakers, advocates, and other members of the legislative press corps and in order to be plugged into the session’s biggest stories as they unfold. The intern will be expected to provide some live reporting from the Capitol on social media. Miller and other Observer editors will help the intern identify stories in the legislative whirlwind.

The internship may be done for course credit. The estimated workload is 20 hours per week, and the intern should aim to publish 10-20 stories over the course of the legislative session. The intern will receive a total stipend of $5,000, paid semi-monthly.

The Observer is a nonprofit statewide magazine based in Austin. Since 1954, the Observer has covered important stories that go under-reported or ignored by the mainstream media. We specialize in investigative reporting, tell-it-like-it-is political coverage, and narrative storytelling. We publish a bimonthly print magazine and produce daily stories at texasobserver.org.

The Observer works to hold public officials and corporations accountable and focuses on communities whose stories are too often ignored or poorly told—including people of color, people from working-class backgrounds, women, and LGBTQ+ people. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do; hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

To apply: email a résumé, cover letter, and your three best clips to [email protected] with the subject line: “2025 Legislative Internship.” Tell us about any specific policy areas you’re interested in covering, and why. The deadline to apply is October 25.

DETAILS:

  • Program designed for advanced undergraduates, though graduate students may apply
  • January to June
  • 20 hours/week, $5,000 stipend
  • Location: Austin
  • Output of 10-20 stories

Pitch to Us

Please click here to access the Observer’s complete pitch guide.