The Post and Courier announces record-breaking statewide internship program in partnership with six South Carolina colleges

CHARLESTON, South Carolina — The Post and Courier, South Carolina’s largest media company and leading independent newspaper, is making history this fall with the launch of a record-breaking internship initiative.

Through its University Partnerships program launched in January 2025, The Post and Courier will onboard 33 fully funded, paid interns who will work across the state.

This initiative pioneers collaborative, mutually beneficial partnerships between colleges, universities and Post and Courier brands to exchange talent and resources and mitigate the effects of news deserts in South Carolina.

The program is made possible through partnerships with six institutions of higher education:

• Francis Marion University
• The Technical College of the Lowcountry
• University of South Carolina
• University of South Carolina Beaufort
• Winthrop University
• Wofford College

Funded through scholarships from foundations and private donors committed to preserving local journalism, the initiative aims to build a pipeline of future journalists, marketing professionals and advertising experts. Most interns will work from offices located on their respective campuses alongside The Post and Courier staff and receive college credit in addition to compensation.

“The University Partnerships program is not only about giving students real-world experience — it’s about sustaining the future of independent journalism in South Carolina,” said PJ Browning, president and publisher of The Post and Courier. “Universities gain the opportunity to provide students with experiential learning opportunities while building their portfolios and actively engaging in the inner workings of a local free press.”

In turn, The Post and Courier and its affiliated brands benefit by building a pipeline of future journalists, marketing and advertising staff that builds community and protects democracy — bridging the gap between academia and the news media.

“To the best of our knowledge, no other newspaper in the nation has launched an internship program at this scale,” Browning added. “We’re incredibly proud to support the next generation of media professionals.”