GRAY MEDIA TRAINING PROGRAM SUMMER '26 - WDAM

About Gray Media:

Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second-highest-rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 45 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

About WDAM:

WDAM is the #1 station in the Hattiesburg-Laurel DMA. We are dominant on broadcast and digital, and produce news on WDAM NBC and WDAM ABC. Hattiesburg-Laurel is market 167, and we reach viewers in eight counties (Covington, Forrest, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Marion, Perry, and Wayne). WDAM is less than two hours driving distance from New Orleans, Mobile, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This is an excellent opportunity to work for a great station and company.

The Training Program:                              

General Responsibilities:

What You’ll Do:

• Own the role: Step into the shoes of a producer, MMJ, meteorologist, or media sales executive and handle real-world assignments (yes, the kind that may go on air and online).
• Drive digital engagement: Create content that lives beyond the TV screen, think social media, streaming apps, and web stories because we’re digital-first, always.
• Collaborate with pros: Work side-by-side with seasoned veterans who are the best in the business, gaining insights you won’t find in any textbook.
• Commit to the craft: Dedicate 25 hours per week for 10 weeks to mastering your specialty and building a professional-grade portfolio.
• Make an impact: Tell stories that matter to the community or help local businesses grow through innovative media strategies.
• Build your future: Position yourself at the front of the line for full-time career opportunities within Gray Media’s network of 113 stations.

What You Bring:

• Current enrollment: You’re a college student (Junior or Senior status preferred) chasing a degree in Journalism, Communications, Sales, Marketing, or a related field.
• A "doer" mindset: You aren't afraid to get your hands dirty and take initiative; you’re here to work, not just watch.
• Digital savvy: You understand that media happens everywhere, from the big screen to the palm of someone’s hand.
• Strong work ethic: You bring urgency, organization, and a "can-do" attitude to every shift. 
• Communication skills: You can tell a story, pitch an idea, or explain a forecast with clarity and confidence.
• Reliability: You’re ready to commit to the full 10-week program and the 25-hour weekly schedule.
• Passion for local: You care about the community and want to see how local media makes a real difference.

Why You’ll Love It Here:

• Real-world experience: You’ll graduate with more than just a line on your resume; you’ll have the experience of having done the job.
• Unprecedented access: With 113 stations across the U.S., you’re part of a massive, innovative network that’s leading the future of media.
• Career fast-track: We love hiring our own. This program is designed to be the ultimate audition for your first full-time role with Gray.
• Paid training: Earn while you learn. This is a paid internship. 
• A culture of innovation: We’re evolving on purpose, and you’ll be right there on the front lines of that evolution.

Qualifications/Requirements:

▪️ Be currently enrolled in a college/university (preferred Junior/Senior)
▪️ Strong work ethic and organizational skills
▪️ College Student, junior or senior, earning a degree in Journalism/Communications, Business, Sales, Marketing, News, Engineering, Sports, or related fields, with