FIO Digital Communications Intern

Job Description

About the Florida Institute of Oceanography

The Florida Institute of Oceanography is an Institute of the University of South Florida and a Consortium that consists of 34 members across the state. Established by the Florida Board of Governors, FIO provides support and shares marine science resources between the state’s universities and private, nonprofit marine research entities. FIO operates the R/V Western Flyer, R/V Weatherbird II, R/V Hogarth and the Keys Marine Laboratory in Layton, Florida. Learn more at fio.usf.edu . FIO’s communications team tells the stories behind this work- spotlighting scientific discovery, field expeditions, student experiences, and the real-world impact of oceanographic research and workforce development.

Internship Description

FIO is seeking a creative and motivated Digital Communications Intern to support storytelling and digital media initiatives across online, print, and broadcast platforms. This internship is ideal for students interested in journalism, public relations, advertising and marketing, filmmaking, digital communications, and/or story-telling from a science/STEM perspective. Interns will collaborate with FIO staff, researchers, and students to help produce compelling content that highlights FIO programs, vessels, events, and scientific achievements.

Responsibilities

Interns may work across multiple areas depending on interest and skill set, including:

Content Creation & Storytelling

Pitch, research, and write stories for the FIO website, newsletters, publications and marketing collateral.
Conduct interviews with scientists, crew members, students, and stakeholders.
Develop feature stories, profiles, and news-style pieces for digital or print distribution.

Digital Media Production

Capture and edit photos and video footage from fieldwork, vessel operations, events, and outreach and research activities.
Assist with producing short-form videos, social media clips, and mini-documentaries.
Edit and optimize content for web, social media, and broadcast formats.

Social Media & Marketing

Draft and schedule posts for FIO social media channels.
Track post reach, engagement, and impact.
Support digital campaigns that promote research expeditions, educational initiatives, and public outreach.
Help design graphics, infographics, and collateral that align with FIO’s branding.

Public Relations & Outreach

Assist with writing content for newsletters and widely distributed announcements.
Monitor news coverage, track analytics, and contribute to communication reports.
Support event coverage including open houses, vessel tours, conference presentations, and workshops.

Research & Communications Support

Conduct background research for stories, campaigns, and video projects.
Organize digital assets (photos, video, audio) and streamline FIO’s media library.
Help maintain website content and assist with SEO tasks when needed.

Qualifications

Active USF students only.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Interest in environmental-related storytelling, ocean science, and digital media.
Experience with any of the following is a plus:
Photography and/or video production
Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Illustrator, Photoshop)
Social media platforms and analytics tools
AP Style writing
Web content management (WordPress or similar)
Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and collaborate with a team.
Curiosity, creativity, and willingness to learn new tools and techniques.

Time Commitment

Hours of operation are 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
This internship requires a minimum of 10 hours a week during the Spring 2026 semester.
This unpaid internship is in-person with no remote work opportunities.

What You Will Learn

Upon successful completion of the internship, the student will have gained hands-on experience and professional skills including:

How to develop compelling science-based stories for diverse audiences.
Best practices for digital journalism, public relations writing, and media outreach.
Photography and videography skills, including field shooting and post-production editing.
Graphic design fundamentals and visual communication techniques.
Social media strategy, content performance analysis, and audience engagement.
Website content creation and basic maintenance.
How to support communications efforts for scientific institutions, research vessels, and field operations.
Experience working with real-world oceanographic research, environmental data, and outreach/community initiatives.

Compensation & Academic Credit

This unpaid internship is available for academic credit depending on your program requirements. An internship of 10 hrs/week for 15 weeks is equivalent to 3 credit hours for the Spring 2026 semester.

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.