User Experience (UX) Internship - Summer 2027

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Experience (UX) Internship - Summer 2027

Company: The Minnesota Star Tribune

Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA

Job Type: FULL_TIME Internship

Category: UX/Product Design Internship

Date Posted: September 18, 2026

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Gain hands-on experience in user-centered product design within the media industry, focusing on digital news products.

• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and UX designers across various departments to support company-wide initiatives.

• Contribute to all stages of the UX design process, from user research and ideation to wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.

• Develop a professional portfolio by working on meaningful, real-world projects that enhance audience engagement and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically designed as a Summer Internship for 2027, offering a structured 10-week program for students and recent graduates interested in the product side of local news. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and UX designers on projects that support company-wide initiatives and serve local news audiences.

• Contribute to various stages of the user experience design process, including user research, UX strategy, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.

• Assist in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research to identify user needs and opportunities for product improvement.

• Create and maintain design documentation, annotations, and supporting materials to facilitate cross-functional collaboration.

• Support the maintenance and evolution of the design system to ensure consistency across digital products.

• Participate in design reviews, audits, and usability evaluations to help improve user experiences and product quality.

• Present design concepts, findings, and recommendations to stakeholders and project teams.

• Work on meaningful, real-world projects that provide hands-on experience in news product design and audience engagement.

• Build a portfolio of UX work while gaining exposure to how product, design, and technology teams collaborate to create impactful digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a comprehensive UX internship experience, covering the entire design lifecycle and emphasizing cross-functional teamwork. The inclusion of "design system" and "usability evaluations" indicates a mature design practice within the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or postgraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., HCI, Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or related discipline).

• Current undergraduate, graduate student, or recent college graduate status. Experience:

• Demonstrated experience through coursework, personal projects, or previous internships in UX design principles and methodologies.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs using Figma.

• Understanding of design thinking principles and the ability to incorporate feedback into iterative design solutions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated problem-solving abilities.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Adaptable learner with the ability to quickly grasp new tools, technologies, and concepts.

• Passion for user experience design and creating meaningful digital products. Preferred Skills:

• Experience or strong interest in the media or news industry.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and synthesis.

• Knowledge of design system principles and maintenance.

• Experience with usability testing and evaluation techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: While formal experience requirements are minimal due to the internship nature, the emphasis on Figma proficiency, design thinking, and collaboration skills suggests the company seeks candidates who can quickly contribute and learn within a professional UX environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of UX projects demonstrating your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to create user-centered solutions.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and the outcome or impact of your work.

• Visual examples of wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Documentation showcasing your understanding of user research, ideation, and iterative design. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've applied design thinking principles to solve user problems.

• Artifacts demonstrating your ability to translate user needs and business requirements into actionable design solutions.

• Evidence of collaboration with engineers, product managers, or other stakeholders in a design context.

• Prototypes that effectively communicate design concepts and user interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an internship role, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating potential. The company expects to see a clear design process, proficiency in tools like Figma, and an understanding of user-centered design principles, even if derived from academic projects or personal endeavors.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $22.55 per hour

Benefits:

• Modern Downtown Office: Access to a state-of-the-art workspace.

• Free Fitness Center: On-site facilities for employee well-being.

• Collaborative Center: Spaces designed for teamwork and innovation.

• Rooftop Patio: Enjoyable outdoor space for breaks and relaxation.

• Commuting Subsidy: Assistance with transportation costs.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Health coverage for employees.

• Wellness Program: Participation with financial incentives.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Time for rest and rejuvenation.

• Flexible Holidays: Adaptable holiday schedule.

• One Volunteer Day: Opportunity for community engagement.

• Two Wellness Days: Dedicated days for personal well-being.

• 401(k) with Company Match: Retirement savings plan with employer contribution.

• Paid Parental and Caregiving Leave: Support for family needs.

• Hybrid Work Arrangements: Flexibility in work location.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Financial assistance for continuing education.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support for personal and work-related issues.

• Pet Insurance: Coverage for beloved pets.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Pre-tax savings for healthcare or dependent care.

• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Tax-advantaged savings for medical expenses.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, consistent with a full-time internship.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate of $22.55 is competitive for a UX internship in Minneapolis, MN, aligning with industry standards for entry-level roles in creative fields. The extensive benefits package, particularly those focused on well-being and professional development (like tuition reimbursement and wellness programs), highlights the company's commitment to employee support, even for interns.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Publishing, Digital News

Company Size: 500-1000 Employees

Founded: 1867 (159 years of legacy)

Team Structure:

• The intern will join the Product & Technology team, specifically within the UX team.

• Collaboration will extend across Product Management, Engineering, News, Advertising, Consumer Growth, and Marketing departments.

• This structure indicates a highly cross-functional environment where UX is integrated into core business functions. Methodology:

• User-centered design is a core methodology, emphasizing user research and iterative improvements.

• Design thinking principles are applied to solve problems and drive innovation.

• A focus on digital product development and audience engagement is evident.

• Collaboration and communication are key to integrating design efforts across various business units.

Company Website: https://www.startribune.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The Star Tribune's long history combined with its modern media organization status suggests a blend of established journalistic integrity and a forward-thinking approach to digital transformation. The company's recent accolades from Fast Company and Newsweek further reinforce its commitment to innovation and employee satisfaction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level Internship

Reporting Structure: The UX Intern will report to a UX Designer or Manager within the Product & Technology team. They will collaborate closely with product managers and engineers.

Operations Impact: Interns will contribute to real-world projects that directly impact the user experience of digital news products, influencing audience engagement, content consumption, and potentially advertising effectiveness. This provides tangible experience in driving product improvements within a media context.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Intensive hands-on experience in UX research, design (wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity), and the use of industry-standard tools like Figma.

• Portfolio Building: Creation of professional UX work samples and case studies that can be leveraged for future job applications.

• Industry Exposure: Deep understanding of the digital media landscape, product development cycles in news organizations, and cross-functional collaboration dynamics.

• Networking: Opportunities to connect with experienced professionals in UX, Product Management, and Technology.

• Potential for Future Roles: Strong performance may lead to consideration for future opportunities within the Star Tribune, depending on business needs and intern availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship is framed as a significant learning and portfolio-building opportunity. The emphasis on "meaningful, real-world projects" and exposure to "how product, design, and technology teams collaborate" suggests a structured program designed for substantial professional development, even within a 10-week timeframe.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, hybrid work environment with a state-of-the-art downtown office.

Office Location(s): Minneapolis, MN (Headquarters).

Workspace Context:

• The downtown office offers advanced amenities, including a free fitness center, collaborative spaces, a golf simulator, and a rooftop patio, fostering a positive and amenity-rich work environment.

• The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility, balancing in-office collaboration with remote work.

• The emphasis on collaboration suggests that in-office days will be focused on team interaction, design reviews, and cross-functional meetings.

Work Schedule: The internship is a full-time commitment, expected to be around 40 hours per week, running from June to August 2027. While hybrid, specific in-office days will likely be determined by team needs and project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the office as "modern" and "state-of-the-art," along with specific amenities, indicates a company that invests in its physical workspace and employee experience. The hybrid nature, combined with the internship duration, suggests a need for interns to be present for key team activities and collaborative sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume, references, and portfolio/work samples.

• Initial Screening: Review of applications and portfolios for required skills and experience.

• Interviews: Likely includes interviews with UX team members, hiring managers, and potentially cross-functional stakeholders. These will assess design thinking, problem-solving, collaboration skills, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present their portfolio or specific case studies during an interview to discuss their design process and rationale.

• Final Selection: Offer extended based on overall assessment of qualifications, potential, and fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Thoughtfully: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX process and problem-solving abilities. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the steps you took (research, ideation, design, testing), your design decisions, and the outcome or learnings. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your process.

• Highlight Figma Skills: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your proficiency with Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.

• Showcase Design Thinking: Articulate how you approached problems from a user-centered perspective, including any research or testing conducted.

• Tailor to Media: If possible, include projects that touch upon content, media, or digital products, demonstrating an understanding of the industry's unique challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail, using your portfolio as a reference.

• Practice articulating your thought process for solving hypothetical UX challenges relevant to a news media organization.

• Understand the Star Tribune's mission and its digital products to frame your responses within their context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly requires a portfolio, making it the most critical component of the application. The review process will likely focus on demonstrating a clear understanding of UX methodologies, proficiency in Figma, and the ability to communicate design rationale effectively, rather than extensive professional experience.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required tool for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design. Proficiency is a must.

• Design System Tools: While not specified, experience contributing to or working with design systems is beneficial, suggesting familiarity with tools for component libraries and style guides.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Interns will likely interact with analytics dashboards to understand user behavior, though direct proficiency might not be required. Familiarity with common analytics concepts is helpful. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this UX internship role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary technical requirement for this role is Figma. While other design and research tools may be used within the team, Figma is the stated necessity for creating design artifacts. An understanding of how design systems function is also highlighted as beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Journalistic Excellence & Community Impact: A strong commitment to building a better Minnesota through journalism and connecting communities.

• Innovation & Reinvention: Passion for shaping the future of a trusted institution and leading into a new era of growth.

• User-Centricity: Dedication to creating exceptional digital experiences and understanding user needs.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly cross-functional, with UX interns working closely with Product, Technology, News, Advertising, Consumer Growth, and Marketing.

• Open communication and feedback are encouraged, as evidenced by participation in design reviews and the need to present findings to stakeholders.

• A blend of structured processes (design systems, user research) and agile methodologies is likely employed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Star Tribune emphasizes its mission and values, particularly in journalism and community impact. For a UX intern, this translates to creating digital experiences that serve these organizational goals. The culture appears to be one that values innovation, collaboration, and a user-focused approach within a dynamic media environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Media Environment: Adapting to the rapid pace of news cycles and digital product development in the media industry.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively advocating for user experience while considering business objectives, technical constraints, and editorial priorities.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Navigating diverse stakeholder needs and communicating design rationale clearly to non-design audiences.

• Learning New Tools/Processes: Quickly mastering Figma and understanding the Star Tribune's specific design systems and workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into UX: Comprehensive experience across the UX design lifecycle, from research to high-fidelity design.

• Industry Insight: Gaining practical knowledge of product development within a major news organization.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Building a strong set of case studies and design artifacts.

• Professional Networking: Connecting with experienced designers, product managers, and technologists.

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced UX professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in the practical application of UX skills within a real-world media context. The challenges presented are typical of entry-level roles in dynamic industries and offer significant learning potential for interns willing to embrace them.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used user research to inform a design decision. What was the outcome?"

• "Walk me through a UX project in your portfolio. What was the problem, your process, and your role?"

• "How do you incorporate feedback into your design process?"

• "Imagine we need to improve the user experience for [a specific feature, e.g., article sharing or subscription signup]. How would you approach this problem?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in UX design, and why specifically at the Star Tribune?"

• "What do you know about the Star Tribune's mission and its role in the Minnesota community?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers or product managers?"

• "Describe your ideal work environment." Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Clearly present 2-3 projects. For each, detail: Problem statement, your role, target users, research methods, ideation/sketching, design iterations (wireframes, prototypes), final designs, and outcomes/learnings.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize how you arrived at your solutions, not just the final visuals. Explain your rationale for design decisions.

• Highlight Figma Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of Figma features for prototyping, component libraries, and design handoff.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the impact of your designs. For an internship, focus on potential impact or learnings.

• Be Concise: Present key information efficiently, allowing time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on the portfolio and the ability to articulate the UX process. Candidates should research the Star Tribune's digital products and mission to align their answers with the company's context. Expect questions that assess both technical UX skills and soft skills like collaboration and problem-solving.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Experience (UX) Internship:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Ultipro recruiting portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong UX projects that showcase your design thinking, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency with Figma. Ensure each project clearly details the problem, your process, your role, and the outcome or learnings.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant coursework, UX skills (Figma, wireframing, prototyping, user research), any previous design experience (academic or professional), and strong communication/collaboration abilities.

• Prepare Your References: Have two professional or academic references ready with their contact information (title, phone, email).

• Research the Star Tribune: Understand their mission, recent work, and digital products to better articulate your interest and how your skills align with their goals.

• Practice Your Presentation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio and discuss your design process confidently during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions relevant to UX internships. All details, especially regarding application timelines and specific interview stages, should be verified directly with The Minnesota Star Tribune through their official channels.