I am currently in the midst of applying to internships for this summer. I'm a journalism major, so I'm obviously looking into major publications, radio stations, newspapers, etc. For those of you that are also inspiring journalists, writers, whatever, please realize that the internship field is INCREDIBLY competitive. You may have to send out 15 applications just to even hear back from one publication; interviews may lead to nowhere. My advice to those discouraged applicants is to not give up! There are smaller publications, radio stations, etc. that are always looking for interns.
My prior internship experience includes WBFO, a National Public Radio affiliate in Buffalo, NY and at Columbia Journalism Review, a magazine run out of Columbia University. So what's better, one may ask? The smaller station in your hometown or going for the big name? In my personal experience, interning at a smaller, local station was infinitely more rewarding on a personal level. I had the amazing experience to work as a true correspondent would; I wasn't just an intern at WBFO, I was part of their staff. At CJR, I was elated just to have gotten such a prestigious internship at a top-notch university. And I won't lie-just having a name like Columbia Journalism Review on a resume can be very, very helpful when internship coordinators are weeding out potential candidates.
My experience at CJR, however, was not what I expected it to be at all. It was a much more self-reliant internship; at WBFO, I was out everyday on assignments, interviewing politicians (my proudest moments are meeting Hillary Clinton and Al Sharpton!) or other important community leaders. At CJR, I was left to my own devices, sans collecting mail and helping with research projects and fact-checking from day to day. What I learned from all of this is to be selective! If you have an interest in fashion, intern at a fashion magazine, if you love food, look for magazines like Bon Appetit, not the New Republic. Pick something that you really truly love (I can't stress this enough!!) DON'T just go for the big names (nothing is quite as it seems, trust me) and you will be MUCH MORE likely to have a rewarding experience.

Some links to look at for internships:

www.mediabistro.com

www.craigslist.com (Look at the jobs sections and put "internships" in the search box)

Or just call, write, or email the Human Resources department of your desired newspaper/magazine/TV station, etc. They can put you in touch with the right people.

Good luck!