What could be better for a young journalist than two weeks at The Poynter Institute, in an intensive, multimedia boot camp?
Offer free tuition?
To steal a good phrase: Yes, we can.
For two weeks next May, Poynter will be turned over to 40 college students or recent graduates who want to make their understanding of the news and their entry into journalism as solid as possible.
We’re looking for those journalists now. It’s time to apply.
Young journalists have always been a top priority for Poynter. For more than 30 years, the institute has led one of the best-known programs in the world for recent college graduates. Poynter fellows have gone on to pioneer new methods of storytelling, lead newsrooms and win Pulitzers.
They’ve used their skills to help people make sense of what’s going on in the world. And they’ve developed a relationship with Poynter that lasts throughout their careers.
We are proud of the Poynter fellows. They have gone on to become passionate practitioners of every craft, from reporting and writing to design, photojournalism, graphics and all forms of multimedia.
We’re ready for the next class, and we’re taking it further to reach more young journalists — and more varied crafts in 2009 than ever before. We’ve re-imagined and broadened our commitment to include the fellowship, as well as a series of workshops on campuses around the U.S. and online. We’re pleased to offer this outline of the opportunities for journalists who are just about to enter their first newsroom experiences.
Poynter 2009 Fellowship for College Journalists: Applications are due by Jan. 30, 2009. College juniors, seniors, graduate students or recent graduates are eligible. Forty fellows will be selected and notified by mid-February. Writers, photojournalists, graphic artists, designers, broadcast and multimedia journalists are welcome to apply.
Poynter on the College Campus: Specialized training at four university campuses around the U.S. during 2009. Each conference will include Poynter’s foundational teaching. Locations and dates will be announced soon.
Poynter Webinars for College Journalists: A range of highly specialized online workshops developed for journalists who are just entering the field. Participants can log in either as an individual or within a class setting.
For more information about the 2009 training for college journalists, look for updates on Poynter Online, or contact Sara Quinn.
Want to hear from the former Poynter fellows themselves?
Will Sullivan, interactive director at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2005 Fellowship Class
“What exceeded my expectations? The depth and variety of speakers, perspectives and skills presented, and everyone’s willingness to bend over backwards to help you out. It’s truly one of the most perfect learning environments I’ve ever experienced in my career.”
Monique Garcia, reporter at the Chicago Tribune, 2006 Fellowship Class
“I had no idea what I was getting myself in to, but I’m forever thankful that I just jumped. Those weeks were the most inspiring, energizing, draining and humbling days of my career. The speakers and instructors were never afraid to push, and my peers were never afraid to catch me when I fell.”
Peter Zuckerman, reporter at The (Portland) Oregonian, winner of the 2006 Livingston Award, 2003 Fellowship Class
“Um, what didn’t exceed my expectations? The one-on-one coaching with some of the brightest minds in journalism was especially awesome.”
José Kusunoki, chief Web designer
at El Comercio, Lima, Peru; 2008 Fellowship Class
“This program is not only about making better professionals, but about making better people. I didn’t just learn about Flash, video, audio, Soundslides, storytelling, writing techniques and narrative structures; I learned about ethics and diversity and how to respect deadlines, other people’s work and my teammates.”
Julia Robinson, photojournalist at
the Columbia Daily Tribune, 2007 Fellowship Class
“The talent and dedication of the visiting faculty was unexpected. Every week, captains of the industry dropped by and made themselves completely available for critiques, help with a project, and answering questions about the working world.”
Matt Thompson, Donald W. Reynolds Fellow at the University of Missouri, 2003 Fellowship Class
“I’m amazed that five years later, I still find myself recalling things I learned during the fellowship and applying them to my day-to-day work. And I still rely on the colleagues cultivated during those weeks for coaching and collaboration.”
Jeremy Burton, city hall reporter at the Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.,
2007 Fellowship Class
“There is simply nothing else like it out there. What I gained from Poynter was truly a different way of seeing journalism. When you slow the notes down and you know what the chords are, you understand songs in a way you didn’t before. With the fellowship it was just like that — the writing, the reporting, the ethics, the teamwork, the values, the ideas and the energy of all things journalism. It was like discovering the love of reporting for the first time all over again, because you’re seeing it with new eyes.”
