For two weeks in May, Poynter will open its doors to 40 college journalists or recent graduates who are ready to hit the ground running as they enter their first professional newsrooms.
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 Poynter Fellows have gone on to pioneer new methods of storytelling, lead newsrooms and even win Pulitzers. They have become passionate practitioners of every craft: reporting and writing, design, photojournalism, graphics and all forms of multimedia.
They’ve used their skills to help people make sense of what’s going on in the world. And they’ve developed relationships with Poynter that last throughout their careers.
We are proud of our College Fellows. And we’re ready for the next class.
Poynter’s 2010 College Fellowship (May 16-28) is an intensive, two-week program in which students work in a classroom and on a beat to report and produce stories about the local community. They will have countless opportunities for one-on-one coaching with Poynter faculty and professional journalists.
The Fellowship is open to college juniors, seniors, grad students and recent graduates interested in all forms of journalism. The deadline for applications is Monday, March 1.
Want to hear from some previous 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 Oregonian in Portland, 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, Editorial Production Manager, National Public Radio, 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.”
McKenna Ewan, a 2009 summer fellow, created a personal video about the fellowship, which you can view here.
