POYNTER ONLINE NEWSU CAREER CENTER

Our seminars cover a range of topics to meet a growing set of journalism needs, particularly in the area of multimedia. We invite you to join Poynter faculty and some of the industry’s most accomplished journalists for several days of intensive training.

We try to create a seminar group that reflects a rich mix of people and consider the factors of experience, race, gender, ethnicity, circulation and market size, and geography. Generally, our participants are full-time employees of a news organization or journalism educators.

For some programs, participants and visiting faculty stay in the same hotel. Lodging is included in tuition where indicated. Poynter offers a limited number of fellowships to those in need of financial assistance. We welcome journalists from around the world, although Poynter does not usually provide fellowships for international travel. Applicants are responsible for obtaining travel documents and visas.


How to Apply
To apply for a Poynter seminar, go to the Web address shown with the listing. Click on “Apply Now.”  Please note application deadlines. Check seminar descriptions for more information and any additional application materials required. When you apply online, print your completed form for your records before clicking “Submit.”

If you’re unable to apply online, you may download a PDF of the application form. Include the printed form with any additional application materials you send to Poynter.



Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if I'm eligible to apply?
A: Generally, our participants are full-time employees of a news organization or journalism educators. Freelancers, however, are welcome to apply. Check the "Who should attend?" section in each listing for additional information. If you're still not sure, call or e-mail the contact person shown with the seminar on Poynter Online.

Q: What kind of schedule should I expect?
A: Usually daily sessions begin promptly at 9 a.m. and last until at least 5 p.m., with some evening meetings.

Q: Do you give academic credit?
A: The Poynter Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education, but we are not a degree-granting institution. Universities have granted undergraduate or graduate credit for our programs. The Poynter staff can provide specific information and assistance, but in most cases, participants must make prior arrangements to receive credit from their college or university.

Q: What about applicants from outside the United States?
A: Due to current restrictions on student visas, we can be of very limited assistance in helping you obtain travel documents. When applying for a seminar at Poynter, please remember that:

• Early notification is not possible because faculty members choose participants from a full pool of applicants, and the selection is not made until 45 to 60 days before the start of the seminar.
• Participants are responsible for obtaining their own travel documents and visas and for making and financing their own travel arrangements.
• Normally, we do not provide fellowships for International travel. For information about travel requirements to the U.S., check the Web site for the U.S. Embassy in your country at http://usembassy.state.gov.

Grants & Donations
Generous financial contributions supplement tuition fees and the dividends we receive from the (St. Petersburg) Times Publishing Co. Together, they help us extend our programs for journalists and future journalists and the scholarships we provide, based upon need, in all areas of our training.

• Annie E. Casey Foundation: in support of seminars on covering children, and reporting on race and immigration
• Ford Foundation: in support of seminars on ethics, ethnic media and critical issues
• Gannett Foundation/Tampa Bay’s 10: in support of our High School Journalism Program
• Harnisch Family Foundation: in support of broadcast programs and awarded in the name of Poynter faculty member Al Tompkins
• John S. and James L. Knight Foundation: in support of our e-learning initiative, News University
• St. Petersburg Times Foundation: in support of our summer college fellowship program

IMPORTANT SEMINAR APPLICATION INFORMATION
At Poynter, we keep our classes small (around 16 participants) to encourage lively discussions and to allow faculty members to give focused attention to individual participants. Here are some helpful hints to assist you in applying for a Poynter seminar.

When applying: Complete ALL required questions on the application form. We encourage the application of women, minorities, persons attending a Poynter seminar for the first time, organizations nominating a staff member for the first time and individuals who have applied for previous seminars but were not accepted.  Generally, we accept only one participant from a newsroom (except for conferences and seminars designated for teams), however more than one candidate from an organization may apply. We're also sensitive to how many participants we accept from a single ownership group. We try to create a seminar group that reflects a rich mix of people, and we consider the factors of experience, race, gender, ethnicity, circulation/market size and geography.

Tuition. Tuition for most professional seminars in 2008 ranges from $795-$995, and sometimes includes hotel (see seminar description for specifics). Fees for short conferences and specific NewsU courses range from $195-$395. Tuition covers all materials and instruction and some meals. NOTE: Please do not send a check for tuition until you are notified of acceptance into the seminar for which you are applying.

Financial assistance. Poynter has a limited number of fellowships available for those in need of assistance. There are also a limited number of fellowships available for specific programs that are donated to the Institute by individuals and organizations. Applicants seeking financial assistance should attach a letter to their application stating the particular aid they are seeking (tuition waiver and/or help with travel costs within the United States), and explaining why their organization is unable to pay should they be selected.

Cancellations. A $100 cancellation fee is retained for cancellations within 14 days of the beginning of a seminar. Refunds will be made within 30 days.

Attire. Dress throughout the week is casual.

Travel and transportation. Most seminars are held at the Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. St. Petersburg is served by Tampa International Airport, located 25 miles from Poynter. Transportation from the airport to St. Petersburg is available by taxi (approximately $45) and airport shuttle ($25). Nearby hotels to the Institute are within walking distance and most can provide a shuttle to Poynter when needed, so it isn't necessary to rent a car.

Additional tips for applicants

• Application materials checklist: 1) application form (online or hardcopy); 2) current resume; 3) brief biography; 4) nominating letter; 5) seminar essay; if required in the seminar description, 6) samples of work; and, if needed, a statement requesting financial assistance.
  
• Polish up your resume. Be sure it is up-to-date and presents your experience and accomplishments in their best light.
  
• Introduce yourself. Write a brief professional biography of about 100 words in the third person for us to include in the seminar syllabus. This is not the same as (or in place of) your resume.
• The boss's letter counts. Your boss's recommendation letter is every bit as important as the other pieces of your application package. The letter should provide details about your strengths, your value to your newsroom and your commitment to journalism.
• The importance of the essay. Develop a terrific 250- to 500- word essay describing your passion and dedication to the craft. We also want to know about your daily duties, how this seminar is relevant to your job, your seminar goals and how you will apply your training when you get back to your newsroom.
  
• Don't procrastinate. Allow yourself sufficient time to develop a package of informative application materials, and be sure to complete ALL pertinent questions on the application form. Submit all the application materials at once and be sure everything is complete and to us via online, fax, mail or e-mail by the deadline date.
• And don't forget: Some seminars require you to include samples of your work. If so, take the time to put together examples of your best work that meet the requirements. Some samples need to be in a digital format.
  

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