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Journalism Residency

Journalism Residency

You have the opportunity to have a bright, talented undergraduate Medill student work at your organization and help that student gain real-world experience in return.

During our Journalism Residency program, students work full-time with veteran professionals in real-world environments for one quarter (11 weeks). The goal is for students to gain hands-on experiences that help them develop new skills, test existing skills, work under deadline pressure, hone their news judgment, sharpen fact-checking and research skills, explore new career paths and build confidence in their capabilities.

Tyler Pager holding up the front page of The Boston Globe — Tyler Pager (BSJ17) completed his Journalism Residency at the Boston Globe. A highlight of his residency was a front-page story exploring the effects of tighter immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

Journalism Residency categories

Broadcast/Videography: Students gain experience writing, shooting and editing stories at TV stations
Magazine: Students enhance their understanding of the intricacies of magazine production
Marketing Communications: Students participate in persuasive writing and interactive communication
Newspaper/Online: Students conduct hands-on reporting, copy editing or web production

JR begins with an extensive application and placement process during which we assess students' skills, capabilities, previous experience and academic achievements. Our goal is to match JR applicants with employers in order to benefit both parties. Each Journalism Residency site chooses whether to pay an hourly wage directly to the JR student OR to provide a $1,250 grant. We then use these funds as stipends for students to help defray travel and housing expenses.

How employers benefit: JR is no ordinary internship. Employers often view the experience as a way to recruit future employees. It works in your favor because Medill students are detail-oriented, creative, motivated and hard-working. They bring great ideas, work and value to your company. Our past employers can attest to the success of the program.
Site supervisor’s role: You will assign each student a site supervisor. We ask our site supervisors to consider themselves involved in a teaching partnership with Medill, and we count on them not only to supervise, but also to coach, mentor and evaluate our students. We ask our site supervisors to provide everything from preparation tips and guidelines on how to pitch a story idea to career advice.

The "teaching" commitment is a key responsibility of the site supervisors. It is imperative that they provide substantive learning opportunities for students through the tasks and responsibilities assigned. While we understand that students must take initiative in seeking opportunities for growth, site supervisors also must take time to give feedback and mentor the students.

Finally, site supervisors are asked to fill out mid-term and final evaluations, gauging students' progress and accomplishments. Site supervisors also meet with Medill faculty advisers, either in person or by phone, midway through the internship. The student will help arrange a mutually agreeable time for these conferences.

Questions

To learn more or to sign up to participate, please contact Tracy Van Moorlhelm.