Carleton University’s journalism program is once again creating an exceptional opportunity during the summer of 2021 for a number of its Master of Journalism and senior Bachelor of Journalism students to gain some income and valuable work experience. A similar initiative was undertaken last summer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognizing that the public health crisis has forced the cancellation of many planned newsroom internships and other placements — along with many summer jobs — the journalism program has secured funding for awards that will support the part-time employment of students who will produce content for the school’s flagship digital publication, Capital Current, including its social media streams. The journalism program is using some of its own resources to fund the project but has also received generous support from the Faculty of Graduate and Postgraduate Affairs, the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Faculty of Public Affairs and the federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs program.
From the beginning of June to the end of August 2021 — while working remotely and in full compliance with the physical-distancing and stay-at-home directives of public health officials in Ottawa and across Canada — successful applicants will employ a range of digital reporting tools to produce stories documenting the country’s continuing public health crisis and to cover a wide range of other news as it unfolds.
These positions are open to applicants who, as of Winter term 2021, were enrolled in the MJ program or in the fourth year of the BJ program. It is understood that students may be sheltering-in-place in towns and cities across the country. For this reason, Capital Current is continuing its expanded geographical coverage beyond its traditional Ottawa-area focus to include stories from elsewhere in Canada or beyond.
One or two of the available positions may be designated for editing and overseeing social engagement activity during a portion of the summer months.
Successful applicants will receive an award of approximately $3,000 over the three-month duration of the Summer 2021 Journalism Experience. The amount is roughly equivalent to a part-time working arrangement of 15 hours per week at $15/hour for 13 weeks, though some degree of flexibility in scheduling could be considered. Depending on the funding source for specific positions, other working arrangements may apply.
Student reporters would be working with a professional editor in the assigning and publishing of stories and other content. Faculty from the School of Journalism and Communication will provide publisher oversight of Capital Current’s virtual newsroom over the course of the summer.
Anyone interested in applying for one of these positions should send a brief cover letter and resume to randy.boswell@carleton.ca by May 10, 2021 with the subject line: ‘CapCurrent Application’. Anyone with questions should contact Prof. Randy Boswell (randy.boswell@carleton.ca).
Thursday, April 29, 2021 in Journalism News, News
Share: Twitter, Facebook
