Posted On: September 18, 2017

Fellowship

Media Organization: AlterNet

Company Description

AlterNet, a project of the Independent Media Institute, is a high-trafficking news and information website, in existence since 1997. Our aim is to produce and gather the best journalism, investigations, and opinion writing on a wide range of topics and deliver it to broad audiences by publishing more than 200 articles a week. AlterNet has averaged more than 6 million unique visitors per month, putting it among the top 500 websites in America. Our Facebook (950,000 followers) and Twitter (130,000 followers) add a robust social media presence to AlterNet’s email marketing reach of more than 300,000 people.

AlterNet is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity.

Job Description

AlterNet, a leader of independent news and information on a wide range of progressive topics, is now accepting applications for writing fellows. Our mission is to help college and university graduates early in their careers gain entry-level skills and experience in a fast-paced digital news environment, with interest in text-based (with the potential of some video-based) content.

Requirements: Qualified candidates must have:
• A background in newswriting/nonfiction essay writing and/or video creation and editing
• A burning interest in social justice & progressive issues that AlterNet covers: race, sexuality and gender, the environment, civil liberties, economic and world affairs

Roles: Based on your interest, and our needs, your fellowship will combine a mix of these activities:
• Original writing and research
• Production work, consisting of CMS formatting, image editing, and securing rights to republish content from other publishers
• Video editing
• Social media production
• General support of AlterNet editors’ day-to-day editorial work
• Administrative support for ongoing editorial and development projects

Deadlines and Duration of Program for Fall 2017
Application deadline: Oct. 6, 2017

AlterNet fellowships may be full-time or part-time, depending on your stated interest and our need—full-time or at least 24 hours (3 full 8-hour days) a week is preferable.

AlterNet fellowships last a minimum of 11 weeks and are based in our New York City office. Fellowships are offered on a rolling basis—please specify in your application when you would like to participate (i.e., if October 2–December 15 aren’t feasible, the dates you can begin and end an 11-week period, and if you wish to state a preference for full-time or part-time).

Compensation and Credit: AlterNet will assist fellows in arranging for academic or work-study credit, as needed. We offer a stipend of $400/week for full-time fellows (or $12/hour for part-time fellows).

To Apply

Applicants must submit the following:
• A cover letter that explains why you think AlterNet would be a good fit for your early professional development, and an explanation of your interest in independent and progressive media.
• AlterNet News Compatibility Test: Please write two 300-word write-ups, each of a different news story you think would work for AlterNet, based on looking at our homepage at that time that you start the assignment (don’t spend too long on either one). Also include a sentence or two about why you picked each story for AlterNet. Make sure to include the date and hour (in Eastern Standard Time) you began this assignment (can be different times for each story or the same if you do both quickly) so we can accurately assess your understanding of stale and fresh news stories.
• A letter of recommendation with contact information (optional; you can send separately, if we request it, at a later date than the rest of your application, if you move to the next stage of interviews).
Submit your application through email to internship@alternet.org.