The editorial fellowship is a demanding, research-intensive foray into investigative journalism. While fellows spend a large portion of their time fact-checking, the fellowship also offers extensive experience in writing and reporting stories, from breaking news to long enterprise pieces. Fellows work closely with reporters and editors on fact-checking, research, and reporting. You’ll receive training in every aspect of the editorial process, from research tools and methods to media law, and have opportunities to learn magazine pitching, explore feature writing, and hone your reporting, writing, and investigative skills. You’ll attend regular skill-building sessions covering topics that span the operations of a media organization.
Editorial fellows work closely on our award-winning bimonthly print magazine. By fact-checking our investigations, columns, and other reported pieces, fellows reverse-engineer a reporter’s work and learn what it takes to report, organize, and write a sophisticated magazine story. Fellows are also expected and encouraged to report on subjects including national and regional politics, climate change, the justice system, reproductive rights, and culture.
Fellows may also become involved in various digital projects—working on our newsletters, helping with web production, and aiding our Climate Desk partnership—depending on interest and need.
We’re looking for candidates with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Some of our current fellows have had previous journalism jobs, while others are working in a newsroom for the first time. Candidates should be curious, driven, hardworking, and excited about our mission to inspire change through hard-hitting reporting. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
Mother Jones has offices in San Francisco, Washington, DC, and New York City. Most editorial staff are currently working remotely. The 2023-2024 fellowship cycle will be remote, but fellows living near one of our bureaus would be welcome to come into the office if they choose. Fellows are required to be able to work in the US.