JHM Journalism Foundation
JHM Journalism Awards » Mentorship Program
JHM Mentorship Program
The JHM Mentorship program aims to connect ambitious student journalists with media professionals. The primary goal of the program is to help student journalists by providing them with a professional contact to talk to about improving their skill set, tips and tricks of the trade, professional journalism, and the job market.
Mentors and students will be matched by their location, providing students with the opportunity to meet with their mentors in person several times over the course of a year in addition to more regular email and phone contact.
The number of student / mentor pairs chosen will depend on the quality of applicants and ability of JHM to effectively pair mentors with students. If an especially keen student does not match a mentor already signed up with the program, the JHM coordinator will do their best to find a good match.
Commitment requirement: time and energy
There will be four mentorship sessions throughout the year, consisting of three arranged meetings each. Following this, students and mentors may continue to meet at their own discretion, or sign up for additional sessions. The content of these meetings will include:
- Look over writing, photography, and/or design work produced by the student.
- Go over resumes, cover letters, and portfolios (writing and design) and offer advice.
- Discuss challenges the student has met in journalism (eg. while trying to get interviews, conduct investigative work for stories, and find creative ideas for design.
- Discuss the long-term goals of the student and offer advice and suggestions on ways in which the student can achieve that. Subjects to discuss could include whether or not to go to j-school or to go into another masters program, on job possibilities, how to approach interviews for jobs, developing portfolios, and obtaining freelance work.
Session Dates
- Oct. 1 - Nov. 30 (deadline to apply is Sept. 30)
- Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 (deadline to apply is Nov. 30)
- Feb. 1 - March 31 (deadline to apply is Jan. 31)
- April 1 - May 31 (deadline to apply is March 31)
Student Requirements
- An honest interest in a future career in the journalistic world.
- Eagerness.
- A willingness to commit to at least three meetings with your mentor.
- The ambition and organization to have projects (eg: cover letter, resume, portfolio) ready in time for meetings.
- An understanding that you will NOT, under any circumstances, be asking or harassing your mentor for a job.
Mentor Requirements
- At least three years experience with a professional media organization.
- A willingness to donate a few hours over the course of a year to help hone the skills of one enthusiastic young journalist.
Apply
To apply to the mentorship program as a student, click here.
To apply to the mentorship program as a mentor, click here.
