This is precisely why I wanted to attend the AAJA convention: to get exposed to ideas I would never have considered before - like a 10-month fellowship that could help me recharge my batteries and create a new vision pf myself as a journalist.

Phuong Ly, a freelancer, won a fellowship to Stanford which led her to found a non-profit that is getting the attention of major foundations. She says her year of study changed her. Callie Crossley, a Nieman Fellow from Harvard, says she went from being a local TV reporter to an Oscar-nominated documentary maker only because the fellowship opened her eyes to possibilties of what she could create. James Thomas of Detroit Free Press even created an IPad app during his fellowship.

All three of the journalism fellows stressed writing with self-knowing, honesty and passion when it came to the application process. Start early. Get recommendation letters from someone who knows you well and will be your champion. And proof-read and copy edit over and over again.

These yearlong fellowships come with a living-wage stipend, health benefits and study at top universities. Open to all working journalists - freelancers are encouraged to apply -and seem like a great opportunity to advance your passions while contributing to the advancement of the field. 

— Susan Oh