Until a couple years ago, I had never even heard of a journalism fellowship. I had seen some flyers at previous conventions but never thought to find out more information as I was so focused on attending workshops, networking, and finding a job.  On a whim and at the advice of my friend, Brian, I sat in on the “Retool, Rethink, & Recharge with a Journalism Fellowship” panel.

I was fascinated by what I learned and soon realized that a journalism fellowship offers the freedom to work on your own journalism project and receive media training, the chance to meet people from all over the world, and the opportunity to attend classes in any subject of your choosing. Other perks include receiving a generous stipend (some are more than what you would make in a full-time position) and full-assistance with housing and insurance costs. The best part is that you essentially get paid to pursue your dreams and then use the training to find a kick-ass job.

Some fellowships to check out include the Nieman Fellowship program at Harvard University and the Knight-Wallace Fellows program at the University of Michigan.

— Renee Eng, AAJA-LA Member

@Renee_Eng