The Dow Jones might be a long way from many college campuses, but the path to a successful journalism career is becoming clearer for 99 students thanks to the Dow Jones News Fund (DJNF). This summer, these aspiring journalists will be embarking on paid internships across 67 newsrooms throughout the United States, marking a significant step in their professional journeys. The News Fund is not only continuing its commitment to fostering talent in business and data reporting, digital media, and editing, but also breaking new ground with an innovative audience engagement training program.
This year marks the inaugural launch of the audience engagement training program, welcoming 12 students who will hone their skills at Temple University. In an era where understanding and connecting with audiences is paramount, this program is designed to equip interns with the essential tools for navigating the digital media landscape. Under the guidance of Sarah Landwehr, assistant professor at Temple, and Victoria St. Martin, adjunct instructor and reporter for Inside Climate News, the program will delve into critical areas such as analytics interpretation and strategy development, search engine optimization (SEO) best practices to ensure content finds its audience, graphic design for impactful social media visuals, effective photo selection and editing techniques, adherence to AP Style and sound news judgment, the creation of engaging newsletters and news curation strategies, and methods for discovering and utilizing user-generated content and trending topics on social media platforms. This comprehensive training ensures that these interns are not just journalists, but also audience development experts.
Reflecting the News Fund’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion, the Class of 2023 is composed of 64% students of color and 66% women, better mirroring the diverse communities they will be serving. International students represent 9% of the class, and 2% identify as nonbinary. The selected students hail from a wide array of institutions, including major public universities, prestigious Ivy League schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Hispanic-Serving Institutions, showcasing the program’s broad reach and commitment to inclusivity.
Shirley Carswell, executive director of the News Fund, emphasizes the program’s vital role in the industry, stating, “For more than 60 years, the News Fund has made it our mission to identify and nurture young journalists. Our placement of 99 students in newsrooms around the country this summer despite major industry layoffs signals that editors recognize the internship program’s importance as a valuable resource for emerging talent.” This underscores the continued relevance and value of the DJNF internships in a dynamic media environment.
The Business Reporting program remains a cornerstone of the News Fund, with 37 interns participating in two cohorts. These interns will immerse themselves in the world of financial journalism during a week-long intensive in New York City. Led by Paul Glader, professor and director of the McCandlish Phillips Journalism Institute at The King’s College, the program provides a deep dive into business reporting fundamentals and advanced reporting techniques. Garry D. Howard, director of corporate initiatives at American City Business Journals and a News Fund board member, co-directs the ACBJ program, bringing his experience as an alumnus of the Fund’s 1981 editing program.
In the realm of Digital Media, 21 interns will gain expertise in video production, photography, social media management, data visualization, and web design. This training, conducted at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University under the guidance of Michael Wong, recently retired director of career services, ensures interns are well-versed in the multimedia skills essential for contemporary journalism.
The Data Journalism program, in collaboration with Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) at the University of Missouri in Columbia, will train 14 interns in the crucial skills of data acquisition, analysis, information visualization, and computer-assisted reporting methods. Professors David Herzog and Liz Lucas, leaders at IRE, will guide these interns, equipping them to navigate the increasingly data-driven landscape of news.
Fifteen interns will participate in the Multiplatform Editing program at the University of Texas, Austin, led by Dr. Bradley Wilson of Midwestern State University. This program focuses on developing core editing competencies, including evaluating copy for accuracy, tone, and style, crafting compelling headlines, designing engaging pages, and ensuring the timely publication of high-quality content across various platforms.
Ed Trayes, a legendary figure in journalism training and long-time director of the Fund’s editing program at Temple University, will take on a new, overarching role this year. He will work across all five programs to foster and cultivate journalistic curiosity among the interns, drawing on his extensive experience to mentor the next generation of journalists.
This year, the News Fund welcomes new media partners such as Crain’s New York Business, the Daily Journal (Tupelo, Mississippi), Epicenter-NYC, NerdWallet, and TAPinto Newark, alongside returning partners. Notably, several news organizations, including American City Business Journals, Arizent, Bay City News Foundation, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, will host four or more interns, demonstrating their strong commitment to the program. The News Fund is also continuing its partnership with the Emma Bowen Foundation, further expanding opportunities for diverse talent in journalism.
The Dow Jones News Fund’s commitment to nurturing young talent is evident in the breadth and depth of its programs. As these 99 interns embark on their summer placements, they carry with them the skills and training to make a meaningful impact in newsrooms across the nation, shaping the future of journalism and ensuring that the vital role of news continues to thrive.
