Jan 3, 2011 in INTERNSHIPS
Editorial Intern with Patch.com (Summer 2011)
contact MICHELE RABIN
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, keep reading…
We’re Patch.com, a start-up that’s radically reinventing community journalism. We launched in February 2009 and we now operate hundreds of local news sites in towns with populations under 70,000, and we continue to expand! Patch is founded on two core principles: that news matters in towns across the country and that we can create a successful business model to sustain it. Even as many newsrooms have been downsized or shut down, Patch is investing millions to create a nationwide network of news sites using our dynamic platform to produce meaningful daily and enterprise journalism and pioneer new forms of storytelling to serve communities. We have won acclaim in the industry and coverage in The New York Times, Forbes Magazine, Bloomberg, NPR's "Talk of the Nation," "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer," and numerous industry blogs and Web sites. We've recently also announced Patch.org, a new initiative that will allow us to collaborate with local foundations and journalism schools to cover under-served communities.
Patch.com is looking for smart, innovative journalists to join our team as editorial interns this summer. We see this as nothing less than the future of online journalism. Our internships provide a great mix of hands-on work experience, professional development opportunities and social networking. Whether you’re reporting on a city council meeting, attending a Patch community event or brainstorming with the editorial team about back-to-school coverage, your contributions matter.
And did we mention fun?
Patchers know how to have a good time, from our monthly Fun club activities (activities range from paddle boarding lessons to cooking classes and bowling nights) to the Patch Give5 program that gives our employees paid time off to do volunteer work in their Patch community. Patch is all about serving communities, and this is one of the most important things we do.
Visit patch.com to learn more about our mission and to visit our news sites.
Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
• Work with our Local Editor to help run a community site – pitching stories, reporting, writing, taking pictures and video and connecting with the community to attract user-generated content
• Provide an invaluable source of trusted news and information that will improve people’s lives
• Help drive your site to become a landmark in the community
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in a region to produce impactful breaking news, features and enterprise journalism and storytelling, and create new ways to connect with and engage communities
Requirements:
We're looking for smart, enthusiastic students with a passion for local journalism. You should be a self-starter, able to learn quickly and work independently. That means free spirits and straight shooters. Creatives and critics. Nerds with nerve. People who love the Internet, but can see its cracks…and its future, too. We’d also like to see:
• Demonstrated reporting experience, either with campus media, or through an internship or freelance opportunity.
• “Bull-doggish” reporting instincts and willingness to ask tough questions of important people
• A firm grasp of AP style
• Solid news judgment
• Adept with a variety of social media tools
• Strong organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills
Desired skills:
• Passionate about the web, social networking, and of course community journalism
• Be able to quickly grasp the interests, rhythms and identity of a community
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment and has an entrepreneurial spirit and drive
• Experience editing video, producing a Web site and/or excellent photography skills
Unique requirements:
• Must be a flexible, independent, self-starter – you’ll work from home, the coffee shop, your car, the high school football game
• Must own, or have access to a car
• Ability and willingness to work various hours outside of the typical M-F and 9-5, including evenings and weekends. This is a 40 hour a week position.
Education:
• Candidates must be a junior, senior or graduate student or a recent graduate (within the last six months)
• Journalism majors encouraged, but open to all students who have journalism experience
We will be hiring interns for our sites in locations across the U.S. (see Patch.com for a full listing of our news sites) and assignments will be made when an offer is extended. Please submit an application for the regions for which you would like to be considered and indicate on your application the order of your preferences and/or a specific site assignment request.)
Submit an application online at patch.com/jobs. Application deadline is Feb. 1.
