Opening Doors: Your Path to a Career in Public Media

Ready to launch your journalism career? Opening Doors is your chance to gain valuable skills and experience in public media.

What you'll gain:

If you're selected for the program, you can expect:

• Intensive Leadership Training:
  • Attend the full 5-day PMJA National Conference in Kansas City!
  • Participate in workshops on critical thinking, communication skills, and how to navigate the exciting world of public media.
  • Learn from experienced public media professionals and build valuable connections.
  • Travel and hotel expenses for the conference are covered.
• Mentorship Magic:
  • Get paired with an experienced public media professional specializing in science, health, and economics reporting.
  • Receive personalized guidance, support, and insider tips throughout your journey.
• A Real-World Internship:
  • Land a paid 16-week internship at a public radio station where you'll gain hands-on experience covering important local stories on science, health, and the economy.
  • PMJA will provide subsidies to stations and offer ongoing support to ensure you have a successful internship experience.
  • Dates and locations to be determined for 2025/2026 academic year.

How do you know you're eligible?

• You're a BIPOC journalism student (junior or senior).
• You're excited about the possibility of a career in public media.
• You're passionate about science, health, and economics reporting.

What do you need to apply?

• Create a News Spot! Just upload a recorded spot – no longer than 60 seconds – that answers the question, 'Why do you want to be a journalist in public media, and how will Opening Doors help you achieve your goals, especially in covering science, health, and/or economics locally?'
• Tell Us Your Story: Well ask about your details including your name, age, and a little about your background.
• Academic Info: Share your current year in school, major, GPA, and transcripts.
• Get Letters of Support: Request letters of recommendation from a professor and a professional who knows your work.
• Share Your Resume: Include your academic and professional experience, including any relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, and work history.
• Showcase Your Work (Optional): Submit a portfolio of your best work, including any additional writing samples, multimedia projects, or other creative work.

All applications must be submitted at https://www.pmja.org/opening-doors-student-application. 

Note that internship locations have not been determined at this time.