Grant Funded Education Reporter Fellowship (UNION)

USA TODAY Co. • Detroit, MI

10d

About The Position

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at USA TODAY Co., you should be completing an application on USA TODAY Co. Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. If you are a California resident, you acknowledge that by applying for a job with us, this California Job Applicant Privacy Notice will apply to our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information. To connect with us, visit www.usatodayco.com
The Detroit Free Press seeks an enterprising reporter to cover education across Michigan through a one-year grant-funded fellowship as part of a significant expansion of education reporting across metro Detroit and the state.
This journalist will spotlight the challenges of students across Michigan, including in rural, urban and suburban communities, focusing on the most vulnerable populations. This journalist will interpret data and connect it with what's happening in the classroom.
With another reporter and editor, this team will use every medium and platform — video, social, articles, in-person engagements and visuals — to help parents, lawmakers and community leaders understand the challenges in need of solutions at a time when Michigan children lag other states in reading, math, attendance and postsecondary education attainment.
They’ll help readers understand the state of education across Michigan, with an emphasis on the intersection of education and politics. This reporter would closely watch policy and funding shifts at the state level, as a governor and legislature comes into power at the state capitol.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2-5 years of newsroom experience.
• Strong reporting, writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Experience creating digital-first content, including video and social media storytelling.
• Comfortable on camera explaining issues, conducting interviews and seeking reader input.
• Strong copy editing and self-editing skills
• Comfortable using social media to enhance reporting and promote your work
• Strong understanding of audience analytics, SEO and engagement strategies
• Ability to work independently, build trust with stakeholders and manage multiple deadlines
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law

Responsibilities

• Spotlight the challenges of students across Michigan, including in rural, urban and suburban communities, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.
• Interpret data and connect it with what's happening in the classroom.
• Use every medium and platform — video, social, articles, in-person engagements and visuals — to help parents, lawmakers and community leaders understand the challenges in need of solutions.
• Help readers understand the state of education across Michigan, with an emphasis on the intersection of education and politics.
• Closely watch policy and funding shifts at the state level, as a governor and legislature comes into power at the state capitol.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree