Reporter, Michelle Lang Fellowship
About The Position
The Michelle Lang Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for a promising young journalist to grow their skills in the profession and bolster their experience with a full year working with some of Canada’s busiest newsrooms. This year’s successful applicant will work with a national editor and regional reporters to produce original and authoritative content focused on the status of health care in Canada. Alongside that work, the fellow will also be expected to focus on a specified topic within the health care sphere that would address the goals Michelle Lang aspired to in her daily journalism: telling stories that have gone unreported or unnoticed. Their work over the year-long duration of the fellowship can draw on the widest range of journalistic tools available, from quick turnaround reporting to investigations, data projects to video storytelling. Creativity in storytelling and a dogged approach to covering health throughout the year are key. They will work with some of the best editors in the country and their reporting will be delivered to the biggest audience through the Postmedia network. The fellowship was established in honour of Michelle Lang, a Calgary Herald reporter who was killed by a homemade bomb on Dec. 30, 2009, on the outskirts of Kandahar, Afghanistan, along with four Canadian soldiers. Michelle was covering the Canadian military’s operations in Afghanistan. She was the Herald’s terrific young health reporter, and she had won a National Newspaper Award that spring. The Michelle Lang Fellowship is a salaried fellowship, with salary to be paid at the starter reporter rate. Beginning in September, the fellow will work with the national health team. Fellows will have the opportunity to report on issues of regional, national and international scope, collaborate with and learn from senior writers and reporters, as well as explore opportunities in digital journalism. At the conclusion of their one-year fellowship, the fellow will have numerous clippings for their portfolio, a better understanding of world issues, a network of sources and contacts in media across Canada and the confidence needed to launch a successful career in journalism. Funding for the Michelle Lang Fellowship will be provided by the Calgary Herald and Postmedia Network Inc., as well as the Michelle Lang Trust.
Requirements
- A commitment to journalism and a love of storytelling in all its forms
- Strong writing and communication skills
- A natural curiosity and a desire to effect change through journalism
- An ability to work well with colleagues
- Basic reporting skills
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
- Legally eligible to work in Canada.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingualism, in French or other languages, is considered an asset
- Previous daily newspaper experience is an asset but is not mandatory
- Bachelor of Arts in English (fellowship is not limited to students studying journalism)
Responsibilities
- Produce original and authoritative content focused on the status of health care in Canada.
- Focus on a specified topic within the health care sphere that would address the goals Michelle Lang aspired to in her daily journalism: telling stories that have gone unreported or unnoticed.
- Utilize a wide range of journalistic tools, from quick turnaround reporting to investigations, data projects to video storytelling.
- Report on issues of regional, national and international scope.
- Collaborate with and learn from senior writers and reporters.
- Explore opportunities in digital journalism.
Benefits
- Salaried fellowship
- Starter reporter rate salary
- Opportunity to report on issues of regional, national and international scope
- Opportunity to collaborate with and learn from senior writers and reporters
- Opportunities in digital journalism
- Numerous clippings for portfolio upon completion
- Better understanding of world issues
- Network of sources and contacts in media across Canada
- Confidence needed to launch a successful career in journalism
- Accommodations for people with disabilities in the hiring process
- Commitment to employment equity and an inclusive barrier-free selection process and work environment
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
