Journalism Apprentice - Pittsburgh Media Partnership Newsroom

Pointpark; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Point Park University in Downtown Pittsburgh seeks a Journalism Apprentice for the Pittsburgh Media Partnership Newsroom. This on-site role, lasting 12–24 months, supports recent graduates in developing a journalism career with daily reporting, source-building and deadline-driven work.

The apprentice will pitch stories, produce clear copy and visuals, and may travel across Southwestern Pennsylvania. Strong multimedia skills and recommendations are essential for this developmental program.

Qualifications

• Recent college graduate with demonstrated reporting ability.
• Experience developing stories beyond events and meetings.
• Ability to generate story ideas and work under deadlines.
• Multimedia experience including video and photography.
• Willingness to work outside regular hours and pass a background check.

Responsibilities

• Develop and generate thoughtful, accurate daily stories tied to the news cycle.
• Build a source network within a defined beat.
• Pitch timely stories to the editor.
• Produce crisp, engaging copy, visuals and audio per newsroom standards.
• Travel throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania for assignments as needed.
• Mentor student journalists and support team reporting.

Skills

News reporting

Source development

Deadline-driven

Multimedia production

Video editing

Job description

POSITION: Journalism Apprentice - Pittsburgh Media Partnership Newsroom

DEPARTMENT: Center for Media Innovation

REPORTS TO: Director, Pittsburgh Media Partnership & Assistant Director, Center for Media Innovation

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

A journalist who has a demonstrated passion for daily reporting and local news, who can develop sources, recognize news as it happens, meet deadlines, and adeptly navigate challenges to help deliver the news daily with an emphasis on explaining the impact of issues and decisions for residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania. This job is on site in Downtown Pittsburgh.

This is a 12- to 24-month role, intended to support recent graduates in developing a journalism career.

QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Recent college graduate whose experience should demonstrate an ability to be employed as a reporter in newsroom, preferably covering government, education, or a combination.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and develop stories that do not involve covering events and meetings
• An ideas person with the ability to "think outside the box".
• A minimum of five written clips published by a news outlet and professional experience, including student media, demonstrating a depth and range of reporting
• Demonstrated self-starter who recognizes news as it happens and can develop story ideas
• Ability to quickly locate primary sources to report out stories on deadline
• Experience cultivating sources and developing relationships in a new beat area
• Creativity and sound judgement
• Willingness to work outside of regular business hours
• Multimedia experience creating videos and photographs
• Knowledge of southwestern Pennsylvania's political, social, and economic landscape preferred
• Two or more strong recommendations supporting the applicant
• Ability to pass a criminal background check for working with and alongside minors.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop and generate thoughtful, accurate, and timely stories tied to the news cycle daily
2. Develop a rich source network within a defined beat.
3. Pitch creative, timely stories to editor.
4. Produce crisp, engaging error-free copy, visuals and audio that meets the newsroom's standards and guidelines
5. Ability and willingness to travel throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania for assignments, as needed
6. Team-minded approach to reporting that encourages and supports others, including mentoring student journalists