The Verite News Fellowship is designed for early-career journalists who want to spend 12 months learning from a newsroom of passionate, dedicated journalists. Fellows join our news team, honing their reporting and digital storytelling skills as they focus on developing in-depth journalism that serves communities across the New Orleans area. They produce substantive work that is distributed to our audience, and by the end of the fellowship are prepared for the next phase of their journalism careers. 

Our fellows have covered local music and culture events; written nuanced and timely pieces on the environment and reproductive health; and reported stories on topics of everyday importance to New Orleanians, focusing on institutions such as schools and libraries. Some of their work has been picked up and republished by other news outlets, reaching a much wider audience across the state and region. 

This position reports to Verite’s fellowship editor/administrator.

Our fellows will have the opportunity to: 

  • Work with a newsroom of talented and experienced reporters and award-winning editors who will provide them with professional feedback.
  • Tackle unique projects that will challenge and stretch their skillset.
  • Learn how to do original reporting and build sources.
  • Train on modern reporting tools and techniques.
  • Receive a one-year membership in a national journalism association such as NABJ, NAHJ or NLGJA.

We expect our fellows to: 

  • Develop their own story ideas, along with collaborating with a team of journalists who are focused on social inequities and gender and racial equality in our area.
  • Build trust with sources and readers.
  • Work with our audience team and data and visual journalists to create compelling story presentations. 

Qualified candidates should have: 

  • A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field.
  • The ability to work quickly, but with accuracy and good news judgment.
  • Ability to use social media for research and to engage readers. 
  • Digital storytelling skills and an open mind to trying new approaches. 

What you’ll get: 

  • Competitive salary with benefits. 
  • Use of appropriate technology and equipment. 

How to Apply: 

As an equal opportunity employer, we’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom that represents the people and communities we serve. We are aware that some otherwise qualified candidates may not meet all the criteria listed above. We encourage those candidates to apply. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this position, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people who are differently abled.

Applications for the June 2024-2025 cycle are now open. To apply, please use this form. The priority deadline is January 31, 2024. Applications submitted after this deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please contact Dylan Penny at [email protected] with any questions.