Kroc Fellow

Job Description

OVERVIEW

Across our organization, we're building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success.

The NPR Kroc Fellowship is a year-long program designed to identify and develop the next generation of extraordinary public media journalists. It was established in 2003 through a bequest to NPR from Joan Kroc, noted philanthropist and widow of McDonald's Corporation founder, Ray A. Kroc.

Three fellows are selected each year and receive hands-on training in audio and digital journalism, including writing, reporting, producing and editing. Applicants must be recent graduates but previous journalism experience is not required. Now in its 17th year, the program has produced nearly 50 fellows, many of whom, continue to work at NPR and Member stations across the country.

More information can be found here.

Qualifications:

Education: College degree received between January 1 of the current year and August 31 of the next year.

REQUIRED SKILLS
• Excellent writing skills
• Insatiable curiosity
• Strong interest in current events
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to collaborate with members of a cooperative team

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications are accepted between August 31, 2022 and November 15, 2022 at Midnight ET. After the hiring team reviews the applications, finalists are selected for a round of virtual interviews in late January. Selections are made shortly thereafter.

Each completed application MUST include all of the following in ONE document and in this order:
• Cover letter, (addressed to the Kroc Fellowship Committee), explaining why you think you should be selected for this Fellowship
• Answers to the following questions: 1.) What do you want to do in journalism? 2.) Tell us about a news story you've been following. Why has it held your interest? 3.) Tell us about a piece of journalism you've enjoyed. What did you like about it?
• Sample work reflecting remarkable initiative or accomplishment. This might be in the form of a writing sample (of 1000 words or less, please), a link to an excerpt (five minutes or so) from an audio story, video production or a musical composition, etc. or some other piece of creative work
• Two References – please include the names and contact information of two references and see additional instructions for you to share with your references below
• Resume
• Academic transcript(s) (unofficial transcripts will be accepted)

Additional Instructions for References

Reference letters must be e-mailed to kroc@npr.org as a WORD or PDF file with applicant's LAST NAME, FIRST NAME – KROC FELLOW APPLICANT in the subject line by Midnight ET on November 15, 2022.
*IMPORTANT NOTE – questions can be directed to kroc@npr.org but please make sure that you've read all of the information on the Kroc Fellowship page and FAQ before e-mailing us.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Kroc Fellows are expected to come to work every day with a hunger to learn and an ambition to pitch, report, edit and produce remarkable original stories for multiple platforms. Over the course of a year, the three Kroc Fellows get rigorous, hands-on training in every aspect of public radio journalism, both on-air and online, including writing, reporting, producing and editing.

Throughout the experience Kroc Fellows can expect to:
• Develop audio production and writing skills, by working on an NPR program or podcast. Past fellows have worked at Weekend Edition, Goats and Soda and Alt.Latino.
• Become better reporters, writers and storytellers, by working under the guidance of skilled editors, producers and the NPR Training team.
• Gain first-hand broadcast journalism experience, by working at an NPR Member station.

Want more NPR? Explore the stories behind the stories on our NPR Extra blog. Get social with NPR Extra on Facebook and following @NPRExtra and #NPRLife on Twitter and Instagram. Find more career opportunities at NPR.org/careers and on Twitter at @NPRJobs.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rzjkmn-3-144-244-44-42 in your application.