Frequently Asked Questions
For Aspiring Fellows and Interns
Q: Who picks the fellows and interns?
A: The selection committee includes faculty from UNM, NMSU and ENMU, along with representatives of of local journalism organizations. The committee uses an assessment rubric to evaluate candidates. A consensus process produces the final matches (which may involve some consultation with newsroom mentors, university references and the student applicants).
Q: Do I need a letter of recommendation?
A: Yes, ideally from a journalism instructor who knows you and your work, but the letter could also come from an editor or supervisor.
Q: What would my hours be like as a fellow (or intern)?
A: Fellows are expected to work a 40-hour week, with at least one week of vacation. Interns work an average of 30 hours per week—but we're flexible! Let us know in the application if you can work more or fewer hours this summer. Small adjustments to the hours and term of the fellowship may be possible if all parties agree.
Q: Who am I working for and how will I be paid?
A: You will be an employee of the news organization, not UNM. Your supervisor has the same authority over you as they do a regular employee, and you may be fired for cause, just like a regular employee. Your news organization will deduct money for taxes and benefits, and if you elect them, those costs may be deducted from your check.
Q: Can I get school credit for the fellowship or internship?
A: Yes! Please check the requirements of your program and university. The fellowship or internship may require you to work more hours than you'll need for credit but all hours are paid.
Q: What is the boot camp?
A: Before fellows and interns officially start work, UNM C&J offers a mandatory (and paid) weeklong training customized to meet the needs of the specific newsrooms, fellows and interns. Topics include specialized reporting skills, media law, ethics, workplace norms and expectations. Supervisors are asked to attend an orientation session and closing session of the training week.
Q: What is the fellowship log?
A: Once you start work we ask that you keep track of your daily duties. You'll use the Fellowship Work Log to note your hours, goals, projects you're working on and progress you've made. If you like it can function as a kind of journal of your fellowship.
Q: If I want to stay in my job after the fellowship is that possible?
A: Yes, it is possible! But that's up to you and your supervisor. Many fellows are offered a full-time job at the end of the program. If you are invited to stay you'll have to renegotiate your duties, title and salary, which may be different from what you experienced during the program.
For Newsrooms
Q: Is my organization a good fit for this program?
A: If you think you can offer high-quality mentoring , editing and coaching to a talented young journalist then you might be a good fit.
Q: What can a fellow offer my newsroom?
A: That depends! Imagine all the things you could do with an extra pair of boots on the ground 40 hours a week. You might expand coverage of a hot topic, add a new beat, assign a multimedia project or finally dig into that investigative project you've been wanting to do.
Q: How does the money work?
A: The money comes from a grant the New Mexico Local News Fund gave the UNM C&J Department. For the fellowship, UNM will give each organization $36,000 (in installments) to pay the fellow about $17 per hour for one year. If you would like to use your own budget to pay your fellow more, then great! For the internship, UNM will give you a maximum of $3,600 to pay the intern $15 per hour. Those amounts include a stipend for the bootcamp. You pay the fellow or intern W-2 wages like a regular employee.
Q: Is that gross salary?
A: Yes, that's gross, but we ask that you do not deduct your portion of the payroll taxes from the grant amount.
Q: Who picks the newsrooms?
A: A selection board including media professionals and educators will select the recipients. One of the most important factors is the quality of mentoring that you're able to provide.