Discovering Our Journalism: Empowering First-Gen Undergraduates and Early-Career Science Writers Through Mentorship

**** APPLICATION DEADLINE: TUESDAY, DEC. 17, 2024 ****

Are you a first-generation junior or senior college student who is passionate about science?

Do you want to help others better understand issues around science that are important to you and to society?

Are you interested in learning more about how science journalists tell stories about science that affects the communities they cover?

Apply for our paid, 5-week virtual mentorship!  If selected, you will be paired with a mentor (see website for mentor profiles) to develop one piece of science journalism. You will work with a mentor who is an early-career professional in science communications and also first-gen, constructing a learning experience that we hope will be meaningful to you both.

This mentorship program is an opportunity to reflect on the people, practices and experiences that have shaped your education and career so far. You will also gain valuable insight from several working science journalists/science communicators who will share their past experiences as first-generation college students and how they have navigated their education and careers.

Although we all have that voice in our head saying we’re not capable of doing something, try to put that voice away for now and apply! You will learn more about your interests, concerns and strengths–information that will undoubtedly help in whatever path you choose next!

Selected mentees will receive a $500 honorarium for participation in the 5-week program.

Program Dates

Wednesday, January 8 to Friday, February 12, 2025

Eligibility requirements

You must be:

• the first in your immediate family pursuing a college degree.
• a junior or senior college student with an interest in science.
• interested in helping others learn more about science’s impact in communities.

Benefits

• Explore your interests in science more deeply.
• Gain insight into reporting and writing about science as a novice journalist.
• Learn from professional journalists and science writers.
• Reflect on the mindset and skills behind effective journalism.
• Learn more about mentorship.

Expectations

• Bring an open mind to learning about new practices and ideas for communicating science.
• Exhibit a positive attitude to meeting new people and learning more deeply about sometimes complex scientific issues and concepts.
• Adhere to time commitments and agreed-on meeting times between you and your mentor.

Program Organizers

• Shaun Kirby, science communicator and former community news reporter, University of Rhode Island
• Ellen Kuwana, MS, independent science writer and editor based in Seattle, Washington

For full program details, mentor bios, and to apply, visit our mentorship website at: https://sites.google.com/uri.edu/discoverjournalism/home

This project was funded in full by a grant from the National Association of Science Writers. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement of or recommendation by the National Association of Science Writers, and any views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the National Association of Science Writers.