University of Journalism Internship Program for African American Male High School Students

Program Overview

The and The Heinz Endowments have teamed up to offer African American high school males a 10-week, after-school journalism internship program on the Pitt campus from mid- September through November 2013. The Endowments formed the African American Men and Boys Task Force in 2007 to improve educational, economic, social and leadership opportunities for African American males in the Pittsburgh area. The University of Pittsburgh joined the initiative in 2011 to offer students ways they can communicate and tell their stories through writing, photography and videography.

Program Components

Students will: • Shadow college students who work at the university’s student , The Pitt News • Observe journalism classes taught by experienced journalists • Attend an internship dinner and panel discussion in October • Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette • Practice journalism writing, photography and videography, depending on their interests • Receive a lap top computer and a $500 stipend after the successful completion of the internship

Program Requirements

• Participants must commit to at least three hours once a week after school to come to the Pitt campus in . • Participants will be required to submit a short paper reflecting on their experience at the end of the program. • High school instructors and administrators also will be expected to identify students for the program who have demonstrated potential in writing and other forms of communication, including those who might not be at the top of their class. • Teachers, after-school instructors, parents and guardians will be expected to support and encourage participating students, especially in helping them understand that the communication skills they are learning will be valuable in both their school and work careers. • All students will be required to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner.

Admission Requirements

To apply to the program, a student must meet the following qualifications: • Currently enrolled as a sophomore or junior in high school • Live in Allegheny County • Have an interest in journalism • Have the support of parents or guardians • Be able to arrange transportation to the University of Pittsburgh • Provide two letters of recommendation, one from a teacher or school administrator; the other from an unrelated adult outside of school with the application • Submit two references with the application • Be willing to come to the Pitt campus for an interview this summer with the selection committee

The application is due by Monday, June 3, 2013 and should be emailed or mailed to: Barbara Klein University of Pittsburgh Department of English 526 Pittsburgh, PA. 15260 or [email protected]

Acceptances will be announced by Aug. 15

If you have questions about the application process or the internship program, contact Barbara Klein, the University of Pittsburgh internship coordinator at 412.624.1737 or [email protected]. She will respond to messages as quickly as possible.

University of Pittsburgh Journalism Internship Program for African American Male High School Students

Application

NAME:

DATE OF BIRTH:

MAILING ADDRESS:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

HOME PHONE:

WIRELESS PHONE:

HIGH SCHOOL: Program contact:

YEAR IN SCHOOL AS OF SEPTEMBER 2013:

WRITING-RELATED CLASSES YOU HAVE TAKEN:

GRADE POINT AVERAGE:

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS/GOALS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL:

WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER INTERESTS AND WHY:

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

CURRENT/PRIOR EMPLOYMENT:

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THIS INTERNSHIP? WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF IT? WHAT SKILLS AND PERSPECTIVE WOULD YOU BRING TO THE INTERNSHIP?

PLEASE LIST TWO REFERENCES and their PHONE NUMBERS (both work and cell) and their EMAIL ADDRESSES (one reference must be a teacher or administrator at your school; the other must be an unrelated adult outside of school):

PLEASE ATTACH A RECENT WRITING SAMPLE (not longer than three pages):

Parents or Guardians names:

Address:

Home Phone(s):

Work Number(s):

Wireless Phone(s):

Email Address(es):

Emergency contact:

Phone:

SIGNATURES For Applicants and Parents/Guardians: I CERTIFY THAT I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE QUESTIONS AND THAT THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THIS APPLICATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT.

Signature of Applicant:

Name of Parent/Guardian:

Signature of Parent/Guardian: