Opening Doors: Your Path to a Career in Public Media

Student Eligibility & Application Requirements for BIPOC Students

Ready to launch your journalism career? Opening Doors is your chance to gain valuable skills and experience in public media.

This program is specifically for students who identify as Black, Indigenous or Person of Color (BIPOC) in your junior or senior year.

How do you know you're eligible?

You're a journalism student who identifies as Black, Indigenous or Person of Color (BIPOC) in your junior or senior year.
You're excited about the possibility of a career in public media.
You're passionate about science, health, and economics reporting.

What you'll gain:

If you're selected for the program, you can expect:

Intensive Leadership Training:
- Attend the full 5-day PMJA National Conference in Kansas City!
- Participate in workshops on critical thinking, communication skills, and how to navigate the exciting world of public media.
- Learn from experienced public media professionals and build valuable connections.
- Travel and hotel expenses for the conference are covered.
Mentorship Magic:
- Get paired with an experienced public media professional specializing in science, health, and economics reporting.
- Receive personalized guidance, support, and insider tips throughout your journey.
A Real-World Internship:
- Land a paid 16-week internship at a public radio station where you'll gain hands-on experience covering important local stories on science, health, and the economy.
- PMJA will provide subsidies to stations and offer ongoing support to ensure you have a successful internship experience.

What do you need to apply?

Create a News Spot! Just upload a recorded spot – no longer than 60 seconds – that answers the question, 'Why do you want to be a journalist in public media, and how will Opening Doors help you achieve your goals, especially in covering science, health, and/or economics locally?'
Tell Us Your Story: Well ask about your details including your name, age, and a little about your background.
Academic Info: Share your current year in school, major, GPA, and transcripts.
Get Letters of Support: Request letters of recommendation from a professor and a professional who knows your work.
Share Your Resume: Include your academic and professional experience, including any relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, and work history.
Showcase Your Work (Optional): Submit a portfolio of your best work, including any additional writing samples, multimedia projects, or other creative work.

The Selection Process:

A team of dedicated PMJA members will work with staff to review your application based on:

Your passion for public media and science, health, and economics journalism.
Your writing skills and potential.
Your academic performance.
Your unique background and perspective.
Your leadership and professional development potential.

The review committee will carefully assess each application to select a cohort of students who represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences and possess the necessary skills and qualifications to succeed in the program.

What Happens Next?

Selection Notifications: Applicants will be notified of their selection status by late April.
For Selected Students:
- You will receive a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining your and PMJA's commitments to the program. This will include details on:
  - Your Commitments: Active participation in all program activities, including the leadership retreat, mentorship program, and internship.
  - PMJA's Commitments: Providing all program benefits as outlined, including travel and accommodation for the leadership retreat, support for internship placements, and ongoing mentorship support.
- PMJA will assist with travel arrangements for your arrival in Kansas City on Sunday, June 22nd and departure Saturday, June 28th.
- An online orientation meeting will be held prior to the conference to prepare you for the Opening Doors experience.

Key Dates:

Application Deadline: March 23rd
Selection Notification: Late April
#PMJA2025 Conference & Leadership Retreat: June 23rd - 27th
Student Cohort Meetings: August, October, December
Internships: 16 weeks during the 2025/2026 academic year