Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is pleased to offer two student fellowships for the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University at $5,000 each for full-time summer internships in the MPR newsroom. Next summer (2018), two CSB/SJU students will serve as MPR/Gary Eichten Fellows, with selected students completing an internship at MPR, located in downtown St. Paul. Fellows will learn the basics of news writing, reporting and production with a goal to write and produce material for MPR newscasts. This prestigious fellowship opportunity was created in honor of Gary Eichten, a 1969 St. John’s University graduate, who wore many hats during his award-winning, 40-plus year career at Minnesota Public Radio.

Selected Fellows will work full-time at MPR beginning June 5, 2017 and continuing through August 11, 2017. Students may elect to earn credits for the experience; those choosing to do so will work with the Assistant Director of Experiential Learning & Community Engagement on an individual basis to set up payment and assessment for credits earned. Prior to their commencement as Fellows, students selected must participate in a training seminar in May 2018. Finally, following their summer-long internship, Fellows will submit an audio-visual presentation highlighting their summer experience, as well as offer a poster presentation of learning to the community at CSB/SJU’s Scholarship & Creativity Day the following April.

Please note, students will not be allowed to have any other paid employment during the ten-week fellowship. Fellowship stipends will be paid directly to the student by MPR, along with reimbursement for parking or bus costs incurred. Students with a diversity of life experience are encouraged to apply.

Position Responsibility:

·         Learn writing, reporting and production techniques for radio.

·         Make calls to news sources.

·         Edit tape.

·         Assist with production.

Required Education and Experience:

·         Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at the College of St. Benedict or St. John’s University with Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing as of Fall 2017.

·         Coursework must have an emphasis in writing, communications, English or a related field

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

·         Awareness of current events, news topics and issues is essential.

·         Ability to follow directions and work under deadlines.

·         Self-motivated, resourceful, curious, and detail-oriented.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

· Strong writing skills preferred with previous high school or college newspaper experience or media work (writing and/or photography) desirable.

· Experience in creating multi-media content and/or production experience.

o  Familiarity with basic production skills (audio or video editing) desirable, and/or some experience with online production and editing.

o Familiarity with the use of social media platforms, computer graphics and/or data visualization helpful.

Please feel free to contact Laura Hammond, Assistant Director of Experiential Learning & Community Engagement, at [email protected] with any questions. The application deadline to be considered for an MPR/ Gary Eichten Fellowship is Sunday, February 11, 2017. The selection process will begin that week with selection committee review and anticipated decisions/notification of Fellowship awarding by mid-March.