Apply to join the PinkNews work experience scheme
PinkNews is currently welcoming applications for our journalism work experience scheme based at our London and New York offices.
Successful candidates will secure a placement learning and practising the key skills associated with online journalism: researching, interviewing, writing, editing and promoting news articles on social media. Each year, we welcome around 24 people onto our scheme from a variety of backgrounds and connections to the LGBT community.
During the placement, you will learn and practice news writing skills, as well as having the opportunity to write longer features, or a comment piece on a topic of your choosing.
Many people get the chance to interview a politician or celebrity, and are able to edit and publish their own articles by the time they leave.
At PinkNews we are looking for people who are able to hit the ground running, and who we can invest time and our expertise in, and welcome on board the busy team.
Here are two of the stories of recent graduates of our work experience programme:-
Joseph
I spent a few weeks at PinkNews on a placement during my journalism masters. While on the placement, I learned so much, and quickly became more confident in my writing and editing skills.After I completed the placement, I applied to join the freelance writing team at PinkNews and was successful, regularly having my work published on the site. Later, I was invited to join the full time staff of PinkNews, where I am now news editor and regularly deputise for the editor Scott and the publisher Benjamin.
I have worked on covering the lead up to the Royal Assent of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act, as well as the strike-down of the Defense of Marriage Act, and California’s Proposition 8, in the US.
As well as news writing, I have edited and published pieces by the British Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and Labour leader Ed Miliband.
Learning on the job is something I still do every day, particularly working closely with the team. No two days are ever the same, and as well as doing a job I love, I feel that we provide a valuable service to the LGBT community.
Corinne
I started work experience at PinkNews when I first arrived in London, and during the first week of my placement I was in Parliament interviewing the a newly elected openly gay member of Parliament.The passage of the equal marriage act for England and Wales was an exciting time, and I felt I gave a valuable input into the comprehensive coverage of the bill as it went through to Royal Assent.
My writing skills were quickly improved, and after I left my placement, I took up regular freelance work with PinkNews.
On the back of my work experience at PinkNews, which I consider invaluable, I now have an job I love as a researcher for a school leader support service. I have also made friends for life among the PinkNews team.
Why we operate the scheme
Since 2005, PinkNews has produced compelling and groundbreaking content for and about the LGBT+ community. Our readers have an insatiable appetite for content to read and we work hard to ensure that we cover every angle for every story. We also believe in journalism and the power for journalism to change the lives of ordinary people. We’re proud that it was on PinkNews that British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg became the first leader of the major political parties to back same-sex marriage.
We are going to be honest here. Many publications use people on work experience to act as unpaid journalists or people to make cups of tea or coffee, with no prospects of paid employment. Often those who take part in schemes face considerable transport costs to attend. PinkNews is different. We want to give an opportunity for students and those new to the profession to gain writing experience, expertise and improve their confidence. The aim is that by the end of their time with us, those on the scheme will know whether they want to enter into the world of journalism and hopefully have the confidence to apply for a job.
What is the benefit for us? The benefits are simple and multi-sided. We want to offer opportunities to as many people as possible. We also think that we gain as an organisation from having interactions with as many people as possible. There’s another reason, some of our best members of staff and our those in our bank of freelance writers have already spent time on our work experience scheme before or have completed a placement at another similar publication. While we make no promises, we hope that those who enjoy their time with PinkNews will later apply for a job here when the opportunities arise.
The full terms and conditions of our work experience scheme are available during the application process and those on the scheme must first sign a contract that details the exact aims of the scheme. Placements take place at the PinkNews office in North London and our office in the heart of Manhattan in New York. We are proud to say that unlike most national newspapers, we offer those on work experience expenses so that they are not left out of pocket while completing their placement. We do this because journalism should be a profession for all, not just the privileged.
To apply, in the first instance, please send a covering letter and a CV to [email protected]. You should hear back from us within a few working days.
Finally, we also have fun. Here is some of the PinkNews London team enjoying a drink before we went out for a team dinner.
