From Classroom to Newsroom: NYC High School Journalists Join Professional Newsrooms in New Summer Initiative
The NYC Youth Journalism Coalition and Department of Youth and Community Development team up to create a summer internship pathway for students interested in media careers.
NEW YORK — This week, the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition and the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development launched a paid summer newsroom internship program, placing 36 public high school student journalists in 11 professional newsrooms across New York City. The launch establishes the first journalism-focused pathway in DYCD’s Summer Youth Employment Program, connecting classroom learning with the professional news industry.
The internship program is part of YJC’s citywide Journalism for All initiative, which currently supports 30 New York City public high schools in building high-quality, sustainable journalism courses and publications. For this inaugural summer, all participating students completed the Journalism for All course at their respective high schools and were nominated by their classroom teachers based on their leadership and interest in media careers.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to build the skills, confidence, and experiences that will shape their future. Our sector focused Summer Youth Employment Program is designed to connect young people to meaningful career pathways, and this partnership with the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition is a powerful example of what is possible when we invest in their potential,” said DYCD Commissioner Sandra Escamilla Davies. “By placing students in professional newsrooms, we are helping them strengthen their voices, develop critical workplace and communication skills, and see themselves as the next generation of journalists, storytellers, and civic leaders. DYCD is proud to partner with organizations like the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition that are expanding opportunity and investing in the talent, creativity, and potential of New York City’s young people.”
The program is administered in partnership with New York Center for Interpersonal Development, which serves as the Summer Youth Employment Program provider supporting participating students.
In addition to their direct newsroom responsibilities, interns will participate in weekly professional development organized by YJC, featuring site visits to news organizations across the city and skill-building sessions led by industry professionals.
“Building this program meant bringing together schools, news organizations, and city agencies around a simple idea: if we want a stronger future for local journalism, we have to create meaningful opportunities for young people to enter the profession now,” said YJC Director CJ Sánchez. “Thirty-six young reporters will spend the summer asking questions, earning the trust of their communities, and contributing to professional journalism. They'll carry that experience into whatever comes next.”
Throughout the summer, interns will produce digital storytelling projects, conduct interviews with community members, develop social media content and cover local stories.
“We have always found high-school-aged journalists are a better target for our efforts in editorial internships,” said Walter Sanchez, publisher of BQE Media and the Queens Ledger, one of the partner newsrooms hosting interns. “They actually have a better grasp of community at that age because they still have friends in their neighborhood, still recreate in the neighborhood parks and shop in businesses along the main business strip. That leads to better sourcing. Young minds can better understand the value of sources within the community they live.”
For the student interns, the program represents a rare opportunity to break into an industry that is historically difficult to access.
“I am incredibly grateful to have gotten the opportunity to be a part of the YJC community and to have the privilege of working in a newsroom, which is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Alyson Cuadrado, a summer intern at BRIC TV and student at Early College Charter School. “I can't wait to showcase my skills, learn from others around me, and further my professional and personal growth as I embark on this wonderful journey!”
Participating Newsroom Partners
The Amsterdam News, an award-winning racial justice journalism organization serving the Black community.
BRIC TV, a non-profit, independent newsroom featuring community television and a digital network based in Brooklyn.
Broadway Education Alliance, launching The Broadway Banner, a pop-up newsroom reporting on Broadway, theater, Times Square, and performing arts education.
BQE Media, a historic hyperlocal news organization publishing multiple legacy weekly newspapers, daily newsletters, and digital civic content across Queens and Brooklyn.
Bushwick Daily, an independent, hyperlocal media company delivering community news in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Capital B, a local and national nonprofit news organization that produces in-depth journalism on topics vital to Black communities across the country.
Disabled Journalists Association, an online news outlet committed to radically improving reporting on disability and opening up the industry for disabled journalists.
Documented NY, an independent, non-profit newsroom dedicated to reporting with and for immigrant communities in New York City.
The Indypendent, a free, progressive monthly newspaper and website reporting on local issues and social movements fighting for a more just and equitable city.
PBS Student Reporting Labs, a national youth journalism training program and video project operating under the auspices of PBS News.
Vamos Forward, a Spanish-language outlet focusing on reporting positive, vital stories within New York City's Latine communities.
The NYC Youth Journalism Coalition advances equitable access to journalism opportunities for New York City’s young people, including through the Journalism for All initiative. Housed under The Bell, YJC partners include students, educators, nonprofits, newsrooms, foundations and others who support its mission.
Media Contact: Sophie Mode, sophie@youthjournalismnyc.org
