Free study and two years work on offer in Fairfax Media journalism intern scheme

Applications have opened for Fairfax Media’s journalism intern scheme. Successful applicants will study the National Diploma in Jouralism next year (for one year full-time) and once they have their qualification, they will have their course feeds refunded and be bonded to Fairfax for two years.

It’s not every day someone offers to pay for your edcuation and give you two years work straight after, so this is a good opportunity for young people trying to get into journalism.

From the website:

Among other things, the scheme offers participants:

• Work experience during course holidays at one of Fairfax’s publications;
• Reimbursement of course fees to successful applicants
• Employment with a Fairfax publication at the conclusion of the course.
• On-going training and career development.

Participating journalism schools are Massey University, Wellington, the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aoraki Polytechnic, Dunedin, and the Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton.

The selection process includes an on-line application form including at least four written exercises. Applicants have to show they will make good journalists for their preferred newspaper or website. Then follows a two-hour writing and general knowledge exercise designed to test journalistic aptitude at cities throughout the country on a specific date.

Editors then choose those they wish to interview according to the publication and school preferences of the applicants. Representatives of the participating schools take part in and approve all selected interns.

On the successful completion of their course, participants will be reimbursed for their course fees and bonded to Fairfax for two years.