Since 1978, the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, the New Jersey Press Foundation and New Jersey newspapers have worked to promote diversity in the staffing and content of the state's newspapers.

The Chiger Williams Foundation wants New Jersey high school students to get a taste of the professional press and what the life of a journalist is like. We also want to start talking about how to make sure the media of the 21st Century will represent the multitude of ideas, cultures and viewpoints that our democracy needs to function.

If you are interested in a career in the news, this is the place for you!

The Workshop

You'll tour major daily newspapers and publications. You'll meet professional journalists, editors and other news experts. You'll cover current news issues and cultural events. And you'll interview sources, write stories, take photos, conduct Internet research and work in a Macintosh desktop publishing lab to produce a complete newspaper.

Completed applications for the 2009 workshop will be accepted until May 15, 2009. The 2008 Journalism Diversity Workshop took place July 13-25, 2008.

The Setting

The 2009 program will be located on the campus of Monmouth University, on the beautiful Jersey shore in West Long Branch, NJ -- about 90 minutes from both Philadelphia and New York. You'll live on a beautiful, tree-shaded campus while you learn about the world of news from skilled professionals and journalism educators. All of the workshop activities take place in the labs and studios of the state-of-the-art Jules Plangere Center for Communication and Instructional Technology.

What Does It Cost?

The Workshop is free to participants. If you are selected to attend, we provide all housing, meals, instructional materials and field trips! You provide your own travel to and from the university in West Long Branch, and pocket money.

Eligibility

The sponsors of this program, which include the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, the New Jersey Press Foundation, the FirstEnergy Foundation and New Jersey newspapers, seek to attract a diverse group of young people to New Jersey newspapers. Participants are chosen on the basis of their writing ability and their interest in print journalism. Special consideration is given to students who have faced barriers to pursuing a career in journalism. If you are interested in a career in journalism, a high school student who is a New Jersey resident, and already in or going into your junior or senior year, see your guidance counselor, journalism adviser or English teacher for an application form, or download one from this website.