WASHINGTON, DC, -- The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and the National Hispanic Press Foundation (NHPF) are now accepting applications from college students and recent graduates interested in pursuing a summer internship with publications in Washington, DC. The NAHJ/NHPF Ford Blue Oval Journalism Internship, sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, supports Latino journalism students interested in careers at Hispanic or Spanish-language media publications.
Students who apply must be enrolled full-time in college or must be recent graduates. They must be available for the internship from May 30th through August 21st, 2010. As part of the internship, selected students will receive $250 per week as well as reimbursement of some transportation costs and paid housing in Washington, DC. Students will also receive paid travel, lodging, registration and meals while participating in a week-long intensive journalism training workshop at the 28th Annual NAHJ Multimedia Convention & Career Expo taking place June 23-26 in Denver, Colorado.
"The NAHJ/NHPF Ford Blue Oval Journalism Internship program offers journalism students the opportunity to learn first-hand what it takes to have a career in their field," said Ivan Roman, NAHJ's Executive Director. "The program also addresses the need to have a stronger Latino voice in today's newsrooms to bring that perspective into the coverage in our communities. We thank Ford for giving them the opportunity to add their voices to the mix."
The selected students will complete a twelve-week summer internship at a Hispanic or Spanish-language publication in the nation's capital during the 2010 summer. The internship will give them the opportunity to cover the local Latino community as well as national Hispanic issues.
"At Ford, we are thrilled to be able to provide this opportunity and to play a role in the development of the next generation of Latino journalists," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "Our partnership with NAHJ and NHPF on this internship truly furthers Ford's commitment to educating Hispanic youth."
The 2009 class of interns included students from Puerto Rico and California, who while in DC were able to cover the latest developments and stories affecting the Hispanic community. One of the interns was able to stay in Washington working for the same publication where he held his internship, while another had the opportunity to attend a White House press conference, where she met first Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor.
"Thanks to Ford's support, we're not only providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to these students, we're also fostering the industry alliances and community building needed to sustain programs such as this one. The National Hispanic Press Foundation is proud of being part of it," said Mary Ann Gomez, NHPF's Executive Director.
Those interested in applying for the internship can visit www.nahj.org.
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford operates. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit www.community.ford.com.
About the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Founded in 1984, NAHJ's mission is to increase the percentage of Latinos working in our nation's newsrooms and to improve news coverage of the Latino community. For more information, visitwww.nahj.org.
About the National Hispanic Press Foundation The National Hispanic Press Foundation promotes Hispanic publications through community outreach to academic and professional institutions, facilitation of research and recognition of excellence in the field. For more information visit, www.nahp.org.
Contacts: Maria Pineda Comunicad T. 703-807-0500 Email Contact Ivan Roman NAHJ T. 202-662-7178 Email Contact Mary Ann Gomez NHPF T. 202-662-7416 Email Contact
