DBAN-OCR Fellowship

In partnership with the Orange County Register, the Daily Bruin Alumni Network is proud to present and sponsor the DBAN-OC Register Fellowship. This program will provide one (1) current Daily Bruin reporter or editor the opportunity to work as a summer intern at the OC Register/Southern California News Group, with a $6,200 stipend from the Daily Bruin Alumni Network.

During the 10-week program, which will start June 26 and end on Sept. 1, the DBAN-OCR Fellow will work with the Southern California News Group's Demographics and Equity team, covering key issues related to equity, education, health care, race and religion in the region. The reporter also is expected to occasionally contribute to the coverage of breaking news throughout Southern California. The reporter will have a chance to pitch and pursue enterprise stories.

The reporter is expected to work mostly from home, but is expected to commute to The Register’s Irvine newsroom one time a week to meet with the supervising editor and must be able to drive to assignments as needed.

The Fellow will also receive one-on-one mentoring throughout the 10 weeks and into the 2023-24 academic year with a DBAN member, through the DBAN Mentoring & Professional Development Committee.

FAQ’s:

Who may apply?

UCLA students in good academic standing who are and will be current Daily Bruin staff members (contributor, staff, or editor/senior staff) of The Daily Bruin in 2023-24 academic year.

Since this is a reporting position, you will be expected to travel across Orange County. It’s highly advised that you have a car, or at least a valid driver’s license. Those with previous internships are welcome to apply, but those who have worked full-time professionally as staff journalists are not eligible.

Applicants do not have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, but they must be eligible to work in the United States.

On what criteria will award winners be chosen?

The winner of the Fellowship will be selected by June 1, 2023. The selection committee will look at the following:

● Commitment to journalism, as shown through the résumé and cover letter.

● Interest and experience in covering equity issues, especially in Southern California.

● Having an experience in regularly writing stories (i.e., at least once every two weeks on average, although ideally it should at least be once every week on average since the intern will be expected to write multiple pieces per week) for the Daily Bruin and/or other outlet

● Able to write clean copy on deadline with minimal reporting holes.

● Experience in taking photos and/or foreign language skills are a plus.

How to apply?

Applications are due by Monday, May 8, 2023, via email to both Register/SCNG Demographics and Equity Team editor Allyson Vergara at avergara@scng.com and UCLA Student Media Director Doria Deen at ddeen@media.ucla.edu. Interviews (Zoom or in-person) will follow in the two weeks afterward.

Please submit your résumé, including your participation in the Daily Bruin, as well as a cover letter detailing why you’re interested in the position and your future career aspirations. Please submit up to five clips, the majority of which (if not all) should come from the Daily Bruin.

When is it due?

May 8, 2023.

What happens if I win?

Upon notification of the fellowship winner from the OC Register, UCLA shall then distribute the award to the recipient at or before the commencement of the Summer Quarter of 2023, provided that the recipients commit to continue serving on the staff of the Daily Bruin. If students are no longer involved with the Daily Bruin, they will no longer be eligible for the fellowship.

You’ll be formally recognized at the Daily Bruin Alumni Network’s centennial reunion, which is scheduled for October 2023. It is expected that you will attend this event, as well as to meet with alumni and scholarship donors. You’ll also be asked to provide periodic updates on your professional development, and a testimonial about how the Fellowship helped you.