Announcing The New York Times Corps

The program, named The New York Times Corps, will pair college freshmen, sophomores and some juniors who aspire to have journalism careers with Times journalists. Students will talk with their advisers perhaps two or three times a year, up to the duration of students’ undergraduate careers. Those conversations will focus specifically on career-building advice. Occasional speakers, training and activities will punctuate the experience.

Students who complete the program will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City, where they will tour the newsroom and meet Times journalists in person. The best-performing Times Corps members, after they graduate, also may receive consideration for The New York Times Fellowship, an immersive, yearlong work program.

The Times Corps will specifically target students based in the United States from underrepresented groups, such as students of color and/or students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The program is replacing the Student Journalism Institute, our two-week annual boot camp, which finishes a successful nearly 20-year run supporting students of color.

“Access to quality career guidance is one of the biggest challenges facing students seeking to be journalists. This program is an effort to address that,” said Ted Kim, the director of career programs for The Times.

The Times will recruit its first class in the spring of 2022. Watch for lots more information to come on this exciting new program.

—Ted Kim and Carla Correa

The New York Times Corps is a groundbreaking talent-pipeline program. It is meant for early-college students from underrepresented groups.

The Times Corps is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for college students to receive career mentoring from Times journalists. The program incorporates guest speakers, feedback and skill-building opportunities.

The goal is to benefit not only the participants and The Times, but other newsrooms.

What is the Times Corps?

The New York Times Corps is a talent-pipeline program for students interested in cultivating careers in journalism. The program will target underrepresented groups in the field, such as students of color and/or students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Who is eligible for the Times Corps?

The Times Corps will accept freshmen and sophomores from underrepresented groups who attend four-year or two-year colleges based in the United States. The program also may accept some juniors who express a strong interest in pursuing a journalism career.

What will happen to the Student Journalism Institute?

The Times Corps will replace the Student Journalism Institute. The goal is to incorporate some of the best elements of the Institute into the Times Corps, such as speakers and training sessions and a visit to New York City.

Will The Times offer the Student Journalism Institute in 2022?

No.

Why did The Times make this change?

Among the most prevalent barriers to success for student journalists of color is access to quality mentorship and career guidance over a sustained period. We believe the Times Corps will provide significant benefits for today’s students, the Times newsroom and the industry, and establish relationships that will pay off for years to come.

How long is the Times Corps?

The length of the program depends on when a student is accepted, but ends upon undergraduate college graduation.

When will The Times open applications for the Times Corps and when will it start?

Applications will open in spring 2022. The program is slated to begin in summer 2022.

Is the Times Corps paid?

No. The Times Corps is a talent-pipeline program, and Corps members are not employees of The New York Times.

How many Times Corps members will be in the program?

Class sizes will vary. Our initial class will have up to 25 students. The eventual goal is to have multiple Corps classes participating at once, creating a large pool of future talent.

Who chooses the Times Corps members?

The program’s directors and top editors from around the newsroom will collaborate to choose the participants.

Do Times Corps members have a chance to be hired into the Times Fellowship?

High-performing Corps members might gain acceptance into the Times Fellowship or be referred to other newsrooms.

What kind of experience should Times Corps members expect?

Corps members will be paired with newsroom advisers who will offer periodic journalism and career feedback. The guidance might be punctuated by remote training sessions and conversations from top journalists and leaders in the Times newsroom. Corps members who complete the program will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to our New York building.

How does the Times Corps relate to diversity initiatives at The Times?

Over time, the Times Corps will develop a deep and diverse talent pool, both for the Times newsroom and journalism at large. Helping to build an inclusive industry is essential to our mission.

Are international students eligible to participate in the program?

International students who attend college in the United States are eligible to apply. Future iterations of the program may include students based overseas.