Since 1984, the Los Angeles Times has helped budding journalists launch careers and boost representation in newsrooms through its innovative Metpro training program. The Los Angeles Times Fellowship carries on that spirit and does the important work of finding, training and cultivating tomorrow's news journalists.
Criteria
The Los Angeles Times is seeking high-potential, highly motivated aspiring journalists from various backgrounds, viewpoints and life experiences. The program’s main thrust is to provide participants — recent college graduates or journalists with limited professional experience — the training and support necessary to put them on a fast track to success.
This is not an internship but a formal immersion program customized to help fellows realize their career goals and provide pathways and experience to aspiring journalists from a mix of backgrounds. The paid, full-time position lasts a year and its members are part of the Los Angeles Times Guild. We accept applications from those with up to three years of experience in a professional newsroom or up to five years in media settings such as weeklies and community newsrooms, websites, fellowships or freelance work, and who are eligible to work in the U.S.
What to expect
- Formal mentorship
- Regular performance evaluations and on-the-job feedback
- A thorough grounding in journalism ethics and relevant laws pertaining to libel and privacy
- An opportunity to cover communities, including law enforcement, courts and city councils
- An overview of public records and research tools
If you are curious, creative and motivated, if you want to document history as it unfolds and have a strong desire to be a part of a newsroom, then apply to the L.A. Times Fellowship.
How to Apply
Applicants will be required to fill out the form below, complete the writing test and request evaluations from three references. The original deadline to apply was in March. We are postponing the launch of the program and allowing those early applicants to submit updated material.
If you did not apply originally, you can submit an interest form by Sept. 1.
This is an abbreviated version of our standard application, meaning you won’t need to complete performance tasks or submit work assessments from professional references at this time. If your interest form is selected to advance, we will invite you to complete the next steps in the selection process. The tentative start date for the next class is January/February 2027.
Performance Tasks: Click to access. Further instructions are on the first page.
Evaluation Form: Applicants can download the form and send to their references. There are also reference requests in the application.
Have questions? Click here to read the FAQs.
Contact Us
Angel Jennings | Assistant Managing Editor for Culture and Talent
Anh Do | Deputy Editor for Culture and Talent
The Los Angeles Times welcomes applications from aspiring reporters, visual journalists, data/graphics journalists, designers, multiplatform copy editors and audience engagement editors.
The priority deadline for the upcoming class of Los Angeles Times Fellowship has passed. However, if you'd still like to be considered you can submit an interest form. The deadline to apply is Sept. 1 and the tentative start date is January/February 2027.
This is an abbreviated version of our standard application, meaning you won't need to complete performance tasks or submit work assessments from professional references at this time. If your interest form is selected to advance, we will invite you to complete the next steps in the selection process.
How to Apply
Applicants are required to complete this form.
In addition:
Reporters: Submit up to seven work samples via urls or uploads and/or a link to your portfolio.
Copy editors: Please complete the application and submit sample work.
Visual journalists: Submit a portfolio or links with a minimum of 20 single images. Materials can also be uploaded.
Data and graphics journalists: Submit a portfolio and/or links to your work and GitHub account.
Designers: Upload up to seven work samples and/or submit a portfolio with links to your print and/or web designs.
Audience engagement editors: Upload up to seven work samples and links and/or submit a portfolio with links to social media campaigns, digital builds and other applicable work samples.
Have questions? Click here to read the FAQs.
Contact Us
Angel Jennings | Assistant Managing Editor for Culture and Talent
Anh Do | Deputy Editor for Culture and Talent