Since 1984, the Los Angeles Times has helped budding journalists launch careers and boost diversity in newsrooms through its innovative Metpro training program. We are proud to continue the tradition, now for the 40th year. 

The Los Angeles Times Fellowship carries on that spirit and does the important work of finding, training and cultivating tomorrow's diverse news journalists.

Criteria

The Los Angeles Times is seeking high-potential, highly motivated aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds 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 communities historically underrepresented in American newsrooms. 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
• Frequent performance evaluations and coaching
• 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
• A thorough understanding of public records and research tools
• An opportunity to prepare stories for the web and build digital media skills

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 are required to fill out the form below, complete the writing test and request evaluations from three references. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2024. Finalists will be notified in the spring and the program starts in the fall. 

Reporting Test: Click to access, then download. 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

Joseph Serna | Deputy Editor for Culture and Talent

careers@latimes.com