Written by Emerson Alum, Andrew Grant:
While the Globe is here, they will be recruiting two types of student workers: Co-Ops and Interns. The Summer Internship Program is a very intensive program designed for students who already have a strong background in journalism. The Co-op Program is meant for strong student writers who may not have as much experience in in-the-ground reporting.
This preview will focus on the Co-op Program as it is what I personally have the most experience with. The Co-op program employs students to work full-time for six months, with two rotations a year. One rotation lasts from January 2 until June 30 while the other runs from July 1 to December 31.
The following departments all take Co-op students:
- Business
- Metro
- Editorial
- Sports
- Living Arts
- Photo
- Regionals
- Magazine
There are plenty of opportunities for students interested in all aspects of working at a newspaper. With that being said…
What is it like to work as a Co-op?
During my time at the Globe, I worked as a Co-op on the Metro desk. It was hard work. You are full-time and expected to work as a full-time reporter, as well as taking care of minor tasks around the office. That being said, you aren’t going to be fetching coffee or getting lunch. You’re going to be treated as a reporter from day one. That can be intimidating, but it is also some of the most rewarding work I’ve ever done. You never know what’s going to come in when you arrive that morning and it’s quite exciting.
What’s the office like?
At the end of my Co-op term, the Globe moved to a new office at 53 State Street. Not only is this very convenient for students who live close to campus, but the building is modern and beautiful. The culture of the Globe is pretty typical of a newsroom; things can be stressful when deadlines are on or something major is happening, but most of the time it’s a very relaxed place to work. I laughed several times a day during my time there. The people are also very nice and eager to see you get better as a journalist.
Was it a good experience?
Yes. There is no doubt that my time at the Globe made me a better writer, but it also made me more confident of a person. A large part of the Co-op, at least on the Metro Desk, is being on the phone talking with sources. Before my Co-op, if you had told me to call up someone I had never met and ask them questions about a murder or a fire, I would have panicked. Now, it’s no big deal at all. The Co-op is a great way for aspiring journalists to get some real time in a newsroom and see if they like being a reporter.
Learn More & Apply to the Boston Globe’s Co-Op:
