Sponsor Student Opportunities

Center for Sustainable Journalism’s student experiential learning graduates in front of a Bokeh_Focus photo gallery display. From left to right: Gabe Valeanu, Ali Sardar, Zori Perkins.

Youth Today is seeking corporate sponsors to provide funding to train qualified students in real-world job opportunities at the Center for Sustainable Journalism. The funding will help the Center for Sustainable Journalism become more sustainable while providing the sponsors with unique opportunities to meet potential experienced candidates for employment. On average we employ 10 students every semester. The amount of funding per student will be contingent on a student’s area of concentration and the required level of interaction with CSJ mentors.

Learn about our programs below and read testimonials from our students. If you are interested in sponsoring a student or interviewing our students ready to enter the workforce call us at (470) 578-2975 or email Chelsey Tabakian Odom at ctodom@csjournalism.org.

STUDENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES

At the Center for Sustainable Journalism (CSJ) we pride ourselves on employing Kennesaw State University students on all our project teams. Our job opportunities allow students to get real-world experience while getting their degrees. The focus is on enhancing learning experiences for the students through their team participation in producing our multiple projects at the CSJ, including Youth Today, The Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, and Bokeh_Focus.

We recruit through Kennesaw State University Career Services, career fairs, promotional tables around campus and word-of-mouth among students.

Student experiential learning opportunities are available in sales and marketing, investigative journalism, photography, videography, social media management, website and app development, grant writing and fundraising, event planning and more.

For example, the positions we offer in sales and marketing include Youth Today marketing assistant, Youth Today circulation marketing associate, Youth Today hybrid circulation marketing associate and Youth Today advertising account manager. These positions are 19 hours per week. The students start in subscription sales, move into a hybrid role selling subscriptions and advertising, and based on performance have the chance to move into focusing solely on advertising sales. We train students to interact professionally with clients and meet production goals using role-play. With coursework plus intensive sales training, one-on-one coaching, supervision and specific performance expectations for revenue generation, students truly prepare for full-time sales or other professional roles post-graduation. They gain valuable experience in marketing and business operations while honing vital communication, sales pitch and closing skills. Most importantly, they become a business professional — an asset to any company.

Read testimonials from our students about their time as CSJ student experiential learners.

SPONSOR BENEFITS

NETWORKING

Sponsors of the CSJ student experience will have the chance to network with up to 10 students per semester through:

• Office visits at CSJ
• Mentoring
• Quarterly lunch and learns
• Role-play sales conversations
• Sponsor-hosted office visits

PRIORITY HIRING

Sponsors of the CSJ student experience will have priority interviewing and hiring opportunities when our student team members are approaching graduation and seeking full-time employment.

REDUCED TRAINING TIME

Sponsors hiring individuals that complete the CSJ student experience will need less time to train the new hire and help them become a profitable asset. For example, CSJ students with a business focus experience will have received training and day-to-day experience in product knowledge, sales, closing skills, CRM, marketing, communication with executives at all levels and much more. Students focused in other areas such as investigative journalism, photography, videography, social media, website and app development, grant writing, fundraising and event planning will have actual experience in working, meeting deadlines and producing quality products in those areas.

INCREASE EMPLOYEE RETENTION

Sponsors hiring individuals that complete the CSJ student experience will have a higher employee retention rate. These new hires will arrive with hands-on experience in their special interest area that ensures an understanding of what it takes to be successful in their new job and career field.

BECOME A STUDENT SPONSOR OR GRADUATE EMPLOYER

Are you interested in sponsoring a student or interviewing our students ready to enter the workforce?

Call us today at (470) 578-2975 or email Chelsey Tabakian Odom at ctodom@csjournalism.org

 

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