Support youth journalists as a volunteer!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with ThreeSixty!
We are recruiting volunteers for our upcoming Opinion Writing Workshop in October. Read below for details and the sign up link.
Opinion Writing Workshop
All volunteer shifts begin with a 30 minute orientation and mingling with snacks and coffee.
In the Opinion Writing Workshop, students will write a well-researched, timely, and compelling opinion about an issue connected to community life. Such topics can include politics and civic engagement, culture and the arts, education, health, immigration, climate change, and identity. Students will be taught to approach their topics through a hyperlocal lens, particularly for topics national and global significance.
Volunteers have the opportunity to serve as writing coaches and/or editors. We are especially interested in volunteers with formal journalism or editorial experience, and in volunteers who have experience writing and submitting opinion pieces from the fields of advocacy, policy, or strategic communications.
Saturday, October 24 (9:00 – 12:00 pm): Writing Coach
Volunteers will work with 2-3 students on Day 3 of the workshop. Students will have picked their topic and started their outline. Writing coaches will need to support them with research and turning outlines into first drafts. Though a work in progress, drafts should clearly communicate the intended argument, the student’s personal connection to the topic, and signs of research.
Saturday, October 31 (9:00 – 12:00 pm): Editing Coach
Volunteers will serve as editors on the last day of the workshop. Students will need support getting their story across the finish line and will likely be 70-90% done. As an editor coach, you will help make sure their opinion piece is ready for publication. Once they are ready, you will also check for structure and provide line edits for grammar, clarity, etc.
Sign up for the Opinion Writing Workshop, here.
Who can volunteer with ThreeSixty?
We are looking for volunteers with interest and experience in writing, storytelling, editing, journalism, multimedia, interviewing, and youth mentoring. Occasionally, we seek volunteers with more specific skills such as political reporting, creative writing, networking and career coaching, and opinion/column writing. We have had volunteers with backgrounds in print media, radio and audio, film, corporate communications, public relations, grant writing, technical writing, and more!
ThreeSixty works with youth from under-represented backgrounds whose communities’ stories have been absented from media. Successful volunteers will be able to work with students from different backgrounds and support them in developing their unique voice. Help us share the word – we are looking specifically to grow our volunteer base with those who are young/early career professionals, from under-represented backgrounds, and working in non-traditional roles within media and journalism.
Training
ThreeSixty volunteer shifts begin with a 30-minute training and mingling with coffee and snacks. We strongly encourage new and old volunteers to attend this half-hour session to meet fellow media professionals & journalists, learn more about ThreeSixty’s culture and learning goals, and receive support on working with our youth storytellers.
Email Associate Director of Operations & Systems Denise Huang with questions about volunteering.
