New journalism students: Here’s why you should join student media
Plus, story ideas you can pursue this fall
This issue is sponsored by Flytedesk. The Nutgraf independently produced the content.
We’re back for the fall semester!
Last academic year ended with student media navigating a whirlwind of change, from evolving take-down policies to the ripple effects of an intensifying immigration crackdown.
As we kick off a new semester, one issue remains top of mind: the ongoing impact of the Trump administration on campuses across the country, at least according to student journalists I spoke with.
To get a sense of what’s most pressing — and why new students should get involved — I reached out to a group of student journalist leaders earlier this month.
I asked them three things: why new students should join student media, what story ideas they think are worth pursuing this semester and what they look forward to the most with a new academic year beginning.
Here’s what they had to say.
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Tarek Anthony, EIC of The Daily Emerald
Why students should join student media: “In my experience, there is nothing I have learned sitting in a journalism lecture that compares to what I have learned working for student media.
“Learning the theories and practice in a classroom is undoubtedly important, but the true learning, in my opinion, comes from just doing it and repeating it. There is perhaps no better place than student media to try everything, fail with minimal consequences and get better.
“Whether you've been interested in media and journalism for years or think you may be curious about a career in it, student media is the place to find out. There are endless opportunities in the student media to try so many media and learn something new.
“On a more practical note, it is getting increasingly difficult to get an internship or job in the media industry. Student media clips are absolutely vital to collecting the experience and building your name recognition to secure those internships and jobs.
“If you want to pursue a career in media, then you need to get clips fast and early and student media is a welcoming and endlessly creative place to get that experience.”
Story ideas: Anthony suggested that student journalists be on top of the impact of the Trump administration’s actions on their schools.
How is your school coping with research funding cuts?
How is your school responding to the anti-DEI pressure?
How is your administration responding to increased immigration enforcement?
For less political topics, he said students should get off campus and explore local stories in their host cities to find out how local actions impact students.
“Covering city council meetings may sound boring,” he said, noting that he disagreed. “But it is practical experience for when you have a job and it matters to students and the community alike.”
Looking ahead: Anthony said he’s looking forward to continuing various investigations, boosting The Daily Emerald’s city news coverage and working with the talent in the newsroom.
Sabr Keres-Siddiqui, student life & arts editor of The Drew Acorn
Why students should join student media: “Student media is the present and future of student voice as a whole. It serves as a vital outlet not just for information, but for the community as well.
“It brings students together and helps make our voices heard, not just within the bounds of our specific schools but also far beyond them.
“It gives students a say and a platform in what's going on around them day-by-day and shows much of the rest of the world that we are not as powerless, immature or in our own bubble as they might mistakenly believe. And this is just one reason — there are, of course, many, many others!”
Story ideas: Similarly, Keres-Siddiqui also encouraged a pursuit of the top-of-mind stories like the impact of the Trump administration’s policies, but emphasized the need for more voices of the actual students who are affected on a day-to-day level.
“We’re bombarded almost by the minute by info blasts from major media of ‘trans ban this, Donald Trump that, curriculum lawsuit, those other things,’” Keres-Siddiqui said. “I’ve seen barely anyone actually lending a voice to the real, living, breathing human beings outside of the ivory towers that these broad, sweeping policies actually harm.”
Looking ahead: Keres-Siddiqui said they’re looking forward to highlighting those voices and continuing to provide a source of “stability, fresh air and information to communities that desperately need it like mine.”
Sydney McGarr, head news editor of The Catalyst
Why students should join student media: “Keeping student media alive is more important now than ever — especially with the free speech rights of so many higher education establishments under attack.
“I think joining student media is an accessible and engaging way to stay civically involved as a student at your school, but also as a citizen of the world. It's also a great way to build community with other people who care about telling stories and protecting the future of journalism.”
Story ideas: McGarr suggested a deep dive into the statistics behind what would happen if your college’s federal funding got cut. She pointed to this piece her newspaper did for Colorado College.
On a lighter note, she said she’s interested in the idea of running student spotlight pieces, featuring interviews with students who participated in summer programs through the school.
“This could easily be implemented at any college paper and could even go beyond just school-sponsored programs and into other specific student internships/experiences,” she said.
Looking ahead: McGarr said she can’t wait for the paper’s weekly “Pizza and Pitches” every Friday, where staff eat pizza and throw out story ideas. She’s also excited to get new writers engaged in the process.
📣 The Nutgraf is seeking sponsors for the newsletter this semester. Please reach out to nutgrafnews@gmail.com to learn more about how we can work together!
Story Spotlight:
⚖️ The Stanford Daily filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging immigration laws that allow the government to revoke non-citizens’ visas for protected speech.
🔎 Former high school journalists in Kansas sued Lawrence Public Schools, alleging the district’s use of an AI surveillance tool violates student privacy, including intercepting their newspaper’s work before publication.
⛔ As an opinion editor for the Columbia Daily Spectator during a historic year of campus protests and federal scrutiny, this student journalist saw firsthand how their peers navigated censorship fears, administrative pressure and growing national attention.
📰 The University of Central Oklahoma is ending the print publication of its student newspaper, The Vista. The news outlet has no strategy in place for the publication to immediately go all digital.
📝 NPR’s public editor: Here’s how student journalists can learn to choose words like the pros.
Featured Opportunities:
The Associated Press is seeking an Indigenous Affairs Reporting Fellow. Apply before Sept 2.
Submissions are open for the 2025 Society of Environmental Journalists Awards. Student journalists can submit before Sept 2.
The Barbed Wire is looking for a Trending News Fellow in Texas. Apply before Sept 5.
Words Without Borders is looking for a remote 2025-26 education fellow. Apply before Sept 14.
The Student Press Law Center is holding a briefing on everything you’ll need to know for the year ahead Sept 16.
Chicago Tribune is hiring candidates for six-month paid internships starting in July 2026. Apply by Sept 19.
PBS News Student Reporting Labs is seeking high school students for its 2025-26 Student Advisory Team. Apply before Sept 19.
The Financial Times is offering students in Grades 10–12 around the world the chance to become a Student Advocate. They must be nominated by Oct. 13.
Montgomery Community Media is looking for an intern this fall.
Retro Report is looking for a fall audience engagement intern for the fall in NYC.