The Guardian launched its first editorial fellowship program in 2015 and is working to grow and expand this fantastic opportunity. The program is a full-time, six month opportunity for recent journalism graduates and provides individuals practical work experience in a busy and creative newsroom environment. The Fellows are able to work closely with more experienced journalists to learn how the newsroom operates within the Guardian, what makes a good story and how it is delivered and subsequently received by our audience.
This years fellows are working on our News and Audience desks. The Breaking News Fellows work with the news desk on live news stories, helping to research, report and write pieces. Our Engagement Fellow works on the audience team to help promote our news content to readers across the US by identifying trends, promoting stories through social media and feeding back to the wider newsroom each day.
Read the bios below to hear from the fellows themselves what it is like to participate in this program. More information will be provided soon regarding how to apply and get involved at the Guardian.
Mahita Gajanan
Mahita Gajana recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh where she studied English Literature, Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies and Spanish. While there, Mahita wrote for and edited The Pitt News, the university's daily student newspaper. Before coming to the Guardian, she reported on local and breaking news for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Currently, she enjoys reporting on breaking news because it provides the chance to write about multiple topics in one day. Mahita wanted to come to the Guardian for this reason, and because she has always admired the paper's irreverent tone and breadth of coverage. She plans to become a full-time reporter.
Ellen Brait
Ellen Brait received her master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and her bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University where she was editor-in-chief of The Johns Hopkins News-Letter. Previously, she interned at Vogue, the Baltimore City Paper, and the Walrus. She was attracted to the Guardian by its unparalleled reputation for editorial excellence and fearless reporting. Her fellowship has taught her that the news never sleeps and based on the always energetic newsroom environment, neither does the Guardian!
Ryan Kincaid
Ryan Kincaid is a fellow on the audience team. He graduated from Miami University with an undergraduate degree in Diplomacy and Global Politics and from the London School of Economics with a graduate degree in European Studies. Having studied in London, Ryan was very familiar with the Guardian's exceptional work and commitment to open journalism in the UK. He highly values the company's identity as the world's leading liberal voice and focus on being "digital first," and it was these qualities that attracted him to apply for a position on the team once he moved back to the United States.
Prior to his fellowship at the Guardian, Ryan interned at BuzzFeed, where he created content for the site's popular Food page – pieces like "12 Classic Love Scenes Improved By A Chipotle Burrito". Writing creative, viral lifestyle content was great but he wanted to get more experience working in a fast-paced newsroom. Therefore, Ryan applied to the audience fellowship to see what engages readers and learn more about strategies that promote active readership online.
