Jamaica: Volunteer Journalism Internships and Work-Experience

Whether you are already working as a journalist or are contemplating journalism as a career or university option, our voluntary Journalism placement in Jamaica offers you the chance to gain some fantastic work experience whilst living in one of the most vibrant countries in the Caribbean.

Volunteers have the opportunity to do a combination of print, radio or television journalism. You will get the chance to put together a portfolio of work, as well gaining broadcasting or production experience.

On a standard Journalism placement you will spend two days at the office where you will work on the print component, and go to the Northern Caribbean University for the remaining 3 days for the radio/TV work.

You will gain an insight into the workings of the media in a new cultural and political setting and ultimately gain invaluable work experience that will increase your prospects in a highly competitive job market.

Print Journalism in Jamaica with Projects Abroad

Working alongside a member of local staff, you will compile short stories based on your topic of interest, comparing them against a writing checklist developed by our Journalism staff. Other areas you will be involved in are conducting audience analysis, feature writing, interviewing techniques, and researching the role of print journalists in Jamaica.

There are always lots of things going on in and around Mandeville, so you will never be short of a story. Whether you are reporting on a strike, interviewing a local politician or attending a function, your knowledge of Jamaica and its people will grow along with your confidence.

You may also have the opportunity to observe a day or two at a small local magazine. At the end of your placement you will have built up a portfolio of your work in Jamaica that you can take back with you to your home country.

Radio and Television Journalism in Jamaica with Projects Abroad

Volunteers work at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) radio and television stations, just 10 minutes from Mandeville town centre. NCU FM, which airs on the 91.1 FM band and is a member of the NCU Media Group is aired in Manchester and Clarendon with plans to go island wide. NCU FM carries 24 hour programming with various programmes on health, family life, religion, news and sports, which volunteers can work on.

The programmes ‘Around the World’ and ‘International Hour’ highlight different cultures and volunteers will assist in producing these programmes. NCU TV is aired island wide on cable television. The station carries 24 hour programming, highlighting events and happenings on the campus and highlights of events in and around Mandeville. The station soon hopes to produce and air documentaries and news features. The station will give volunteers the opportunity to develop their skills in the areas of production and broadcasting.

Volunteers can get involved in the following activities:

• Learning about production by assisting with the technical activities taking place in the production department.
• Researching stories by travelling around the city and possibly nearby communities for stories, which are then written and broadcast live on air.
• Conducting interviews with local people or groups.
• Participating in discussion shows.
• Assisting in producing the programmes ‘Around the world’ and ‘International Hour’

For this project it is important that volunteers are fluent in English. The radio station broadcasts in English and you would need to be confident in writing and reading articles and compiling your own stories in order to get the most from the placement. Volunteers usually observe for the first two weeks, then depending on your abilities you may get given more hands-on tasks.

Northern Caribbean University is a Christian institution and as such volunteers will be required to comply with the rules set out by the institution.

The Journalism project is available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely on the project, please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.