Change Consulting Earned Media Fellow Program & Job Description
The Change Fellowship Program is a paid, part-time professional development program designed to train and cultivate the next generation of earned media experts to tell stories that drive racial and social justice. During the six-month program, earned media fellows will support media relations services that Change Consulting provides to our clients. Fellows will receive professional mentorship and get hands-on experience developing earned media strategies and tactics, building media lists and cultivating relationships with members of the media, pitching stories that break through a busy media landscape, and securing media placements that honor the stories they tell.

Earned media fellows will work closely with the earned media team and the VP of Engagement on a wide range of projects and earned media initiatives for our clients, as well as ongoing, day-to-day earned media support. Fellows will be involved in everything from story gathering, identifying opportunities in the media landscape, developing media pitches, coordinating interviews with members of the media, tracking and reporting coverage, and much more.

In addition to their role on the earned media team, fellows will gain exposure to our other areas of service, including strategy, digital and content, and training and capacity, and learn how, woven together, this work lays the foundation for strong communications infrastructure that advances the change our clients wish to see in the world.

Fellows’ work, as with the work of the entire agency, will be rooted in our values: belief in the power of changemakers, the courageous and creative people who believe a better world is possible, and committed and excellent service and partnership for their success; cherished, long-term relationships with our clients and communities; racial justice, and centering all our work on the liberation of Black people and people of color; love, and bringing our whole hearts to everything we do; focus on high impact and low ego and drama; holding ourselves and our clients in the light of possibility; and believing in a world where more connection and joy is possible.

About Change Consulting

Change Consulting is a Black-owned social change communications agency based in Oakland, California. For the past 14 years, we have worked in service of and in partnership with changemakers – visionaries at nonprofits, foundations and mission-driven entities – who are committed to making justice a reality. We have a particular focus on racial justice, including criminal justice reform, economic justice, youth empowerment, social determinants of health, equitable development, and civic engagement. Our clients bring the vision and subject matter expertise, and we provide the communications counsel, strategy, and hands-on implementation support to help move key audiences to action.

Our multi-racial team has backgrounds in philanthropy, media, social enterprise, publishing, politics, advocacy, public relations, and strategic communications. Our work is rooted in the movement for racial justice; everything we do is in commitment to ending systemic anti-Black racism and making just futures possible for Black communities and communities of color.

Current and former clients include: ACLU of Northern California, Akonadi Foundation, Black Organizing Project, Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund, Essie Justice Group, Grantmakers for Girls of Color/Black Girl Freedom Fund, PowerSwitch Action, Stop AAPI Hate, The California Endowment, and more. 

What you’ll be doing:

Day-to-day responsibilities will depend on what projects and partnerships we are working on at the time of the fellowship, as well as your interests and expertise. They may include any of the following:

  • Monitor news around issue areas of focus; capturing and reporting out themes; identifying opportunities and recommendations on how best to take advantage of them
  • Build and maintain media lists focused on different issue areas, media, and markets
  • Draft press releases, media advisories, op-eds
  • Develop creative ideas for media pitches and draft pitches to share via email, phone, and social media
  • Draft talking points and other materials to prepare spokespeople for media interviews
  • Track media coverage and compile reports summarizing results for various topics, issues, and projects or clients, as well as challenges and opportunities
  • Assist with media event production, such as press conferences or briefings
  • Participate in internal meetings

In addition to regular meetings with your earned media advisor, you will also meet one-on-one with members of the Change Consulting team both to support you in your work with us, and to learn more about our services, the clients we work with, and strategic communications more broadly.

Who you are:

  • You have an interest in communications and understanding how the media industry operates, particularly in service of social justice.
  • Committed to racial justice with a demonstrated understanding of systemic issues impacting Black communities and communities of color.
  • You are a strong writer and speaker, able to communicate effectively internally with our team and externally with members of the media and clients.
  • A problem solver who isn’t afraid to ask questions, or for help, but is ready with possible answers or a path through.
  • A team player who is motivated by responsibility and delivering quality work, and has a resilient, positive attitude.
  • Committed to personal and collective progress, learning, and growing.
  • Prior experience with copywriting, press, and journalism is a plus but not required.

Our Values:

  • Changemakers. Above all, Change Consulting exists for the courageous and creative people who believe a better world is possible and take action to bring that new world to life.
  • Relationship. Everything is about relationship. We cherish our long-term relationships with our clients and communities. We strive to be a trusted thought partner, and to deliver and delight.
  • Racial justice. All of our work is for the liberation of Black people and people of color because our collective liberation and well being depends on it.
  • Love. We bring our values, beliefs and our whole hearts to everything we do. This work is personal, vital and affects our daily lives and the future of our communities.
  • Joy. Holding our clients in the light of possibility, and striving to deliver and delight, brings us joy. We do what we do because of what we’re for not just to fight what we’re against. And we believe a world with more connection and joy is possible.

All the details:

Eligibility

There is no minimum educational attainment requirement for this fellowship. However, fellows must be 18 years or older and be authorized to work in the United State.

Time Commitment

The fellowship begins on February 1, 2023, and ends on July 31, 2023. Fellows will be expected to commit to working at least 20 hours per week for the duration of their fellowship and are required to attend earned media team meetings. Fellows are also expected to be available during regular business hours for additional meetings as needed. 

Program Stipend

Fellows will be paid a stipend of $8,160 for the duration of the six-month program.

Location

Fellows must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area. While you will have the opportunity to work remotely for some of the time, we ask that you be available for in-person meetings and check-ins. You will also have the option to work out of our company’s headquarters.

Application + Deadline

Applications are due by January 20, 2023. We will conduct interviews on a rolling basis. Please apply at the link: https://forms.gle/4g3SGfaTKuKExvVa9

Equal Opportunity Employment

Change Consulting is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a diverse workforce and we value our inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals from all races, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, national origins, immigration/marital/veteran/disability statuses.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email us at operations@change-llc.com