High school students have the opportunity to delve into the world of journalism at the 46th annual Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop this summer at the Missouri School of Journalism.

In 1971, Dr. Robert Knight created the workshop, which has turned into one of the longest-running workshops in the nation for high school students. With the help of the Dow Jones News Fund, Inc., the Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop was started to encourage students of all backgrounds to consider careers in journalism.

“They definitely get a real taste of what it’s like to be a journalist,” Anna Romero, MUJW director, said of the workshop participants.

Romero said students’ writing and interviewing skills greatly improved after participating in the nine-day intensive workshop. She also said many students who have worked at past workshops have gone on to work in the journalism industry.

During the course of the workshop, students, guided by professional journalists, get the opportunity to create stories for the Urban Pioneer. Workshop participants also produce content for the Columbia Missourian and KOMU TV-8, the local NBC affiliate.

Romero said the workshop helps push high school students out of their shells and transforms them into hard-working journalists.

“The whole goal of a workshop like this is to have a diverse group of students who are working in the production aspect, and faculty, staff, and visiting journalists, but also to talk to people in the community who normally don’t get interviewed,” Romero said.

During previous workshops, high school students have produced stories, photos and broadcast that cover a variety of different topics. During the 2015 workshop, eighteen students reported on stories relating to the income gap and poverty, including the face of hunger in Columbia. In the past, workshop participants have also covered food consumption, the changing environment and remembering the attacks of 9/11.  Romero said this year’s theme will be decided on soon.

The Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop is open to all high school students. The workshop typically accepts between 18 and 20 juniors and seniors in high school. Workshop participants live in the University of Missouri residence halls during their stay.

This year’s workshop will be held from July 9 through July 17. Students who participate in the workshop are funded by scholarship and are selected based on a competitive application process. Applications are due April 15. For more information on the workshop or how to apply, please visit their website or email [email protected]

For a list of other workshops for teachers and workshops for students, please visit SchoolJournalism.org.