Summer Boost 2023

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Summer Boost

Summer is the ideal time to update your skills and hone your expertise in all things media. Why not do it with a 3-day class in the heart of the news & media industry – New York City?

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Our Summer Boosts offer not-for-credit, master classes this July at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY in Manhattan. You can focus on media transformation or engagement, or take both tracks, and refresh your knowledge with up-to-date best practices to bring back to your news organizations.

That’s the Summer Boost promise: You will learn what you need to know this year to keep up with the industry, help your news organization thrive and stay ahead in your career.

Join fellow journalists and media professionals from around the globe to check in with journalism thought leaders and innovators and ensure that you:

Stay at the cutting edge of technology and innovation
Expand your skill set and expertise
Discover New York City, the media capital of the world!
Learn from industry leaders and trailblazers
Network with top professionals
Enhance your resume

TRANSFORMATION BOOST

with Anita Zielina
July 5, 6, & 7

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ENGAGEMENT BOOST

with Niketa Patel
July 10, 11 & 12

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1. Who can apply?

Summer Intensives are open to any person, 18 or older, interested in learning new techniques and skills relevant to the news and media industry. Past participants have come from across the United States and from countries throughout the world. Please note that you are solely responsible for making your travel and lodging arrangements, including securing a visa, if needed.

Ideal candidates for the Transformation Boost are decision makers in media organizations and/or a team lead in the newsroom or in adjacent departments like product or business. Ideal candidates for the Engagement Boost are editorial, digital and audience staff in news and media companies.

2. Will I receive undergraduate or graduate credits?

3. How do I apply and pay?

Step 1 – Read the class descriptions and decide which class(es) you are interested in.

Step 2 – Complete the application. After you have completed the application, you should expect a response within 5 business days.

Step 3 – If your application has been accepted, you will receive an invitation via email with a link to pay the full fee to secure your seat. (Each class has a limit of 20 participants.) All payments must be received before April 10.

4. What is your application deadline and your refund policy?

5. What is included in the fee?

6. Is there financial aid or scholarships available?

7. As a foreign student, do I need to apply for a visa to participate?

The Summer Boosts are short-time, not-for-credit enrichment courses, and most international participants join us through the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver Program allows visa-free travel to the US, but is limited to citizens of certain countries. While no visa application is needed, you are required to have a valid ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) clearance before you leave for the US.

For more information about the Visa Waiver Program and how to submit an ESTA application, go to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/. Entry on a visa waiver is for a maximum of up to 90 days or less, and cannot be extended.

Newmark J-School is unable to provide student visas for the Summer Boosts.

8. What if English is not my first language?

9. What is your COVID policy?

There are currently no Covid-related restrictions to in-person classes at the Newmark J-School. Should new circumstances arise, we would immediately reach participants with instructions. In the unlikely event of a class cancellation due to COVID conditions or regulations affecting New York City at the time of the classes, we will offer full refunds.

Use of PPE, such as face masks, is welcome while at the school, but currently not required.

10. Any other questions?

Anita Zielina is the CEO of Better Leaders Lab, an international do-and-think tank for good leadership and strategic management in media and beyond, based in Austria. Previously, she was Director of Leadership and Innovation at CUNY’s Newmark J-School in NYC, where she ran executive education and leadership programs. Before that, she was a senior executive charged with driving digital transformation, product and business innovation in several media organizations, including Switzerland’s NZZ Media group, Germany’s Stern and Austria’s Der Standard. She is a JSK Stanford fellowship alumna, a Oxford Reuters Institute alumna, and holds a law degree from University of Vienna and an Executive MBA from INSEAD.

Niketa Patel is the senior director of Leadership Programs at CUNY’s Newmark J-School in NYC where she heads the Executive Program in News Innovation and Leadership, as well as other leadership initiatives. Previously, she was senior director of partnerships and platforms at The 19th, managed Print and Digital News Partnerships in the U.S. for Twitter, was managing director of RebelMouse’s Media Lab, and has a storied track record in digital journalism, audience development and product at CNN, ABC News, CBS News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Florida Times-Union and more. She’s on the Board of Directors of the Online News Association and has been a long time member of AAJA & SAJA.

This was such a good use of my time (and my company’s money). I’m leaving feeling motivated to make change and equipped with the tools and contacts I need to follow through on that.

This program was really helpful in helping me understand the broader industry landscape, different roles that are out there, where industry leaders are focused and what they’re thinking about. It helped me focus on where I want to take my career next.

The most impressive thing for me was the access we were given to innovative change makers and journalists from reputable organizations.

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