Apply here to be a Correspondent with The Contemporary.

The Contemporary’s correspondents are a diverse set of college students who investigate critical issues in their communities across the country. Our startup publication has collaborated with 35 campuses to present unique reporting to our readers. We have reported on topics such as the opioid epidemic’s impact on a Vermont community, Central American asylees detained in Texas, and food insecurity on college campuses.

It’s time for students to report not only on campus, but off campus as well. A local community’s infrastructure is often built upon a foundation of local papers, and The Contemporary proposes that student journalists should build a new model of local news given the decline of traditional outlets.

We believe in empowering collegiate journalists nationwide to engage in long-form investigative reporting that deeply assesses critical issues in local communities. College students have a unique opportunity to create compelling journalism because of their perspective and position within communities. Given the decline in local newspapers and immense reduction in journalists covering local issues, young reporters can help fill the gap.

Consider pitching us a story and we’ll pay you to report it.

We are looking for new contributors on an ad-hoc basis during the Spring semester. Correspondents will develop story ideas with The Contemporary’s editorial team and report on topics of their interest. Correspondents will be responsible for meeting deadlines set jointly with editors, helping to find photographs and/or graphics for their stories, and adhering to a code of journalistic ethics.

Correspondents will be paid a base of $100 per article and earn incentives based upon audience engagement. If you are interested in pitching a story, please complete this form. We will consider submissions on a rolling basis, but our spaces will soon fill up! The Contemporary team looks forward to working with you.