Beat Reporter (Volunteer)

Are you an experiencedBeat Reporterwho is currently sidelined but eager to get back into the news game? Are you a fan of nonprofit journalism and also financially comfortable at the moment? AtWhoWhatWhy,we have a unique model where we compensate for the tough funding challenges of being a small, scrappy nonprofit by combining a largely voluntary team with a small core of paid pillar personnel. Right now, we cannot afford the sort of salary required for a top flightBeat Reporterbut we’re willing to work with the right person over time to convert to some compensation. However, we want to be candid that we may never be able to compete fully on that front, so we’re really looking for someone whose primary motivation is to do what they love.

We have a greatBeat Reporterbut need a second person to share the role. If you can commit 15 hours a week or more on a flexible schedule, we’d love to hear from you. WhoWhatWhy.orgis a nonpartisan, agenda-free news organization. Not left-wing, not right-wing, not consensus-seeking, we report the truth, whatever it is. We approach each story with an open mind, boundless curiosity, and a willingness to dig deep beneath the surface— and don’t back away in the face of pressure from powerful institutions and groupthink.

Age does not matter. We have among us young students, vibrant retirees, and everything in between, from all walks of life.

Join us!

Responsibilities
Contribute writing and sources to a dedicated beat
Interview experts and conduct in-depth research on the beat
Present story ideas, follow leads, and find the topics no one else is talking about
Write solo-authored feature articles and work collaboratively with beat team members to produce multiple-author stories
Keep your finger on the pulse (pun intended!) of your beat in the United States and around the world
Participate and engage with the team, keeping open lines of communication through email, Slack, and by attending regular team meetings

Minimum Qualifications

Experience as a writer, reporter or editor at a media organization, university club, or related field
Experience with a variety of reporting formats, such as online news, social media, and audio-visual
An insatiable appetite for your beat’s subject and a passion for journalism
Excellent writing skills
A solid grasp of— and commitment to— our mission
Demonstration of a collaborative spirit and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
Bachelor’s degree and/or comparable experience in biomedical sciences and journalism