The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is now accepting applications for the fourth annual Joseph Rago Memorial Fellowship for Excellence in Journalism. Early career journalists are encouraged to apply by Feb. 15, 2021, for this prestigious nine-month internship with The Wall Street Journal’s editorial team.
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This opportunity is open to recent college graduates and journalists with less than five years’ experience. The Fellowship recipient will have access to in-depth editorial experiences including editing op-eds, writing stories under one’s own byline, writing as part of the Journal’s Editorial Board, working with outside contributors, composing headlines and other story components, fact-checking, researching, and more.
The Fellowship was established in 2018 in honor of the late Joseph Rago, who passed away at the age of 34 in 2017.
“Joe was a treasured colleague who contributed enormously to The Wall Street Journal and set the highest standard of excellence and integrity,” said Paul Gigot, editorial page editor and vice president of the Journal. Colleagues and friends remember Joe not only for his journalism, but also for his intellectual curiosity and great capacity for friendship.
Past Fellows include Elliot Kaufman, Rago ’18, who following his internship joined the Journal full-time, where he currently serves as assistant features editor; Matthew Taylor King, Rago ’19, who is now working as former United States Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger’s research assistant; and Alessandra Bocchi, Rago ’20, who began her internship in August 2020.
Even while working remotely, I have already learned so much about the passion, diligence and commitment that is required to work at this outstanding newspaper.” – Alessandra Bocchi, Rago ’20
Bocchi believes Joe’s legacy will continue through TFAS and The Journal’s commitment to truth and intellectual integrity in journalism. During the 27th annual TFAS Journalism Awards Dinner in November, Bocchi shared that reading Joe’s work further encouraged her to pursue a career in journalism.
“While reading about Joe’s life, I was incredibly inspired by his work and his character,” Bocchi shared. “I definitely have big shoes to fill.”
Despite Bocchi’s internship being mostly virtual, she feels she has gained invaluable experience working alongside her esteemed colleagues at The Journal.
“Even while working remotely, I have already learned so much about the passion, diligence and commitment that is required to work at this outstanding newspaper,” she said.
One Rago Fellow is selected each year through an application process judged by senior editors at The Journal, senior leaders at The Fund for American Studies and the family of Joseph Rago. A recipient is announced each year at the TFAS Journalism Awards Dinner, where guests gather to celebrate the best in American journalism, and proceeds support the Joseph Rago Memorial Fellowship and the Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship programs.
Learn more about the Rago Fellowship and apply online at TFAS.org/Rago.