Students are encouraged to join the American Society News Editors Youth Journalism Initiative Student Advisory board for the 2015-16 school year.

The Student Advisory Board, made up of more than 120 students from across the country, discusses current events, academic challenges, the evolving journalism industry and other topics in a private Facebook group, which is moderated by ASNE Youth Journalism Initiative staff. The group helps students to learn from one another and gives SchoolJournalism.org staff a clear picture of what it’s like to be a student journalist.

“As a member of the inaugural Student Advisory Board, I found my position to be very helpful,” said Katie Atkinson, a former board member who is now a freshman at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where she plans on majoring in journalism. “I found that, through online discussions in particular, I was able to strengthen my connections in the journalism world. I was able to get acquainted with student journalists across the nation, and I am sure that I will utilize some of these connections in the future.”

The 2013 board members had the opportunity to participate in a press call with White House officials regarding the First Lady’s trip to China. They also served as panelists in a live chat about journalism ethics during an online screening of “A Fragile Trust,” hosted by PBS.

Shane Rabinowitz, a former member, said the Student Advisory Board gave him the opportunity to participate in journalism environments that he wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. He was one of the former board members who participated in the White House press call.

“We were able to work with professionals and adults and observe the journalism field fully,” said Rabinowitz, who is studying broadcast journalism at the University of Maryland in College Park.

“I would definitely recommend joining the Student Advisory Board to any aspiring journalist,” Atkinson said. “If you are willing to give your time to the board, it can be a very rewarding experience.”

Student Advisory Board members must be older than 13 and enrolled in secondary school. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Click here to apply!