Assistant Journalist Volunteer

Resilience, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the mental health of students, as well as reducing mass shootings, suicide, and depression. Resilience, Inc also works to combat declining test scores, low student engagement, and a slew of other social issues.

Our organization focuses on offering Social Emotional Learning tools to enable K-12 schools to teach emotional intelligence through five core topics; self-awareness, self-control, social awareness, relationship management, goal setting, and effective decision-making. Resilience, Inc. also provides tools for acquiring and maintaining inspiration, hope, and overall well-being.

Our mission is to teach SEL at every school in the country. It is a tough challenge, but we know “No Challenge, No Change.” If you are also concerned about children’s mental health and social being, join us! Become a member of Resilience, Inc, and help change the way schools approach mental health.

The Assistant Journalist will work closely with the Senior Advisor Journalist in crafting, conducting, and analyzing interviews with individuals who have been involved in violent incidents, such as shooters. The focus of these interviews is to explore the role emotional intelligence (EI) education and training might have played in altering their decisions. The Assistant Journalist will support in designing interview questions, coordinating interviews, and ensuring that all processes are conducted ethically and respectfully. This role requires someone with a keen interest in investigative journalism, strong research skills, and an understanding of emotional intelligence.

Function of the Position:

The Assistant Journalist will be responsible for supporting the Senior Advisor Journalist in crafting interview frameworks, conducting interviews, and analyzing responses. They will help manage the logistical aspects of the interviews, ensure ethical guidelines are followed, and assist in synthesizing the findings into meaningful reports or articles. This position provides an opportunity to develop advanced skills in investigative journalism and work on stories with significant social impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in Crafting Interview Questions: Work closely with the Senior Advisor Journalist to help develop thoughtful, probing interview questions that focus on the potential impact of emotional intelligence education on violent behavior.
• Coordinate and Schedule Interviews: Handle the logistics of interview scheduling, ensuring that interviews are conducted in a timely and respectful manner.
• Participate in Interviews: Assist in conducting interviews with individuals involved in violent acts, under the guidance of the Senior Advisor Journalist, to gather valuable insights.
• Ethical Oversight: Ensure that all interviews follow ethical journalism practices, with a strong emphasis on respect, empathy, and the protection of interviewees’ dignity.
• Research Emotional Intelligence: Conduct background research on emotional intelligence, its role in conflict resolution, and how it could be applied to violent behavior. This research will inform interview questions and help contextualize the findings.
• Collaborate with Experts: Support collaboration with mental health professionals, psychologists, and emotional intelligence experts to ensure the interviews are well-informed and scientifically sound.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Help gather, organize, and analyze the responses from interviews, identifying key themes and patterns related to emotional intelligence and violent behavior.
• Contribute to Reporting: Assist in the creation of articles, reports, or media presentations that synthesize the findings from interviews and provide new insights into the role of emotional intelligence in preventing violence.

Desired Qualifications:

• Journalism Experience: Previous experience in journalism, especially with an interest in investigative reporting, psychology, or criminal justice topics.
• Interviewing Skills: Strong interest in developing interviewing techniques and the ability to handle sensitive subjects with care and empathy.
• Understanding of Emotional Intelligence: Basic knowledge or strong interest in learning about emotional intelligence and its impact on behavior and decision-making.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage interview logistics and coordinate schedules efficiently.
• Ethical Standards: Commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in journalism, particularly in dealing with vulnerable interview subjects.
• Collaboration and Communication: Ability to work well in a team setting, collaborating with senior journalists, researchers, and mental health professionals to produce high-quality work.
• Research and Analysis: Strong research skills with the ability to gather, synthesize, and analyze information effectively.