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Sydney Morning Herald opens applications for 2027 trainee program

Columnist reflects on the value of early-career training as newsroom seeks new talent

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources2 outlets
The Sydney Morning Herald has called for applications for its 2027 trainee program, inviting 'smart, curious, talented aspiring journalists' to join the newsroom. The announcement, made in a column published this week by journalist Jordan Baker, generated excitement across the Nine Entertainment network.

In a column published this week, Jordan Baker, a journalist for the Herald, announced that applications are open for the newspaper's 2027 trainee program. The call for talent was also carried by The Age and WA Today, both part of the Nine network.

Baker recalled lessons from her own journalism traineeship, including the advice to always repeat a phone number on voicemail, the grammatical rule of using 'more than' rather than 'over' for quantities, and the 'rule of three' for cadence in writing. She described how trainees bring enthusiasm to the newsroom and highlighted Natassia Chrysanthos, a trainee from the class of 2018, as an example of a journalist who flourished because of her empathy and curiosity.

A photograph published with the column shows the Herald's class of 2024 trainees: Daniel Lo Surdo, Kayla Olaya, Nick Newling, Frances Howe, Penry Buckley and Cindy (Xunzhi) Yin.

The program marks a traditional pathway into journalism for early-career reporters, with the Herald seeking individuals who can pick up the phone, conduct real-life conversations, listen and ask questions.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The trainee program is a key entry point for aspiring journalists into one of Australia's major news organisations.
  • The quality of training directly affects the standard of news reporting and storytelling.
  • Applications open a rare opportunity for career development in a changing media landscape.

Background

The Sydney Morning Herald, part of Nine Entertainment, has run a journalism traineeship for many years. The program combines practical newsroom experience with formal training. Many prominent Australian journalists began their careers as Herald trainees.

Key Perspectives

Aspiring journalists: The program offers a structured entry into the industry, with hands-on mentoring and the chance to work across news, features and digital platforms. The Herald newsroom: Trainees bring fresh perspectives and energy, and the program helps sustain the pipeline of talent needed for quality journalism. Critics and observers: Some in the media industry question whether traditional traineeships sufficiently prepare journalists for digital-first newsrooms, or whether recruitment processes attract a sufficiently diverse range of candidates.

What to Watch

  • The number and quality of applications received.
  • Any changes to the program's structure reflecting digital and multimedia skills.
  • The demographic diversity of the incoming trainee class.

Sources

Zotpaper

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