Another New Associate started out at 'Dateline,' and got right to work on an undercover story being wired with a hidden camera to catch Times Square electronics stores ripping off tourists.

The News Associate Program is not a training program. We do not take people in and train them, we give deserving people with great potential a chance to build skills and gain real-world journalism experience for 10 months.

Over 75 percent of the News Associate program graduates have jobs at the network today. Many of them are assistant producers on 'Dateline,' or bookers or researchers at 'Today.' Or they work in a bureau as a coordinator, field producer or associate producer. Some have landed at MSNBC as researchers and associate producers. There is mentoring by staffers who have similar jobs and more experience. Plus there are monthly lunches featuring guests, such as the executive producers of 'Today,' 'Nightly News' or 'Dateline.'

Tapestry of Talent

This NBC News Associates program identifies aspiring journalists who bring diverse backgrounds to news production and news coverage. The program gives NBC News time to nurturing its off-camera stars by putting gifted young journalists on a producing fast track.

The program represents NBC's strong commitment to develop a diverse editorial staff within NBC. The program is designed to enhance the diversity of our news staff so it more closely resembles the audience. In addition to a variety of races and ethnicities, the program pinpoints candidates of economic and geographic diversity, as well as disabled candidates.

What We Require

It is NBC's goal to hire the most talented and diverse group of journalists into the News Associates program. We require candidates to have a bachelor or advanced degree (preferred) from a four-year college or university, in addition to strong journalism experience. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to journalism as a career, solid writing skills, ability to work successfully in a fast paced, high-pressure environment, and proven leadership skills.

The News Associates program began in 1994 and takes in 10-20 people each year. The program consists of two five-month assignments on a news program and/or in a bureau beginning on or around June or early July each year. The majority of News Associate assignments are located in New York. The program offers competitive compensation, however relocation expenses are not covered.

How to Apply

To obtain an application e-mail NewsAssociates@nbc.com, include the words 'application request' in the subject line. Please allow two weeks for an application to be emailed back to you.

Completed applications should be sent to NewsAssociates@nbc.com no later than March 1 of the calendar year, include the words 'application submittal' in the subject line.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive we regret that we will only be able to respond to those students in whom we have an interest. If you are contacted for an interview, in most cases, you will meet with a NBC News Associate regional recruiter. If all goes well, you can anticipate being invited to New York to participate in the News Associates Round Table before a final decision is made.

Applications are continually accepted throughout the year, however, please refer to the following table as a guideline for the application process:

Application Deadline - March 1st
First Round Interview - March/April
Round Table Interview/Final Selection - April/May
Start Date - Early-Mid June

If you would like further information regarding the details and/or requirements of the program, please feel free to call 1-877-212-7577. Please note this mailbox does not accept messages.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D