Featuring Samantha Ragland, faculty at Poynter

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As many people consider canceling their holiday travel plans due to the devastating surge in COVID-19 cases, it can feel tenuous to commit to anything too far in the future. Why get your hopes up? But I’ve found that one way to cope with this kind of micro-loss is to give yourself something to look forward to. For many managers, Poynter’s Leadership Academy for Women in Media

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could be that beacon. For other Cohort subscribers, it might be the possibility of a new job, fellowship program or even scholarship.

Submitting an application is the first step. I asked Poynter faculty Samantha Ragland to share her formula for putting together a strong application for our leadership academy (the deadline to apply is Nov. 30!), but her advice could work for any opportunity you’re eying in 2021.

Something good could be around the corner. Keep the faith, y’all.

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— Mel Grau, editor, The Cohort



What makes a strong application?

By Samantha Ragland

I still remember my application for Poynter’s 2016 Leadership Academy for Women in Media

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. I remember finishing it and immediately walking to my boss’ office, closing his door and, almost through tears, saying, “Clay, I’m a complete failure and I just realized it.”

He was shocked. I was referring to the digital project I had just written about for the application. I didn’t realize how much I had failed in my very brief tenure as a professional journalist and digital strategist until that moment.

Clay responded by pulling up his reference letter and reading the following:

“After less than a year at The (Palm Beach) Post, Samantha applied for a Social Media Producer position and came to the interview so prepared that we had no choice but to promote her on the spot. Her path from newbie to expert was dizzyingly swift, and soon she was leading social media seminars for audiences both inside and outside the organization.”

You aren’t a failure, he said. I submitted my application shortly after, and, much to my surprise, I got in.

As this column was coming together, Kelly McBride, Poynter’s senior vice president and an OG academy reviewer, faculty and coach, reminded me: “Not everyone has this, but I really look (into the application) for someone who has a champion or a sponsor. The reason for this is that it's really hard to get anywhere on your own. If you don't have a champion, you're not going to be as effective.”

Clay was that for me. My question: Who is that for you?

Today’s Cohort column, like the others, is coming from experience — as a participant, applicant reviewer and faculty member. And just for you, I’ve spoken with some of Poynter’s finalist judges about what makes a strong application. If you can tick off each item on the checklist below after completing your application, I assure you, you can submit with the confidence of the dope-ass woman leader you are. Let’s get to it!

My checklist for nailing the Poynter Leadership Academy for Women application

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1. I am vulnerable.

TL;DR — Your application should be honest and self-reflective.

We often get applications filled with examples of excellence. On one hand, this is great as you know we women can have a hard time bragging about ourselves. But on the other, it makes it hard for Poynter’s panel of judges to see what opportunities for growth the cohort can help with.

It’s important for you to know that this program is built for you — your whole self. And each cohort is special, bringing different strengths and weaknesses to the table, all of which complement one another. The goal of this program is for you to graduate with a group of women you can trust, lean on and celebrate with.

For Poynter, our job is to build a unique but complementary cohort and then hold space for you and your members to, well, be you. In order to do this, we look for our applicants to be vulnerable throughout their application. Ask yourself: How is my application revealing my leadership story

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?

2. I am a leader with capacity to fill, and my reference letter expresses this.

TL;DR — Your reference letter offers a glowing but constructive take.

The recommendation letter is such an important part of the application.

“You want a reference who will highlight your current influence as a leader — regardless of title — and who has a vision for where you might go in your career,” said Poynter’s head of diversity and training, Doris Truong. “The best references are familiar with your work and your style as a colleague. They also know the areas in which you need to grow — whether that's being more confident about your ideas or being more adept at communicating.”

For those of you who aren’t yet in a managerial role

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, this reference letter ought to forecast that future and how you’ve displayed some of the skills already.

Note: With the number of applications we received last year, we're no longer accepting multiple reference letters, so keep in mind that the best references, according to Truong, are “also people who will be able to provide feedback as you continue in your career.”

Doris Truong, Poynter director of training and diversity, teaches a variety of sessions (and leads some of the best social activities!) during Poynter’s leadership academies. (Sara O’Brien)

3. I know how this academy will help me grow.

TL;DR — You kept it real with how you want to develop as a leader.

Did you know we start each academy experience with a 360-degree feedback session all about how others see you and interpret your leadership style? We do this to ensure self-awareness is at the foundation of the experience. Everything builds upon this foundation, which is why it is important to weave your own sense of self-awareness throughout your application.

Without beating yourself up, be honest about your opportunities to grow. Listen, none of us are perfect, and for the application, we’re looking for women who go beyond the hype of this program and dig into why it truly is the best fit for them right now.

4. I am not an imposter. I’m the real deal. *submit*

TL;DR — You got this. You did that. Own it all. The end.

It can be hard to translate confidence

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into typed words, but hey, we never said the application wasn’t challenging. Academy faculty and Poynter's Locally editor, Kristen Hare, breaks it down like this:

"Claim what you did. We (judges) don't know that you wrangled 15 people (and their egos) to cover that project unless you tell us. We don't know that piece your reporter won awards for went through months of guidance and edits and has your touch all over it unless you tell us.”

She adds, “If you're still feeling uncomfortable claiming what you did, just picture Brad (or Brett, or Chad, or whatever white guy you work with who has no problem claiming what he did). Be Brad."

This item is on the checklist because I want you to be able to submit with authority and in power. You are talented and deserving, and I know I speak for all of the Poynter judges and alum when I say, we want you to complete your application, read it back and say this statement with pride — even joy: “I am not an imposter. I’m the real deal.”

Good luck! And remember, digitalwomenleaders.com

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has dozens and dozens of Poynter alum (myself included) offering free coaching. Plan to sign up to get feedback on your application before you submit.

One last thing: The deadline is Nov. 30 for all three 2021 academies.

Thanks to this week’s sponsor, the WW Higher Education Media Fellowship

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. It supports U.S. journalists interested in learning more about and covering issues related to post-secondary career and technical education (CTE). The Fellowship is a six-month, non-residential reporting fellowship which includes $10,000 in funding. Applications are open through December 11.

Sam’s sources of energy and inspiration. You can follow her at @sammyragland

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What are you looking forward to that’s not work related?

Decorating for Christmas … I’ve actually been holding off since Halloween, but after getting the cutest sand-snowman in the mail the other day, I just can’t wait any longer. It’s going down — this weekend!

What’s your best pandemic-era purchase?

Hands down, my Schwinn Hybrid. It’s navy, pink and gold. I love riding that baby to the beach, with my chocolate drop of a husband always on my left! ​​​​​

Who has been your best mentor and why?

Mary Ellen Miller, MEM for short. She was my poetry professor at Western Kentucky University and mentor during college and many years after I graduated. MEM taught me to never give the feedback “this is great,” and to always share when a line struck me as “lovely.” Because of her, I learned the importance of constructive — not destructive — criticism. I learned that words will fail and that pigeon-holing myself into a cannon is an injustice to the work. Sure, I’m a Black writer and a woman writer and a Kentucky writer — but never independently of one another. She taught me to own this, to be proud and to fight to collectively hold these spaces. Rest in heaven, Mrs. Miller

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As Sam referenced, there are dozens of graduates from both Poynter’s and ONA’s leadership programs who volunteer their time to provide mentorship to other women in media through Digital Women Leaders. Here are a few mentors who can help you apply for new opportunities in 2021:

Melissa Stasiuk

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, head of programming at The Globe and Mail. She manages a team of 15 journalists who identify daily news priorities and optimize content for homepage, SEO, newsletters, social media and the newspaper. Melissa can coach on resumes, cover letters and boosting confidence.

Rachel Rohr

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, director of training and service at Report for America. She was previously managing editor of The GroundTruth Project, managing producer of the GroundTruth podcast and tour guide at the Vatican(!). She can coach on fellowship and scholarship applications.

Anne Godlasky

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, Nieman fellow at Harvard University. Previously, she worked at USA Today for 14 years on breaking news, audience engagement, big projects and most recently as a news enterprise editor. She can coach on fellowship and scholarship applications, as well as navigating work when life is hard.

FIND YOUR MENTOR

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Clarification: In the last edition of The Cohort, I highlighted the new Latinas in Journalism Mentorship Program

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in this space. Thanks to Cohort subscriber Lynnette for pointing out that the program was actually founded by Andrea González-Ramírez

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and inspired by Rebecca Aguilar. My apologies for the mistake. And I hope you check out the site!

What is it that you’re looking forward to? Reply to this email or find me on Twitter @Mel_Grau

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. I recently signed up for a six-week spiritual reading class online, and the first session is tonight. It’s been so comforting to have something on the calendar come to fruition! That is the beauty of online learning.

(If you’re worried that Poynter’s leadership academy will get canceled because of the pandemic, please know that we are fully prepared to host the program virtually like we did in 2020.)

Are you considering applying for ONA’s Women’s Leadership Accelerator, too? Check out their FAQ for tips to nail the application process

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and learn more about how the two programs are connected

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Last time I checked in

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was Election Day. I know that online harassment and toxicity have ratcheted up in the aftermath, so I want to remind you about Vita-Activa’s post-election mental health task force

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and this free class from the Knight Center and International Women’s Media Foundation

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that teaches journalist defense strategies for online harassment.

And as Samantha Ragland wrote in another story for Poynter about understanding trauma and practicing digital wellness

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, “You don’t have to be on the frontlines of 2020 to experience trauma, stress and burnout.” So no matter your role, it’s very much OK to listen to your body and take steps to care for yourself.

Be well,

Mel

Clarification: I used the phrase "12 women who cover politics" in the subject line and lede of the most recent edition of The Cohort, but one of the people I featured in the article is trans nonbinary and does not identify as a woman. I regret not doing my due diligence and apologize if anyone felt excluded or ignored by this inaccuracy.

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. I also like snail mail:

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