2025 Mind the Gap Fellowship Application

The Mind the Gap Fellowship is a paid fellowship opportunity designed for recent high school graduates who are still considering their post-graduation options.

Mind the Gap Fellows will spend a year working with SLB Radio to explore the space in between high school graduation and whatever comes next. Through this program, fellows can expect to…

…build new marketable, transferable skills. Fellows will sharpen future readiness skills (critical thinking, research, time management, collaboration, and etc.) as they receive hands-on training in media production, including audio recording, editing, and professional communications.

…invest time in meaningful career exploration. Fellows will take on a project focused on career exploration, honing their 21st century skills as they connect with local business and industry professionals.

…make new connections and help tell the stories of their peers. Fellows will work with SLB staff to facilitate networking and storytelling sessions for other young adults from across the region who are also navigating their first few years out of high school.

Each fellow will receive a $5,000 stipend (paid in quarterly installments) and will also be eligible to receive transportation reimbursement support of up to $1000 to cover the cost of public transportation, rideshare costs, and/or gas and parking fees related to their fellowship activities.

Interested in applying? You've come to the right place. We strongly encourage candidates who meet the following criteria to apply:

Have a high school graduation date between January 2022 and June 2025;
Do not anticipate being enrolled in a full-time educational program (community college, college, university, trade school, etc.) in the 2025-2026 school year;
Live in southwestern PA and able to travel on occasion to the SLB Radio Youth Media Center in Pittsburgh, PA;
Are bold and curious, with a sincere interest in connecting with, learning from, and amplifying the stories of others;
Interested in writing, podcasting, audio production, and other forms of media as a means of storytelling, documentation, and self-expression;
Can commit an average of 5 hours per week (or 20 hours a month) to fellowship-related work from July 2025 to June 2026. Fellowship activities will include a mix of virtual and in-person work (in your community, at the SLB Radio Youth Media Center, and other locations in SWPA).

Apply by filling out the form below no later than Friday, June 6, 2025. Applicants who are selected to move forward will be invited for an interview.

---

Have a question about the Mind the Gap Fellowship program? Reach out to Deanna Baringer, SLB Radio's Director of Programs, at deanna@slbradio.org.

To learn more about SLB Radio, visit slbradio.org.

Your Name*

First NameLast Name

Pronunciation, Pronouns, and/or Preferred Name (if applicable)

Your Email*

Please make sure this is an email address that you check regularly!

Your Phone Number*

Date of Birth*

Current Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Year of High School Graduation*

Name of High School*

Please mark all that apply:

I do not anticipate enrolling in a full-time educational program (such as community college, college, university, or trade school) in the 2025-2026 school year.I am interested in exploring writing, podcasting, and/or other forms of media as a means of storytelling, documentation, and/or self-expression.I am interested in growing my professional network and/or in helping to create networking opportunities for other people my age.I am looking for opportunities to explore possible career paths and would like to connect with people who are currently working in areas that I'm also interested in.I will be able to commit an average of 5 hours per week (or 20 hours per month) to Mind the Gap Fellowship activities from July 2025 to June 2026.

Short Bio: Please tell us a bit about yourself! How would you like to answer this question?*

In writing (250 words or less)Voice recording (3 minutes or less)

Short Bio: Please tell us a bit about yourself!

0/250

Short Bio: Please tell us a bit about yourself! (3 minutes max.)

Application Statement: Tell us about why you'd like to participate in the Mind the Gap Fellowship. How would you like to answer this question?*

In writing (250 words or less)Voice recording (3 minutes or less)

Application Statement: Tell us about why you'd like to participate in the Mind the Gap Fellowship.

0/250

Application Statement: Tell us about why you'd like to participate in the MInd the Gap Fellowship. (3 minutes max.)

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

0/250