Entry Level Economic Development Jobs in Illinois

Business and Education reporter

Are you a curious, ambitious journalist ready to develop expertise on two of the issues that matter most to local communities? The Telegraph is seeking a Business and Education Reporter to cover the schools, employers, institutions, and economic forces shaping life in and around Alton, Illinois, and across our portion of the Metro East. 

This position is based in Alton, Illinois, on the Illinois side of the St. Louis metropolitan area. From our newsroom overlooking the Mississippi River, our journalists produce meaningful local reporting that informs readers, holds institutions accountable, and helps residents understand changes affecting their lives.

Why The Telegraph?

The Telegraph is a leader in covering Alton, Madison County and the broader Metro East region. Our newsroom values original reporting, strong community connections and journalism that goes beyond announcements and meeting agendas.

We offer a collaborative environment where reporters can develop their beats, pursue ambitious stories, experiment with digital storytelling and grow as journalists.

Job Description

We are seeking an energetic and resourceful Business and Education Reporter to take primary responsibility for The Telegraph's coverage of K-12 education and local business.

The position will have a roughly even split between the two beats. The reporter will produce a mix of timely daily stories, explanatory journalism, enterprise reporting, and accountability work.

This is an excellent opportunity for an entry-level or early-career journalist who wants to develop strong reporting fundamentals, build expertise and take ownership of important local beats. The successful candidate will receive guidance from editors while also being expected to cultivate sources, pitch ideas and pursue original reporting. 

The reporter may occasionally assist with other coverage when newsroom needs require. 

What will you do?

• Own the Education and Business Beats: Develop authoritative coverage of K-12 schools, school districts, school boards, educators, students and families, as well as local businesses, major employers, economic development and workforce issues.
• Generate Original Reporting: Build relationships with parents, students, teachers, school employees, business owners, workers, public officials and community members. Regularly pitch stories based on source development, public records, data and firsthand reporting.
• Cover Education: Provide regular coverage of public school districts, school boards and administrators, teachers, students and families. Report on school budgets, enrollment, academic performance, staffing, curriculum, policy decisions, construction projects, consolidation proposals, potential closures and other issues affecting local schools. Follow state education policies when they have meaningful consequences for districts in the coverage area. Periodically cover local higher-education institutions, including the community college, nearby private colleges and the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, when developments are relevant to The Telegraph readers.
• Cover Local Business and the Economy: Report on business openings, closures and expansions; major employers; workforce and labor issues; downtown development; public incentives; commercial development; and the local effects of broader economic changes.
• Produce Daily and Enterprise Journalism: Balance quick-turn stories with deeper reporting that provides context, identifies patterns and explains why an issue matters to readers.
• Pursue Accountability Reporting: Use public records, budgets, contracts, regulatory documents and data to examine decisions involving public institutions, taxpayer money, economic incentives and community impact.
• Cover Relevant Public Meetings: Periodically cover evening meetings, including school board sessions and government meetings involving economic development or major business decisions. File accurate, clean stories on deadline.
• Provide Useful, Audience-Focused Coverage: Produce service journalism that helps families, employees, consumers and business owners understand important changes and make informed decisions.
• Tell Stories Digitally: Use photography, video, social media and other digital tools to strengthen reporting and reach audiences across platforms.
• Collaborate: Work closely with editors, reporters, and other colleagues to produce timely and impactful journalism.
• Assist With Major News Coverage: Occasionally contribute to breaking news or general assignment coverage when another reporter is unavailable or when a major story requires broader newsroom support.

What will it take to be successful?

• Strong Writing and Reporting: An ability to write clearly, accurately, and with authority across breaking news, daily, and enterprise formats.
• News Judgment: A strong sense of what makes a compelling local story and an ability to recognize how institutional decisions affect readers.
• Beat Development: The ability to establish sources, maintain a forward-looking story calendar and develop expertise across two substantial coverage areas.
• Initiative: A self-starter who regularly pitches ideas, follows leads and pursues stories independently.
• Records and Data Skills:  Comfort reading agendas, budgets, contracts, government documents and basic datasets. Experience with public records requests is preferred.
• Organization: The ability to manage competing deadlines while balancing daily coverage with longer-term reporting.
• Collaboration: A willingness to work closely with editors and colleagues in a fast-moving, evolving newsroom.
• Published Work: A portfolio of published reporting from professional outlets, student publications or other credible news organizations.
• Education and Experience: A bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or a related field is preferred, but equivalent professional experience and a strong body of published work will also be considered.
• Digital Skills: Familiarity with digital publishing, social media, photography, video, or audience analytics is a plus. A willingness to learn new tools is essential.
• Location: The reporter must be based in the region or willing to relocate.

Our Benefits: At Hearst Newspapers we not only support our employees through personal and professional development, but we also believe in promoting each individual's physical, financial and emotional wellbeing (and that of their family).  Our industry-leading benefits include: 

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.
• Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program in most markets.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
• Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families, with paid leave for new parents.
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Be your best self with our mental wellness benefits.
• LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual's unique needs.
• Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Helping you along every step of your family journey.
• Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: We care about your pets, too - helping you keep them happy and healthy.
• And more, click here for additional benefits and details.

In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in the state of Illinois. The reasonable estimate, if hired in Illinois is $35,360. Please note this information is specific to those hired in Illinois. If this role is open to candidates outside of Illinois, the salary range would be aligned to that specific location. A final decision on the successful candidate's starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.

About the Telegraph

The Telegraph is passionate and committed to its role as the watchdog and trusted source of news, entertainment and advertising for the Alton community and the River Bend region of Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin and Greene counties in Illinois. Since its founding on January 17, 1836, The Telegraph has been the main news outlet for the region through its daily publication and now its print and online presence at thetelegraph.com. The Telegraph strives to maintain a high standard of accuracy and integrity in its reporting and has received nearly 300 awards since 1997.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories-growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms-to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action, and be inspired. 

Be a part of something bigger-Your Headline Awaits!

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