ChulaVista.com wants students to leave with more than volunteer hours. We want student contributors to build a portfolio of real published work, learn how local reporting is produced and develop practical skills they can carry into journalism, communications, marketing, data, technology and public-service careers.
What students can do
- Report on neighborhood and community stories
- Cover local businesses, restaurants, events and culture
- Interview residents, founders, educators and public officials
- Help research city records, public data and local history
- Create photography, video, maps and data-driven explainers
- Assist with fact-checking, SEO, publishing and audience development
What students receive
- Published bylines when appropriate
- A public contributor profile
- Portfolio-ready links to completed work
- Editorial feedback and coaching
- Exposure to real-world publishing workflows and deadlines
- Opportunities to develop specialty beats over time
Southwestern College and other local schools
We are especially interested in building relationships with students and faculty at Southwestern College and other South Bay schools. Journalism, communications, business, marketing, design, photography, computer science, data and GIS students may all have meaningful roles.
Standards still apply
Student work is held to the same core standards for accuracy, attribution, transparency and conflicts of interest as other editorial work. Students are never expected to know everything on day one; editors are expected to teach, review and help contributors improve.
Interested students or faculty members can use our Contact page and identify the message as a student opportunity or academic partnership inquiry.