# Event Details - **Event Name**: Chicago Media Career Fair 2026 - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 am – Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 03:00 pm (-05:00) - **Event Description**: A day designed to help journalists strengthen their job search, make new connections, and explore opportunities across the media industry.About this EventJoin the Chicago Headline Club for the 2026 Chicago Media Career Fair — a day of practical career development, professional connections and new possibilities for journalists.Whether you’re pursuing your next role, building a freelance career or exploring a new direction, the fair will help you strengthen your job-search materials, connect with newsrooms and media organizations, and see where your journalism skills can take you next.You’ll be able to:Connect with participating newsrooms and media organizationsStrengthen your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn in a hands-on workshopGet a one-on-one resume or cover-letter reviewPractice your interview skills with experienced media professionalsExplore career paths inside and beyond newsroomsGet a professional headshotTake advantage of a 20-minute introductory career coaching sessionsTry out the Institute for Independent Journalists’ prototype freelance marketplacePlease RSVP in advance and bring a valid ID for building check-in: Chicago Media Career Fair 2026Participating organizationsBlock Club Chicago (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)The Chicago Headline ClubChicago News WeeklyThe Chicago ReaderThe Institute for Independent Journalists — freelance marketplace demoThe Investigative Project on Race and Equity (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)The Magpie Project — learn about roles beyond reporting and editingNBC ChicagoNewsNationThe OnionWGN RadioThe Windy City TimesPlan your visitThe 10:30–11:30 a.m. resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn workshop was limited to 25 participants and required a separate RSVP, though it will now be open to everyone. If you plan to join, please bring a printed resume, one job description, and a draft cover letterOne-on-one resume and cover-letter reviews, mock interviews, and headshots will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.If you plan to participate in a resume review or mock interview, please bring:Three printed copies of your resume and three printed copies of a cover letter you want reviewed (you can have both, one or the other reviewed)Three printed copies of a job description for a role you are applying to or consideringNo printing will be available at the event, so plan ahead. Free printing is available at any Chicago Public Library. Nearby paid options include FedEx at 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza and UPS at 27 N. Wacker Drive.Additional Career DevelopmentKaren Hawkins will offer 20-minute introductory career coaching sessions for journalists!Meet privately with Karen Hawkins for a 20-minute conversation about her coaching services, the support you’re looking for and whether working together could be a good fit.Facilitated by Karen Hawkins, https://www.yoursocalledlifecoaching.com/The will be hosting a tool demonstration!See a 15- to 20-minute demonstration of the Institute for Independent Journalists’ prototype freelance marketplace. Learn how editors could find available freelancers, send assignments and track pitches, while freelancers could find editors, calls for pitches and assignments. Freelancers and assigning editors can share feedback afterward.Facilitated by Jenn Kho, Tatiana Walk-Morris, and Kelly GlassThis event is made possible by Press Forward Chicago and the Field Foundation.Schedule10 a.m. | Check-in begins10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Workshop Your Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedInCasey Mendoza, president of AAJA Chicago, lead organizer of the Video Consortium Chicago Hub and a video producer at Encyclopaedia Britannica.Ryan Burrow, news director at WGN Radio.Genevieve Lill, director of search at Hearst Newspapers.11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Employer Tables and Career ServicesMeet representatives from participating newsrooms and media organizationsConnect with hiring managers and editors accepting pitchesGet a professional headshotReceive one-on-one resume and cover-letter feedbackPractice your interview skillsConnect with other journalists and media professionalsEnjoy light bites and beveragesResume reviews, mock interviews and headshots are first come, first served.12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Where Journalism Can Take You Inside and Beyond the NewsroomA conversation about career paths, transferable skills and opportunities inside and beyond newsroomsKaitlyn Jakola is editorial director for strategy and operations at Chicago Public Media.Jennifer Kho is a journalism, news, and information consultant and former Chicago Sun-Times executive editor.Kari Lydersen is an independent journalist, contributing reporter at Canary Media and journalism professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School.Richard Ray is managing supervisor at Hawthorne Strategy Group and a former journalist with NBC 5 Chicago and the Chicago Tribune.Moderated by Jillian Melero, founder and publisher of Connect Puerto Rico.2 to 2:30 p.m. | The will be hosting a tool demonstration!See a 15- to 20-minute demonstration of the Institute for Independent Journalists’ prototype freelance marketplace. Learn how editors could find available freelancers, send assignments and track pitches, while freelancers could find editors, calls for pitches and assignments. Freelancers and assigning editors can share feedback afterward.Facilitated by Jenn Kho, Tatiana Walk-Morris, and Kelly Glass3 p.m. | Career Fair closesThis event is made possible by Press Forward Chicago and the Field Foundation. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/chicago/chicago-media-career-fair-2026/100002000042619314 - **Event Categories**: workshops, sports - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 5 hours - Location: Impact House - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Chicago - **state**: IL - **country**: United States - **location**: Impact House - **lat**: 41.8822634 - **long**: -87.6344471 - **full address**: Impact House, 200 West Madison Street, Chicago, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Chicago Media Career Fair 2026 - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/13aef2173acfe262e81b0d83fed047c84bd971d8f482ba6e1ff29c6768edccd5-rimg-w1200-h600-dcc8d8e8-gmir.jpg?v=1789544290 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Chicago Media Career Fair 2026 being held? - **A:** Chicago Media Career Fair 2026 takes place on Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 am to Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 03:00 pm at Impact House, 200 West Madison Street, Chicago, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Chicago Media Career Fair 2026? - **A:** Chicago Media Career Fair 2026 is organized by Chicago Headline Club. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Chicago Media Career Fair 2026 is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Chicago, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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