From Student to Storyteller: Co-Media Might Be Your Best First Step
That was the dream, back when I’d just finished high school. I wanted to be a documentary filmmaker. The kind who pops up between sand dunes on National Geographic or crouches by ancient ruins on Discovery Channel.
So I did what made sense: I applied to the Journalism program at Babeș-Bolyai University — FSPAC — and joined the German-language section. I figured, “If I’m going to tell stories, might as well tell them in more than one language.”
And honestly? It was magic.
The buzz of handheld recorders in the classroom. The sound of shutters clicking during our first field assignments. Teachers who didn’t just teach theory but pushed us out into the real world — streets, protests, neighborhoods, lives.
I learned how to craft stories, but more importantly, I discovered what kind of stories mattered to me. I fell in love with video editing, photojournalism, and everything in between.
My Erasmus semester in Essen was another turning point. I interned at a local TV station where I learned what it meant to work in a real newsroom. The hum of monitors, the stress before live broadcasts, the editorial debates in the break room — I soaked it all in.
Then I came home.
And everything… got quiet.
When Reality Doesn’t Roll Credits
It was 2011. I had no network. No gear. No paid gigs lined up. The world wasn’t exactly opening its arms to a fresh journalism graduate.
So I pivoted — reluctantly — into marketing. And while that path gave me stability, it never quite filled the creative space I’d carved out for myself during those university years.
I still tried. I even launched a grassroots radio project called Lauschbox with a few friends. We dreamed of broadcasting local stories from Cluj in multiple languages — German, English, Hungarian, French. It felt radical, exciting.
We recorded from kitchens, borrowed microphones, edited in our bedrooms. But eventually, motivation fizzled. And it wasn’t the “pirate” part that killed it — it was the energy required to keep going when it felt like no one was listening.
But that silence? It didn’t mean the stories stopped. They were still out there. Waiting.
Welcome to Co-Media — A Place for Future Storyteller
Today, with Paul and Dorin, we run Co-Media, a nonprofit platform where community, media, and innovation converge.
And this is where you come in.
We’re looking for young media-makers, writers, photographers, and filmmakers who still believe stories have the power to change things. If you’re a student, a recent grad, or just someone with a story burning inside, we want to work with you.
Whether it’s a photo essay on rural youth, an article about language diversity, or a short doc about your grandmother’s stories — we’re here to support it. And to support you.
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need the latest equipment. You just need curiosity, integrity, and the desire to say: “This is a story that matters.”
What We Offer (Beyond Buzzwords)
Creative Freedom
No deadlines. No pressure. Just the freedom to follow your curiosity and take your time shaping a story you’re proud of. Whether you’re the type to write at midnight or edit videos in your pajamas, we won’t judge. Your pace, your voice, your rhythm — we’re here for it.
Production Support
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Need help structuring a story? Want feedback on a script? Wondering how to edit out that awkward background cough in your interview? We’re here for you to pick our brains — and we promise they’re friendly brains, not the intimidating kind.
Visibility & Community
Your work won’t gather digital dust in a forgotten folder. We’ll publish your story on the Co-Media website and feature it across our social media platforms, giving it a spotlight. You’ll also have the chance to share it at small, cozy community events — think pop-up screenings, storytelling evenings, or spontaneous backyard premieres (popcorn optional, but encouraged).
Real Connection
Forget stuffy office vibes. Our meetings might happen over coffee in a sunlit café, on a slow walk through a village, on top of a hill, or next to a smoky grill. (Yes, we’ve held brainstorming sessions next to a barbecue — stories flow better when the air smells like roasted veggies.)
Think You're a Fit? Here's What You Should Know
Who We're Looking For
You’re a student or recent graduate in journalism, media, arts, or creative studies. Based in Cluj or working remotely? Both are welcome.
What We Can (and Can’t) Offer
We’re a nonprofit. That means we can’t offer money (yet), but we can offer community, guidance, and a wider platform to get your work seen and supported.
A Passion for the Local
You’re curious about local stories. Whether that means reporting from villages, documenting cultural traditions, exploring social issues, highlighting grassroots initiatives, youth perspectives, environmental topics, language diversity, or simply capturing the quiet, everyday moments that often go unnoticed — we’re here for it.
Not Everything Has to Be Serious
Got a sense of humor? Good. While some stories call for depth and sensitivity, we also welcome pieces with a light-hearted or humorous spin. Journalism doesn’t always have to be heavy — it can be clever, witty, even a little weird. (in the best way)
Our Values
We’re politically neutral. No party lines, no spin. Just honest, well-researched storytelling that respects the facts and the people behind them. We keep things down-to-earth — simple, open, and kind in how we work, how we communicate, and how we tell stories. No ego, no drama. Just people trying to make sense of the world, together.
Work Your Way
We’ll be here when you need us, but you’ll work independently 60% of the time. You’ll have a Microsoft Teams space for questions, collaboration, or just to say hi.
Be Honest About Your Time
If your time is limited, just say so. We believe in realistic expectations, so let’s stay transparent about what you can commit to.
And Last but Not Least… Have Fun
Seriously. We’re big fans of learning-by-doing, laughing through the awkward bits, and celebrating the small wins (like finally exporting that video with audio). Get to know people, ask weird questions, embrace the bloopers. What you create doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be you. Journalism can be joyful. Storytelling can be playful. And pressure? We left that at the door. (or fence)
So… Ready to Tell Your Story?
If you’re nodding along right now, maybe this is your next step.
We’re not building a traditional media house. We’re building a collective of voices — storytellers, dreamers, documentarians, community nerds — who believe the local is worth listening to.
Slide into our DMs on Instagram
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