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Help Amanda Kari McHugh Advance Her Journalism Career!
Hi everyone,
I’m Amanda Kari McHugh, and I need your help to seize some unexpected but exciting opportunities that could be pivotal for my career. Unfortunately, I’m just a bit short on the funds to make it all happen.
The Expenses:
$100 by 9/9/24, $650 by 10/31/24*
Tax Deductible Donation Page: https://donate.uniondocs.org/campaigns/amanda-mchugh-pod-pod/
I was just accepted into Union Docs' prestigious Pod-Pod, a 15-week incubator for audio creators! While I received a 50% scholarship, I still need to cover the remaining $750 by October 15.
This is a huge opportunity for me to work with renowned audio professionals—including a producer from This American Life—to develop a podcast based on my recent capstone project. This series will explore how stunt professionals are impacted by AI and 3D scan technology. I’ve already conducted extensive interviews and research, and this program will provide the mentorship, resources, and community I need to bring this story to life as a compelling six-episode podcast.
2. Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) CAMP
$500 by 9/12/24
JAWS is a national organization supporting women in journalism. I've been active with them since February and was excited to attend their annual CAMP conference (Sept 12-15). While I received a grant to cover most of my expenses, I need to front the cost of my flight and additional expenses, such as meals and rides, which I estimate at $500. This event is a significant networking opportunity, and I’ll also be photographing it, which could help showcase my skills to others in my field.
3. Camera Repair
$374 Needed ASAP
My camera, which I rely on for professional photography work , needs urgent repair. This expense is crucial for me to continue earning from photography, including at the upcoming JAWS conference, where I hope to gain new clients and contacts.
4. LLC Registration Fees
$158 by 9/25/24
My company, What Now? Productions LLC, is registered in New York, and I contract all my personal projects under this LLC for legal protection (especially important for non-fiction content). The $158 renewal fee is due by 9/25, and I need to pay it to keep my LLC active and stay protected against any potential lawsuits.
*Tax-Deductible Option: If you’d like your donation to be tax-deductible, UnionDocs is creating a separate GoFundMe page where funds will go directly to them. Since they are a non-profit, any donation to that page can be written off!
The Backstory:
I recently completed a double master’s in Engagement Journalism and Journalism with an Arts & Culture concentration, graduating with an impressive portfolio that includes viral projects and successful audio internships. I made a conscious choice to focus entirely on my education, living off student loans that now total over $100k, along with an additional $15k in credit card debt.
In the months leading up to graduation, I dedicated myself to job applications and came close to landing two major roles but fell short. Since then, I’ve been hustling to make ends meet—working at a couple of restaurants, pet-sitting, and receiving minimal food assistance from HRA. However, this leaves me with little time to pursue opportunities that align with my career goals.
Why I Need Your Help:
These opportunities are critical for my growth and success in journalism and audio storytelling. They will help me build my network, develop my skills, and create impactful work that can open doors in my industry. But I can't do it alone—I need your support to cover these immediate expenses so I can focus on moving my career forward.
Other Ways to Help:
I’m also looking for a job in journalism or production, or a flexible, remote position that pays at least $800 a week. If you know of any full-time positions in journalism or media, or any remote opportunities in areas like prompt engineering, social media marketing, copywriting, or video editing, please let me know!
Your support—whether through donations, job leads, or just sharing this post—means the world to me. Thank you for believing in me and helping me take these next steps in my career.
With gratitude,
Amanda Kari McHugh
Organizer
Amanda McHugh
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY