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At rabble.ca, we’re not just creating content, we’re building independent journalism. We work with new contributors and mentor young journalists. We asked some of our former interns how their work with rabble has contributed to their careers in journalism.

With a federal election approaching, rabble.ca is more important than ever. We write and report on material that goes unrecorded and unreported in the mainstream media. Offering training and mentorship for reporters is part of the important work that we do.

We’re in the middle of our summer fundraiser, and since you’re the people who support us, we thought you might want to hear from rabble writers themselves why it is that they continue to commit their time and energy to producing the wonderful content we feature on the site.

Join our #WIN2015 campaign today.

Here is what the reporters who’ve worked with us have to say about rabble.ca’s influence on their work today.

1. Manitoba’s Leif Larsen was part of the the rabble podcast network in 2012. He’s now an associate producer with CBC Radio in Winnipeg. Here’s what he told us about how rabble.ca helped his work in journalism.

How does the Editor-in-Chief of a student newspaper break into radio?

I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon the rabble podcast network internship. Meagan Perry introduced me to the tools and walked me through the process of taking a raw piece of tape and creating a podcast; complete with introductions, cross fades, theme and more. 

When my internship ended I had a portfolio to present, and a bank of skills I would never have otherwise had the opportunity to develop. That experience was critical to me landing an internship at CBC Radio in 2012. 

Today, as an associate producer with CBC Manitoba’s current affairs unit, I use the fundamentals I honed at rabble on a daily basis. Every time I write a script, edit tape or listen for clips I am amazed by how well the internship prepared me for a career in radio. 

rabble.ca turns out journalists with expertise reporting on progressive issues. If you believe in a balanced media diet, you have to agree that our work is important and needs to continue. You can chip in right now at rabble.ca/donate.

2. rabble.ca is the one of the few media outlets in Canada with a position dedicated to reporting on the labour beat. H.G. Watson, who worked with rabble.ca in 2013 and 2014, was the first reporter in Canada to address the issue of precarious work. Her work is even featured in a textbook, Industrial Relations. Here’s what she had to say about her work at rabble.ca.

About a week after I started at rabble.ca, I found myself on the phone with then-Canadian Auto Workers National President Ken Lewenza.

It’s not many jobs that would have you interviewing a top union leader as an introductory activity. But that’s what it was like being rabble’s labour beat reporter — right from the get-go, I had the chance to interview labour leaders, both official and unofficial, from right across Canada. 

During the 10 months I worked for rabble, I gained invaluable experience as a reporter, which led me to the job I have today. And best of all — I got paid for it. I was able to complete an internship and buy groceries.

That’s what supporting rabble.ca means. You are not only supporting a unique voice in the Canadian media landscape, but helping to support young reporters and writers who are just starting their careers. And whether those reporters continue to write for rabble or move onto other outlets, their experience will have a lasting impact that will go with them wherever they work.

Your support will empower progressive voices.

3. Miriam Katawazi worked with rabble.ca for a summer, reporting extensively on the Free Gaza movement and the government’s “cruel and unusual” changes to refugee health care. This August, she’s headed for the U.K., to be part of CBC’s London Bureau internship. Here are her thoughts on why you should support rabble.ca. 

My summer with rabble.ca equipped me with the necessary skills and media experience to write about social justice and human rights in Canada and around the world. The supportive editorial staff encouraged investigative reporting that questioned and held to account existing power structures. rabble.ca focuses on the people affected by social, economic and political decisions.

rabble.ca enables its writers to report on issues and perspectives often ignored in mainstream media. Because of this, the role it plays in our media landscape is immeasurable. 

Throughout the month, we’ll be checking in with more rabble.ca writers and contributors. Find out why they love rabble.ca and why you should contribute to the #win2015 campaign. 

There’s more — become a monthly supporter at $8/month or more and you will get a bonus thank-you gift of your choice: the Best of rabble 2015 edition, or Karl Nerenberg’s Harper vs. Canada.

Or Support us with a donation of $25 or more and you will be entered into a draw to win dinner in Ottawa and a private tour of Parliament when the new Parliamentary session resumes with award-winning journalist and rabble’s Parliamentary correspondent, Karl Nerenberg.  

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.