The 2009 Digital Workshop for Young Journalists

Young people are enduring some big challenges as a result of the downturn in the nation's economy. The eight students in this year's Washington Post workshop examined this theme in different ways: the recession's impact on volunteerism, alternative summer jobs given the scarcity of employment for young people, and the impact of tight budgets on education.

Under the guidance of a handful of The Post newsroom, the students learned how to tell these stories using video, audio and photography.

Patrick Smith, 18, uses his musical talent to entertain riders outside Metro stations. (Nina Gonzalez, Naveed Siddiqui and Adam Turay for The Washington Post)

Alternative Jobs

The job market is tough, so teens are finding creative ways to make money during a recession including performing on the street and giving guitar lessons.

• Teens Create Their Own Jobs

Caryn Gordy feels strongly about her volunteer work at the Capital Food Bank. She has been doing it for years. (Nikki Kaul and Aishwarya Venkat for The Washington Post)

The Recession's Silver Lining

Even though the recession is making life difficult for many, the times have spurred some young people to volunteer to help others.

Budget Blues
Principals talk about education during tough times. (Hojung Lee, Lynda Nguyen and Alexandra Vinci for The Washington Post)

Without question the economy has affected how we run schools in Loudoun County...Has it impacted families? Yes. Has it impacted the school curriculum and our success? Probably less.

--Paul Vickers
Principal, Mill Run Elementary School in Loudoun County

About the Project:

Students Examine Youth and the Recession

Eight Washington-area high school students spent five days at The Washington Post learning about multimedia journalism, gathering content and creating this report. Meet the students who comprised the 2009 class of The Washington Post Digital Workshop for Young Journalists.

2008 Workshop | 2007 Workshop