Klipsun magazine hiring editor positions for spring

March 4, 2021

Western's student-run Klipsun magazine is accepting applications for editor positions through Wednesday, March 10. Ideal applicants can think critically and creatively, work hard and learn quickly in a fast-paced environment. Hiring an innovative and capable team is important to me, so I will be inclined to hire applicants who can work well on their own and under pressure. Additionally, I look forward to hiring an editorial staff that is eager to ramp up our online presence and be excited to produce a print edition that will be distributed when campus tentatively reopens in fall quarter 2021. Editors should be confident in leadership via Zoom, work well in a team setting and one-on-one with writers, and be eager to ramp up the magazine's online presence and produce a print edition that will be distributed in fall quarter 2021. 

Editor positions can be taken for either credit or pay, so it is not necessary to be a Journalism student to apply; related fields such as English, Photography and Design would also make a good fit. Applicants will need to decide whether to take a position for pay or to receive academic credit, and will need to indicate their preference on the application. Additionally, all editors should be prepared to work primarily in Google Drive for editing and Slack for communication. 

  • CREDIT: Students who wish to work in any of these positions for credit must have completed JOUR 207; JOUR 307 OR JOUR 380 as well as one periodical course. Students who wish to work for credit must be available for the synchronous class (MW 2-3:50 p.m.) and editorial meetings (1-2 hours per week).

  • PAY: Students who wish to work for pay are strongly encouraged to meet for the synchronous class (MW 2-3:50 p.m.) to meet with their writers, and are required to meet for an editorial meeting (1-2 hours per week). Students who choose to take the position for pay and are not able to attend the Klipsun class should be prepared to arrange weekly meetings with their writers at an alternate time.

Applications are due by Wednesday, March 10 at 11:59 p.m. Klipsun's Editor-in-Chief Christa Yaranon will schedule interviews via Zoom prior to this date if applications are submitted early.

The available positions are:

  • 4 Story Editors (8 hours/week)

  • 1 Multimedia & Social Media Editor (8 hours/week)

  • 1 Photo Editor (8 hours/week)

  • 1 Copy Editor (6 hours/week)

  • 1 Photographer (5 hours/week)

  • 1 Designer (5 hours/week)

  • 1 Illustrator (5 hours/week)

Story Editors

Story editors will be responsible for managing a team of writers. Applicants should be prepared to lead their writers in and outside of class, offering guidance and support. Over the course of the quarter, you will work closely with other editors and writers to produce high quality content. Applicants should have previous leadership experience and a strong understanding of writing structure, storytelling, grammar, AP style and journalistic ethics and law. Journalism training is preferred, but not required.

*Recommended: it’s encouraged that story editors take the position for credit. If taking the position for pay, it is strongly recommended that story editors make themselves available to attend the Klipsun class on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2-3:50 p.m. Story editors are expected to work closely with their teams and facilitate story circles, which occur during class time.

Multimedia & Social Media Editor 

As Klipsun continues to move in a digital direction, we are looking to be more creative with our multimedia storytelling. Our multimedia editor will work with writers and editors to produce multimedia projects throughout the quarter. They will also be responsible for keeping Klipsun’s social media (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) up-to-date and engaging. Applicants must have experience with digital/audio equipment and must be comfortable teaching writers how to create podcasts, videos, photo essays and other multimedia elements. Applicants should ideally be familiar with the platform medium.com (where we house our digital content) and the components for exceptional digital journalism.

Photo Editor

Applicants must be familiar with the field of photojournalism. The photo editor will work with writers to visually represent every piece of writing that we publish. They will work closely with the staff photographer and delegate photo assignments. Applicants must have an awareness and understanding of photojournalism ethics and law, as well as an ability to write captions in the appropriate AP style. They must have extensive experience using a DSLR camera and have a diverse portfolio of different photography styles such as documentary, portrait, environmental, action, etc. Applicants must also be proficient in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, and have skills in color grading, color correction, etc. The photo editor must have a strong compositional eye, have creative and detail-oriented skills and be comfortable working in tandem with writers.

*Recommended: some knowledge of video production and completion of several visual journalism courses. 

Designer

Applicants must be well-versed in digital and web design. Proficiency with Adobe applications strongly advised, including InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Journalism training is not required for this position, but an understanding of visual storytelling is preferred. Our designer will work with editors to visually represent this quarter’s theme and direction. Applicants should have a keen eye for clean design and be able to work well under pressure. The designer will work closely with me throughout the quarter, as we work on creating a print edition.

*Recommended: applicant encompasses digital design/art skills and has completed JOUR 309 (Editing), or other design classes outside of the Journalism department.

Illustrator

Applicants must be well-versed in Adobe Illustrator and/or Apple Procreate. Journalism training is not required for this position, but an understanding of visual storytelling is preferred. Our illustrator will work with editors and writers to visually represent stories within their stylistic choices. 

Copy Editor

Applicants must have a strong understanding of AP style and grammar. The copy editor will be responsible for thoroughly editing every story written for the magazine and fact-checking with sources.

Staff Photographer 

Applicants must be skilled with a DSLR camera and have a wide range of experience with different styles of photography. Applicants must have an awareness and understanding of photojournalism ethics and law, as well as an ability to write captions in the appropriate AP style. The staff photographer will work closely with the photo editor who will delegate photo assignments, and must be comfortable working closely with writers throughout the quarter. 

*Recommended: some knowledge of video production and completion of several visual journalism courses. 

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are due by Wednesday, March 10 at 11:59 p.m. Please email a cover letter, resume and relevant work samples to christayaranon.klipsun@gmail.com. In your cover letter, please state the position you are applying for (and why you are applying for it), your second-choice position and whether you would be taking the position for credit or for pay. In your resume, please include any previous leadership experiences, internships/jobs and completed journalism courses.

In addition to a resume and cover letter:

Story Editors/Copy Editor: Please include three writing samples in your application (if published online, include a link). 

Photo Editor/Photographer: Please include at least 15 photographs in documentary style or other relevant work. Link to online portfolio preferred. 

Multimedia Editor: Please include samples of videos, photography, podcasts, TikToks (journalism related) or other digital media work. Link to online portfolio preferred. 

Designer/Illustrator: Please include up to 10 samples of any relevant design work. Link to online portfolio preferred.