Help Wanted
UPDATE: The Recorder is now looking for an Assistant News editor, Copy editor, Opinion editor, Lifestyles editor, ad sales representatives, web editor and an assistant Layout Editor/ graphic designer. See job descriptions below.
EDITORS:
MANAGING: This editor is the point person for all section editors to consult about stories, procedures, layout and ads. It means the Managing Editor is also responsible for the day-to-day operations and consultation by the Editor-in-Chief for special issues or concerns. The Managing Editor is present on production nights (Sunday and Monday) and will act as a business manager to oversee the financial transactions within the newspaper. Time commitment to the newspaper is high, but it looks great on a résumé. Ideal candidates should also have taken JRN 412 editing as well as the lower required JRN 200, 235, 236 classes.
NEWS: Hard and soft news included: breaking news, features, profiles, event previews. This includes event coverage or enterprise stories and we’re looking to hire the most people for this section – another News editor perhaps and an assistant or two. We encourage beat writers for this section, especially because CCSU has so many areas on campus that require attention: SGA and faculty senate, finance and clubs, just to name a few. If each editor takes on a 3-story minimum per week and manages the staff to write these, then we’re looking into a successful expansion of News. Editors should have some journalism background or will have taken JRN classes. See guidelines.
OPINION: In keeping with the hyper-local focus of the News section, Opinion should accordingly follow suit, with op-eds, editorials, and other relevant content to CCSU. The Opinion Editor and Opinion writers should be well acquainted with research, forming both traditional and nontraditional arguments, information gather and interviewing and the basics that accompany news reporting.
SPORTS: Spring will see the rest of basketball, swimming and hockey, baseball, softball, women’s lacrosse and whatever we can get of club sports. We’re looking forward to hockey, football and soccer in the fall. This section features home and away game coverage, columns, athlete and coach profiles and previews. We encourage beat-reporting here as well per team. We’ve also started live-blogging/ twittering during games where accessible (twitter.com/RecorderSports), so don’t be afraid to pick up a laptop and go. Sit in the press box, interview the players and write the stories that every CCSU sports fan on campus will read. Sports writers should be available to cover on-campus and close away games as well as have knowledge of the sport they are covering.
ENTERTAINMENT: This is part one of our Upgrade section – a section B, really- where features, entertainment news and reviews of CCSU-relevant topics cover the pages. We’re all about interviews for Q and A’s – sometimes the artist/band/musician of your choice, as well as concert and art gallery previews – film is big here, too. The area of New Britain hosts a somewhat-rich art culture, which is another beat in itself (and may overlap with our Lifestyles section). Applicants for this section should have good news judgment, and the ability to cover many genres, tastes and outlooks in the scope of entertainment.
LIFESTYLES: What is generally known to be a miscellaneous section, where anything goes, we’d like to step into a new era with great in-depth features on every facet of student life. Stories are easy to come by – but following them up with reporting and well-developed writing is what we aim for. In some ways, it still will be a miscellaneous section for the random book or restaurant review, or maybe a map of the best late-night beer and pizza places near campus. Ideal candidates for Lifestyles Editor and writers should be in-tune with trend reporting, feature and news writing.
COPY: We’ll need at least one person who is free to work layout nights, which are Sunday and Monday until 12 or 1 a.m. This position is responsible for copy editing for content, style, grammar, factual errors, plagiarism, inaccuracies (or other faulty bits that slip into articles). Ideal candidates should have taken at least JRN 412, Editing, and be well acquainted with AP Style.
GENERAL:
The Recorder is looking for dedicated writers and editors to perform on a weekly basis and be willing to fill a section where necessary- an issue is typically 16-20 pages. We pay editors and assistant editors only (for paid positions specifically, candidates must be full-time, matriculated CCSU undergraduates). Sorry, but as you’ve probably guessed from the overall negative outlook on the economy, our budget is tight, too.
Art Department: We’re looking for one graphic design student who knows Adobe CS3 or better and is familiar with news design. Students with flexible schedules are preferred: our production runs Sunday night and (usually) very late Monday night (that’s it). Assistant Layout Editor is responsible for laying out Upgrade section.
Advertising Sales: We need people to solicit ads from local businesses, especially, but also work with national advertising agencies to place display ads in our print edition. They must also follow-up with advertisers and maintain regular communication with clients. Ad sales reps will receive a negotiated commission for ads sold, depending on experience.
Photographers: Applicants should have somewhat open schedules, as we are looking for general assignment photographers. The Recorder will provide the equipment and photo-editing software. Basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and iPhoto is required.
Web Development: We’re also looking for assistance in our Web efforts, which include updating the Web site, creating multimedia for the Web (videos, slideshows, podcasts, etc..) to accompany stories. Interest or at least some skill in multimedia a must, as we are trying to expand our online presence and create more content. Web editors and assistants must have a solid journalism background and dedication to update the pages and stay ahead of the news 24/7.
Newspaper Delivery: The delivery person should be reliable, able to distribute between 1,500 and 2,500 newspapers each week. Delivery generally requires two or three hours on Wednesday afternoons only after 11 a.m. Please inquire and apply in person at The Recorder office for this position.
Ideal candidates for all positions should:
- have a general knowledge of newspapers or be willing to learn journalistic practices according to their desired position
- have a good news sense and judgment
- be reliable – newspapers depend on hard-working and consistent staffs
- be able to work independently
Why should you do it?
First, student newspapers groom the people who will go on to work for larger newspapers, TV stations and marketing departments of all levels. Many of our editors have received internships due to their experience and some have gone on to work for those companies. It is truly a résumé-booster. If you’re a journalism major or minor, or just like writing, photography or design in general, this is a good opportunity to grab some clips/layouts/photos for your portfolio.
Second, there is some money in it for your troubles. All editorial positions will receive a two-part stipend per semester and advertising sales reps can work for commission and bonuses.
If you are interested, please fill out an application and stop by The Recorder newsroom in the student center to schedule an interview. (Room 107 in the student center)
