by Varsity Applications

This article is 4 years old

As one of the most reliable independent sources of information in the university, Varsity is more important than ever. 

We're re-opening applications for some of our most exciting editorial roles for Easter Term. We might not be in Cambridge, but we'll still be running as full an operation as possible remotely, bringing exciting and important content of all kinds by students, for students.

Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience in journalism: Varsity is a place to learn, to experiment, and to explore new opportunities. Join the team and you’ll find a supportive environment united by passion and commitment to the paper. We'll soon also be opening application for contributors like columnists, and we're always looking for a diverse and exciting range of writers. 

Bring your ideas, your perspective, and your curiosity. Apply to join Varsity today.

Applications

To apply for any position(s), please email your application to applications@varsity.co.uk

Applications for all roles should be received by 5pm, Friday 17th April. Let us know as soon as possible at applications@varsity.co.uk if this deadline poses an issue!

All applications must include:

  • Your full name, subject, college and what you're in.
  • Which role(s) you would like to apply for.
  • Details of any academic commitments you have in Easter Term, and commitments to any societies/activities other than Varsity.
  • Details of any experience you have for the role. No experience is required or expected, and full training will be provided, but, if relevant, you may wish to include any experience in journalism or gained from other extra-curricular activities, and any technical skills (e.g. ability to use Adobe InDesign, Photoshop or video editing software).

Please note that absolutely no prior experience is required. We welcome anyone keen to join the paper for the first time, especially freshers. Varsity is a space to explore new things, and our team is eager to guide you! 

Any questions about the roles or the application process? Pop an email to Gabriel Humphreys and Caterina Bragoli at applications@varsity.co.uk

Alternatively, feel free to get in touch with any of the current section editors – they’ll be happy to answer any queries! Their contact details can be found here. 

Detailed information about all available roles and application guidelines can be found below.

Executive roles

Currently, we're re-opening applications for Digital Editors.

If you wish to apply for any of this role, please provide:

  • A critique and vision statement for the areas you will oversee, including ideas for how they should be presented in print and online (1,000 words maximum).
  • A critique of an article, video or other form of content from one of these areas (350 words maximum).
  • Alternative headlines, subheadings and social media trails for three articles from the sections you will oversee (applicants for the role of Digital Editor may choose articles from any section).
  • Details of any experience you have for the role, why you think you’d be suitable, and why you’re keen to take it on! We’ll consider experience both within and outside Varsity, of both journalism and other demonstrations of team management, organisation and leadership (500 words maximum).

Available positions

Digital Editor

The Digital Editor will oversee Varsity’s video, podcast and social media output, and will work with the Editors to improve the website. Applicants should offer ideas for revitalising and diversifying Varsity’s digital presence in order to attract greater engagement with our content, and be thoughtful about how to put these ideas into action. This will be an especially exciting role as we move into a term of online-only content, presenting both challenges and opportunities. The past year has seen an increase in digital content, from news reporting to creative videos, and we’re looking for someone to build on this success. Responsibilities will include experimenting with different formats and strategies to optimise engagement, guiding the Digital teams within Varsity, and strengthening collaboration between Varsity’s Digital teams and other parts of the paper. They will provide team training for writing engaging social media trails, and should work to develop new strategies for attracting readers to our website. The Digital Editor should have experience of video editing and be adept at Photoshop, or commit to training provided by the team.

Section editors

Our section editors helps to shape Varsity's sections, while working with a broad range of contributors. Our section editors have the unique opportunity to push discussion and platform many different conversations and perspectives. Section editors will commission, select and edit content, while having the opportunity to also write pieces themselves.

We're currently seeking Investigations Editors and Theatre Editors.

If you’d like to apply for any of these roles, please provide:

  • A critique of the section from the past couple of terms, with suggestions of improvements you would seek to implement, if appointed. This should largely focus on content, but if you have any particular ideas for digital presence or print design, please include these (500 words maximum).
  • A critique of an article from the section from the past couple of terms (200 words maximum).
  • Five ideas for content in the section.
  • Alternative headlines and subheadings for three recent articles from the section.

We seek to appoint at least two section editors for every section. Applicants should submit individual applications. 

Available positions

News Editor

News is Varsity’s biggest section. The Varsity news team plays an essential role in Cambridge, providing timely, objective, and incisive reporting on stories relevant to our readers. Our coverage serves not only to inform Varsity readers, but to hold institutions in the city to account. Members of the team must be engaged with goings-on in Cambridge, and be both knowledgeable and critical in their coverage of issues prominent in the Cambridge community.

We will be continuing to cover COVID-19 in both article and live blog formats.

Senior News Editor: The Senior News Editors will lead a team of Deputy News Editors and news correspondents. They are responsible for commissioning writers and editing copy, reacting to breaking news as well as identifying important issues to explore further. The Senior News Editors must commit to training Varsity’s news correspondents, and commit to receiving further news training from other experienced news writers at the paper. This term, in light of recent events, we are looking to hire three Senior News Editors, to allow workloads to be managed effectively and ensure we are providing the best possible coverage we can.

Investigations Editor

The Investigations Editors are crucial to Varsity’s role in holding our institutions, societies and students to account. They must have a nose for the untold story and a drive to work independently, tackling in-depth projects with the aim of uncovering interesting and important things that our readers should know about. Experience of news writing, while not required, is particularly valuable in an Investigations Editor. They must commit to receiving news training from the News Editors and from more experienced members of the team, who will be keen to guide them.

Vulture sections

Theatre Editor

The Theatre Editors will commission personal Opinion or Features-style articles exploring students’ experiences with the dramatic arts. This will be a challenging position this term, with no live productions happening in Cambridge and beyond. We want someone who can breathe life into the section in spite of this, focussing on alternative forms of theatre, and engaging with attempts by both the Cambridge theatre community and the arts industry in general to keep things going. We are especially looking for individuals who understand the Cambridge theatre scene well and are extremely organised.

Digital roles

Head of Video

The Video section is heading in a very exciting direction, with increasing output and a growing scope for experimentation. The Head of Video will be responsible for overseeing Varsity’s video output, which will require running and organising the video team to produce high-quality content in a timely manner, and ensuring that team members are well-trained. This will be an interesting and challenging section this term - we're looking for someone who will bring new ideas, and who will ensure Varsity maintains its flow of content by utilising their own and others skills to develop a diverse range of videos. If you wish to apply for this role, please provide:

● A critique and vision statement for Varsity’s video content, outlining some ideas for the kind of content you’d like to pursue next term. Include an explanation of how you would make sure video reflects the diversity of Varsity’s textual content. (500 words maximum)

● An explanation of any experience you have for the role, why you think you would be suitable, and why you want to do it (300 words maximum).

● Five ideas for video content for next term. These can be developed pitches or just concept suggestions.

Video Team

The video team will be responsible for helping create content which the Head of Video proposes, as well as coming up with their own ideas about exciting video opportunities. We’re looking for people to shoot, edit and present Varsity’s video output. This will be an interesting time to be on the Video Team, whether you're interested in artful reflections on isolation, or even vlogging quarantine away from home. To apply, please provide:

● An explanation of the role you would like to have within the video team, as well as details of any skills, equipment and software you currently have (none required!).

● An explanation of any experience you have of working with video, including a link to any examples (again, no experience is required!).

● Three suggestions for video content you’d like to produce in Lent Term, or ideas for a running series.

Additional roles

Keen to contribute to the paper but not in an editorial role? Applications for reporters, photographers, illustrators and columnists will open shortly. In the meantime, to hear about upcoming opportunities in sections you're interested in, join the relevant Facebook groups for interested writers. We’re always open to pitches, on any issue or theme which may interest you, so please drop us an email with your ideas!

Don't hesitate to apply! We’re excited to receive your application.

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