Contribute

No experience is necessary. At all. Seriously.

The Gazette is made by students, meaning you can contribute to The Gazette four times every week. We’re always looking for students to help in every section, whether it’s editorial or creative.

Visit us anytime in Room 263 (see a map below) in the University Community Centre and we’ll happily show you the ins and outs of working at The Gazette.

Here’s the best part: the time commitment is up to you! If you’re burdened with schoolwork, no one will pressure you to pick up assignments. There is no “contribution quota.”

Check out the FAQ below. More questions? Shoot an email to stuart@westerngazette.ca and he’ll swiftly answer all your questions.

Other ways to contribute

Try our model registry or artist registry, submit a comic, write a letter, submit to Dear Life or write to The Fixer.

More information

To contribute or learn more about any positions, contact Jesse at jesse@westerngazette.ca.

FAQ

1. How do I get started?
2. How do I find the office?
3. How much experience do I need?
4. What’s the time commitment?
5. Can I suggest my own story ideas?
6. Is there opportunity for advancement?
7. Are there internships?
8. Are Gazette contributors paid?
9. How often do editors work?
10. Do I need to be a student to work at the Gazette?

1. How do I get started?
Come to Room 263 of the UCC. Our managing editor will greet you ask which section you want to work for. You’ll talk to that section’s editor and they’ll give you an assignment, work out questions or details and guide you through the process. You can take as much or as little help as you want. They’ll set a deadline with you and they’ll help edit the final product.

2. How do I find the office?
Go through the front doors of the UCC and walk straight forward to the stairs. Walk up the stairs and turn left at the top. Turn left at the first set of double doors and walk straight back. The Gazette is at the back of that hallway.

3. How much experience do I need?
None. Let’s repeat that… none! The Gazette is both a newspaper and a training resource. This means we work with complete novices and veteran student writers to produce content. We have a thorough training process, which pairs new contributors with experienced editors (who are also students). Our goal is to instruct new contributors so they can transition into a career in journalism or media.

4. What’s the time commitment?
That’s up to you. Write one story per semester or one per day. When you start out, we’ll give you story ideas and help craft your assignment. We’ll always have something for you to do, so you can come as often as you want.

5. Can I suggest my own story ideas?
Yes, but we’ll probably start you on something smaller first. New writers start with briefs or small reviews, depending on the section. After five of these articles, writers become Gazette Staff and have more freedom to suggest and write their own stories.

6. Is there opportunity for advancement?
There are plenty of opportunities to have more responsibility at

The Gazette. Our full-time salaried Front Office is made of recent graduates who worked at The Gazette. Editors receive an honorarium. The best way to move up is to contribute — lots! The Gazette values passion first, so the most enthusiastic writers and creators tend to get noticed.

7. Are there internships?
Yes. Interns are writers or artists who commit at least one day every week to be in the office whenever they’re not in class. Editors rely on these interns to be there and reserve stories for them. Internships are a great way to prepare for being an editor.

8. Are Gazette contributors paid?
No, The Gazette works on a volunteer basis. The Front Office is made of salaried, full-time employees. The editorial board is made of volunteer editors who work nearly full-time hours and they receive an honorarium for each issue they publish. The remaining staff and contributors work on a volunteer basis as well.

9. How often do editors work?

Gazette editors are in the office whenever they aren’t in class. They work from around 9 a.m. until around 7 p.m., depending on the section and the day’s stories.

10. Do I need to be a student to work at The Gazette?
Yes. As a student service, we only offer training and publishing opportunities for students. Front Office members are usually recent graduates.

Internship program

Find out more information about our internship programs in news, A&E, sports, photography, graphics or web. Interns dedicate one day per week to being in the office starting around 9:30 am.

We’re always accepting new volunteers, so don’t hesitate to drop by the office at any point during the term!

Graphics

The Gazette‘s graphic and web departments are looking for designers! Build a portfolio while designing for print and the web. Room for growth to graphics and web editor positions.

Experience

• Graphic designers: Some basic knowledge of the Adobe Suite, especially Photoshop and Illustrator, is required. Bonus points for experience with Flash.
• Web developers: Some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS is required. Bonus points for experience with WordPress, PHP, Javascript or jQuery.