How to Become a College Magazine Staff Writer

College Magazine–Staff Writer, Virtual Position

Tired of getting told what to do by advisors, counselors and “adults” who have no idea what college students actually go through? Then you can help. College Magazine is looking for students who have a desire for writing purposeful articles about all things college.

Read on to find out if becoming a College Magazine Staff Writer is the best next step for your career path.

What it’s actually like

CM Staff Writers begin their experience in an eight-week training program. During these first eight weeks, writers get a prompt that aims to strengthen a specific skill. Whatever you are passionate about—campus life, academics, resume advice, health and relationships—our trained editors can ensure that your ideas fit into our prompt. At the end of the eight weeks, staff writers then move into a senior writing position and join in the article brainstorming and selection process. All articles receive constructive feedback and edits from our editors and editor-in-chief.

Setting CM apart from other online publications, staff writers don’t just become another name and photo icon on a screen. They join the CM team and community. Our trained editors speak to writers during a weekly phone call, and staff writers get to meet with their fellow writers and their editor-in-chief during each monthly Google Hangout meeting. College Magazine is more than just a writing experience—it’s an opportunity to become a fully-trained journalist.

Cool stuff you get to do

Journalists don’t have all the answers—that’s why we guide students on how to interview expert sources. The most common expert sources include professors on your campus as well as your fellow students. Our staff writers have also interviewed their favorite YouTubers like Tyler Oakley, bands that started in college like Local Natives and Atlas Genius, activists like Andrea Gibson, actors like Alex Karpovsky from Girls and popular musicians like Sara Bareilles. Interview your dream sources, and watch your article go viral.

What you’ll learn

Every staff writer becomes a better student journalist by the end of our eight-week training program. Hands down, we’ve witnessed the incredible growth journey for 500+ writers nationwide. Each week focuses on a different element of writing—active voice, showing versus telling and syntax. We also help writers discover their unique voice. But note that while everyone can always improve on their technical writing talents, our trained editors want to spend the most time teaching writers the best way to research material, how to create a viral-worthy article pitch and how to become a leader in the communications field.

How to prepare for your application

All you need to snag an interview with CM is a resume and a writing sample. We’re more interested in a writing sample from your school newspaper. Magazine style is preferred. But if that’s not an option, you can send us your analysis of Descartes or any essay from class. We look and judge writing samples that match the style and voice of College Magazine. If you don’t have any experience writing in our style, we still encourage you to apply. Your resume helps us see what other extra-curriculars keep you busy all year. After we’ve reviewed your application, we may send you an article prompt to craft an additional writing sample. Bonus: If you snag a spot at CM, that sample article may get published on our site. If your initial sample was on point, we may move you directly on to the interview portion.

Skills that impress them

A strong understanding in AP Style. Familiarity with WordPress is also a plus. We’re wowed when writing samples have quotes, active voice and minimal grammar errors. The first eight weeks of writer training teaches new writers how to conquer the CM voice and style, not how to write grammatically correct. We also love hiring students with strong energy and a clear passion for writing. Being a student journalist is time consuming, but we want to see that you’re ready for the challenge! This position prepares you for any job in the communications field.

Cool perks

Because College Magazine is a virtual writing experience, our writers, editors and editors-in-chief live all across the country. Are you from Michigan? Your editor might be from Texas. CM expands your professional network nation-wide overnight. There’s also room for growth within CM. Our rock-star writers can be nominated to become editors and, in enough time, editors can be promoted to editor-in-chief.

The Deets

Work from wherever, as long as you have Wi-Fi
Write and publish one article per week
Meetings via Google Hangout
Starts right away
Minimum 6-month commitment (some of us stick around for much longer)
Requires 10-15 hours per week
Email your resume and writing sample to [email protected] with the subject line “College Magazine Staff Writer Position”