Position Descriptions

Below are descriptions for each of the unpaid contributor positions offered at The Crimson White. To apply for these positions, click here.

UNPAID (CONTRIBUTOR):

NEWS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Job Description: This desk is the hub of breaking news on campus, and its writers are primarily responsible for providing timely and critical context about University and Tuscaloosa happenings. Each news writer will cover a specific beat, ranging anywhere from crime to SGA to higher education. News writers should have flexible schedules and should be dedicated to developing strong relationships with a breadth of sources. Reporters will work closely with the news editors to produce at least one daily, breaking or enterprise story per month. We’re looking for enthusiastic, inquisitive and committed students who are open to learning new skills. 

Goals and Expectations:

• Write and report on one story per month
• Research and write informational news articles and stories about real events using a fair and unbiased perspective
• Interview students, staff, faculty, community members, experts and other sources to gather first-hand accounts of events and organize an outline into a cohesive and interesting story 
• Regularly read other collegiate and national news outlets to have a clear understanding of happenings across the country and world
• Work within strict deadlines
• Perform fact-checking
• Compose articles that are enjoyable and complies with journalism ethics and laws
• Tell captivating stories that appeal to a variety of readers

 

CULTURE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Job Description: The culture desk is the home of key commentary on art, trends and other intimate facets of student life – whether it be sharp, timely coverage of the latest trends, an in-depth profile of a student’s struggles and triumphs, or a vivid feature on the hottest artists in town. These writers will work closely with the culture editors to produce at least one event coverage or feature story per month, selecting a beat that best fits their interests. We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated storytellers who are up to the challenge of covering any of the wide variety of topics this desk covers.

Goals and Expectations:

• Write engaging and entertaining “soft news” stories once a month on topics like local artists, up-and-coming businesses and trends, to name a few
• Interview students, performers, artists, and experts and organize an outline into a cohesive and interesting story
• Regularly read other collegiate and national arts and entertainment coverage to have a clear understanding of the scene across the country and world
• Work within strict deadlines
• Perform fact-checking
• Compose articles that are enjoyable and complies with journalism ethics and laws
• Tell captivating stories that appeal to a variety of readers

 

SPORTS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Job Description: Sports writers will cover a specific beat – whether it be adapted athletics or women’s soccer or anything in between – and develop strong relationships with coaches, players and fans. Sports writers generally begin covering smaller sports at least once a month but may transition to covering larger ones, like basketball and football, based on performance and availability. We’re looking for strong storytellers who can enthrall readers with player profiles and game recaps and educate them through informed analysis of sports and overviews of the latest happenings for the Crimson Tide.

Goals and Expectations:

• Write engaging and exciting coverage of Alabama Athletics events once a month
• Research and write informational sports articles and stories about real events using a fair and unbiased perspective
• Interview student athletes, coaches and other athletic staff members and experts to gather first-hand accounts of events and organize an outline into a cohesive and interesting story
• Regularly read other collegiate and national sports coverage to have a clear understanding of sports happenings across the country
• Work within strict deadlines
• Perform fact-checking
• Compose articles that are enjoyable and complies with journalism ethics and laws
• Tell captivating stories that appeal to a variety of readers

 

CONTRIBUTING OPINION COLUMNIST

Job Description: Love to argue (politely)? We’re looking for effective writers who have a passion for persuasion and will use their platform to spark conversation – and action – around issues on campus and in the world. As unique authorities on campus issues, opinion columnists will write at least one column per month about topics within a selected “beat,” such as higher education, student life, or SGA. Beyond aptitude in writing, opinion columnists should possess a firm grasp of issues facing The University of Alabama or young Americans in general and motivation to doggedly report on these topics through interviews and extensive research.

Goals and Expectations:

• Write engaging columns at least once per month
• Attend weekly meetings
• Showcase your voice and personality through entertaining, yet persuasive, argumentation
• Utilize interviews and in-depth research to support your claims
• Regularly read news from The Crimson White and other collegiate and national outlets to have a clear understanding of happenings on campus and beyond
• Work within strict deadlines
• Perform fact-checking
• Compose columns that comply with journalism ethics and laws

 

CONTRIBUTING CARTOONIST

Job Description: Some may think cartoons are a thing of the past, but art is timeless. In this digital age, we’re looking for someone who can develop an online audience – whether it be through consistent characters or incisive, satirical commentary.

Goals and Expectations:

• Create original humorous, satirical or critical cartoons for print editions and email newsletters, at least twice per month
• Digital comics preferred, but not required
• Attend weekly meetings
• Communicate frequently with graphic editor on upcoming assignments

 

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Job Description: The CW is looking for a creative thinker who can tell a story through digital art and infographics for use in digital and print articles. Ideally, this applicant will be comfortable using Adobe Illustrator and/or Photoshop to create their graphics or illustrations. Applicants should be proficient at digital art and require minimal training.

Goals and Expectations:

• Draw or create original digital illustrations or graphics for use in stories at least twice per month
• Access to drawing tablet preferred, but not required
• Attend weekly meetings
• Communicate frequently with graphic editor on upcoming assignments

 

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Job Description: Pictures are worth 1,000 words. You’ve heard that cliche a thousand times, right? At The CW, the photo desk is a crucial part of our operation, providing visual appeal to our stories and creating galleries of campus and city events. We’re looking for enthusiastic and committed photographers willing to rush across campus to photograph breaking news, cover important meetings and occasionally attend sports games. Contributors are expected to photograph a variety of assignments and are not hired simply to take sports photos. Individual or professional photography experience required.

Goals and Expectations: 

• Capture and edit original photos of events assigned by photography editors
• Attend weekly meetings
• Build a portfolio of stock images taken around campus and the Tuscaloosa community
• Adhere to ethical guidelines governing the capturing and editing of photos

 

CONTRIBUTING VIDEOGRAPHER

Job Description: We are looking for passionate and creative videographers to join our multimedia team. Videographers plan, develop and shoot various video segments, both long form and short-form, from sports games to news events in collaboration with the multimedia editors. Videographers are responsible for basic editing and developing footage as per industry standards. Experience is preferred but not required. 

Goals and Expectations:

• Conduct in-depth research on trendy and current topics before every video
• Interview sources on camera to develop stories
• Plan and develop various video segments with multimedia editors
• Shoot and select the best shots
• Determine the location for video interviews
• Maintain quality sound and image quality of recorded footage
• Organize a collection of stock video footage

Videography positions are divided into three teams: News, Sports and Content Creation. Applicants will select which team(s) they would be interested in joining.

News: Focusing on campus and local news, the News multimedia team will find stories and record footage, interviews and/or voiceovers. This team’s videos have stricter deadlines due to the short shelf life of news. See examples of this team’s work.

Sports: The sports multimedia team will create different types of vertically and horizontally shot videos. Highlights from sports games, athlete and important sports figure interviews, or student opinions on sports should be the main focus of this team. See examples of this team’s work.

Content creation: This team focuses on a variety of softer news topics and shooting short-form videos made for Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Topics range from fun “guess the students’ major” challenges to student sound-offs on major campus news. See examples of this team’s work.