Scholarships
University of Utah
Posted 9 months ago

The Daily Utah Chronicle – Asst. Opinion Editor

Junior Leadership scholarship position — This position is awarded a scholarship for only Spring 2024. Chosen applicants will serve for one semester and applications will open again for the 2024-25 school year. All scholarships are determined by position, time commitment, responsibility and financial budget. Specific questions about scholarship amounts may be directed to Josh Petersen – [email protected] or via Teams.

The Opinion Editor and EIC selects a student to be awarded a scholarship to serve as Assistant Opinion Editor of The Daily Utah Chronicle.

Expectations & Duties:

Assist Opinion Editor in all duties as follows:

Along with the Opinion Editor, recruit and maintain a team of 5-15 opinion writers in consultation with the EIC. Responsible for making sure the writers receive onboarding and proper training prior to publication.
- Train writers adequately in AP style, interviewing techniques, journalistic practices and Chronicle technologies (WordPress and Teams).
Brainstorm stories and actively seek out current University of Utah content and assign stories and beats to writers. The editor doesn’t shy away from controversial topics, but doesn’t let one political or ideological viewpoint hold sway in the section.
Work with photographers on assignments
Fills out monthly print budgets and weekly online budgets.
Read and correct all copy edits in the given section for statistics, names, grammar, style, spelling, clarity, accuracy and length, ensuring they are submitted in time to meet both print and online deadlines.
Write content for the section as needed
Come to all editorial board meetings with ample story ideas.
Coordinate opinion columns with news stories whenever possible.
Hold weekly desk meetings for planning and training and regular one-on-one training with writers, to go over errors and arguments.
Hold regular check-ins with the executive editorial team and be available for meetings when required.
Look at the Daily Utah Chronicle’s print and online editions daily and bring any problems to the attention of the EIC and other managing editors.
Respond to problems or grievances with opinion content or writers in a timely, responsible and mature manner.
When necessary, address performance problems from writers. When writers are not fulfilling their duties to the fullest of their expectations, hold a private meeting and give them a verbal warning while making an effort to help them improve. If this does not solve the problem within a two-week period, there should be a formal meeting with the writer that includes the editor-in-chief.
Verify the source of all letters, including identity, status, connection with the U, and knowledge of our right to edit.
Lead the creation of editorials from the Editorial Board.
Collaborates with the Multimedia Editor and Social Media Manager to support podcasts, video, social media and other content promoting the opinion desk.
Coordinate regularly with the Opinion Editor to divide responsibilities and determine how to most effectively maintain the content flow of their team.
Expect to dedicate 20-25 hours per week to this position, aware that some weeks may require more time commitment than others.

Qualifications:

Previous work and/or education and training in journalism and opinion writing. Preference given to applicants with prior experience at the Chronicle.
Experience in writing for different audiences and settings, such as entertainment, business, and journalism.
Understanding and working knowledge of necessary software and tools used in digital and print publishing.
Experience or knowledge of media marketing and content distribution, particularly in the fields of social media and community outreach.
Demonstrated leadership and/or previous management experience preferred.
Content management, audience engagement, editing, or other similar experience preferred.
Must be enrolled student progressing satisfactorily towards a degree.
Major or minor in mass communication, journalism, strategic communication, or similar preferred.

Application Process:

Applicants for this position will be reviewed during December 2023 and interviews will be scheduled by the Opinion Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

The position is open until filled. The experiential learning term is December 2023 – April 2024. Please fill out the application below and follow all instructions for submitting the application and providing the necessary portfolio and documentation.

Use this form to apply now:

I understand the expectations of the position I am applying for.*
Please verify that you have read all the information above this application form.
- Yes
I am applying for:*
- Asst. News Editor
- Asst. Sports Editor
- Asst. Arts Editor
- Asst. Opinion Editor
- Asst. Investigative Editor
Please select the position(s) that you are applying for.
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Major*
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Graduation Date*
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Please enter your anticipated graduation date. Use the last day of the month you expect to graduate. I.E., for December 2024 graduation, enter 12/31/2024.
Please indicate any other commitments you have or anticipate for next year:*
Commitments could include necessary internships, outside work, involvement in other campus groups, etc. Please list commitments that would potentially impact your ability to dedicate your time to this position.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Student Media at the University of Utah requires that all students participating in Student Media agree to avoid and, as appropriate, properly disclose potential conflicts of interest in their position in Student Media. A conflict of interest is any situation where the aims or purposes of two different parties conflict or are incompatible. For specific questions, please ask Josh. Certain situations may arise where a conflict of interest will require removal from a position within Student Media.
Conflict of Interest Affirmation*
By checking this field, I affirm that I have read the Conflict of Interest Statement above and agree to avoid and, as appropriate, properly disclose potential conflicts of interest I may have. I understand that certain situations may require me to resign my position.
- Yes
How long have you been involved in the Chronicle and/or another Student Media platform?*
What positions have you held in the Chronicle and/or other Student Media platforms?*
Required Documents*
Please upload a professional resume and a list of courses undertaken relevant to the position. You may also upload a portfolio here or give a link to an online portfolio below.
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Online Portfolio
Scholarship Fine Print*
Any student who receives a scholarship, fellowship, or other state or federally-funded financial aid administered by the University of Utah is required by state law to certify that they are eligible to receive the scholarship as a U.S. citizen or a citizen of another country who is lawfully present in the U.S. If students do not know whether they are in the U.S. lawfully, they should seek the advice of an immigration attorney before accepting an award of financial aid that requires certification and verification. Prior to the disbursement of any scholarship/financial aid, the University of Utah is required by law to verify with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the lawful presence in the U.S. of students who are not U.S. citizens. Once the University submits a student’s information to DHS for verification, this federal agency may have the legal right to share the information with other government agencies. By accepting a scholarship, the student certifies under penalty of perjury that s/he is either a U.S. citizen or a citizen of another country who is lawfully present in the U.S. S/he understands that his/her status and eligibility for financial aid/scholarship within the U.S. will be verified through the Department of Homeland Security prior to an award of this scholarship/financial aid. Please verify that you have read and understand the information above and certify that you will be able to comply with this requirement.
- Yes
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Chronicle – Asst. Opinion Editor

The Daily Utah Chronicle – Asst. Opinion Editor

Expectations & Duties:

Qualifications:

Conflict of Interest Statement