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Form of workJob Description
Position Summary:
Writers for MIU News will seek out potential stories, gather information, take photos where relevant, get the appropriate permissions, draft the stories, and submit them to the editor for review. Once approved they would post the stories to the MIU News site. Responsibilities may also include maintaining the events page, meaning keeping the page up to date with all relevant information, photos or other images, and appropriate links to further information.
Students this Position Appeals to:
Students in any major who enjoy and are skilled in writing and wish to use their skills to inform and inspire the MIU campus community through MIU News.
Experience Gained / Advantages for Student:
- MIU is a dynamic institution of higher learning with a great deal of newsworthy activities and achievements and countless interesting people worthy of news profiles. MIU News can help build community, increase student enrollment and retention, enhance community spirit, support staff and faculty recruiting and retention, and more.
- Communication Skills Development: Gain expertise in news and feature writing, effective information gathering, and mastering interview techniques. This role also provides opportunities to enhance visual storytelling skills through photography.
- Digital Publishing Proficiency: Learn or further develop knowledge of basic page layout in WordPress, a widely used platform in the digital publishing industry. This hands-on experience will be valuable in various professional settings.
- Transferable Skills Acquisition: Build a diverse skill set but also gain practical experience that is highly transferable and beneficial for their future academic and professional endeavors. Develop strong written, verbal, and visual communication abilities that apply to journalism, marketing, public relations, and digital media careers.
Job Responsibilities:
- Story Development: Proactively seek out compelling and relevant stories for MIU News, by identifying potential story angles and conducting thorough research to gather comprehensive information.
- Information Gathering: Conduct personal interviews with key sources to gather firsthand information and insights. Utilize a variety of other sources as necessary to collect relevant data.
- Photography and Media Management: Capture high-quality photographs that complement and enhance the written content. Ensure proper permissions and releases are obtained from individuals interviewed or photographed.
- Content Creation: Draft well-crafted and engaging news stories based on gathered information and interviews.
- Editorial Collaboration: Collaborate with the editor to refine and finalize stories for publication, incorporating feedback and making necessary revisions. Participate in meetings to discuss story ideas, progress, and feedback.
- Digital Publishing and Platform Management: Utilize MIU News's WordPress platform to format, edit, and post completed stories for publication, ensuring content is optimized for online readership.
Job Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in writing, preferably in a journalistic or related field. Formal training in writing, journalism, or communication is ideal but not required.
- Genuine enthusiasm for sharing news at MIU, with a passion for storytelling.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including active listening and clear articulation of ideas.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of individuals, especially during interviews.
- Willingness and ability to work collaboratively with an editor and other team members. Openness to receiving constructive feedback and making revisions to improve quality of work.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage tasks, priorities, and deadlines effectively/
- Attention to detail and accuracy in research, writing, and content creation.
- Initiative to take ownership of projects, contribute ideas, and seek out opportunities.
- Basic understanding of digital media tools, including WordPress, or willingness to learn.
Location: On Campus
Supervisor: Craig Pearson
Craig Pearson has been an integral part of MIU's writing and communication sphere for many years. Upon his arrival, he immersed himself in various roles that significantly impacted the university's academic and literacy landscape.
- Craig's tenure at MIU includes creating and instructing the inaugural first-year Writing Core Course, consistently rated as the most informative and enjoyable by students, showcasing his dedication to effective teaching methods.
- Serving as the Director of Freshman Composition, Craig spearheaded Project WRITE (Writing and Revising for Intelligent Thought and Expression), an innovative writing-across-the-curriculum program tailored for freshmen that has garnered extensive praise from alumni.
- His involvement extended to developing a master's program in Professional Writing, teaching a course titled "The Teaching of Writing," enriching students with valuable insights and skills.
During his tenure as Dean of Students, Craig initiated the weekly news publication MIU Review, managing all writing and layout responsibilities for two years before successfully transitioning the publication, which continued for another two decades. His most recent accomplishment includes creating and launching MIU News in Spring 2023, crafting all initial content and contributing a majority of the publication's content since then.
Beyond his academic contributions, Craig is a published author with the notable works including "The Supreme Awakening: Experiences of Enlightenment Throughout Time - and How You Can Cultivate Them," a bestseller for MIU Press and a key text in several MIU courses and at the Maharishi School, and "The Complete Book of Yogic Flying." Additionally, he has three forthcoming books in progress. Craig Pearson's multifaceted expertise and unwavering dedication have significantly enriched MIU's academic and literary landscape, leaving a lasting impact on students, alumni, and the university community. https://news.miu.edu/
