Work @ Fourth Estate

Fourth Estate is currently accepting applications for a variety of positions for the Spring 2014 semester. Fourth Estate’s position in an ever-changing world of news and entertainment makes it the ideal place to work for students interested in pursuing careers in journalism or communication. By working at Fourth Estate, students will learn to work with others, will develop and fine-tune their written and verbal communication skills and will gain experience working in an exciting, deadline- and detail-oriented environment.

A resume, cover letter, and writing sample, should be sent to gmufourthestate@gmail.com (please include name and the position of interest in the subject line) or be brought to the Office of Student Media (the Hub, rm. 1201) and the application below should be filled out.

Click here to download the application.

Sports Editor:

The Sports Editor is in charge of the overall news section of FE. Their primary job is to coordinate coverage of campus news between online and print platforms, facilitate collaboration between the platforms, and find creative ways to tell stories. 

As sports editor, candidates will have to determine how stories are presented in the weekly, and how they can be adapted or enhanced through multi-media tools online.

Additionally, the sports editor will be responsible for the overall guidance and management of sports reporters. This includes holding weekly meetings with staff, ensuring strong communication, editing and writing workshops.

Candidates should be passionate about creatively sharing information through articles, video, infographics, data visualization and other tools. They should have an interest in leadership and teaching multi-media skills to reporters. Though familiarity in multi-media is preferred, training can be provided.  

Hours per week: 15

This position is paid. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume and two writing samples to gmufourthestate@gmail.com. Please submit applications with the headline "Sports Editor Application - Fourth Estate." The deadline to apply is January 8th at 12 p.m. 

Assistant Sports Print Editor

Asst. print editor is responsible for the layout and content of the news section in each weekly publication of Fourth Estate. They will be responsible for ensuring that all content is submitted in a timely manner for each print publication.

Hours per week: 12

This position is paid. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume and two writing samples to gmufourthestate@gmail.com. Please submit applications with the headline "Assistant Sports Print Editor - Fourth Estate." The deadline to apply is January 8th at 12 p.m. 

Beat Reporters

Beat reporters are responsible for in-depth coverage of specific topics in the Mason community. They will become experts in topics ranging from the university’s budget to student government. Most beat reporter positions must attend regular meetings, depending on the topic. (For example, the Student Government Reporter must attend each weekly student government meeting.) Beat reporters must be able to communicate complex topics in a timely and concise manner.

While this position is unpaid, it provides the greatest opportunity for real-life experience in the journalism industry. Beat reporters will develop contacts throughout the university and will produce highly informative pieces about different issues. They will also be given substantial opportunity to pitch their own ideas for research topics and investigative pieces within their beat.

Position can be arranged and modified for internship, work-study and for-credit situations.

Faculty & Academia Reporter

The faculty & academia beat reporter is responsible for covering academic life at Mason. They will keep a constant beat on each of the schools and changes in any academic policies. Faculty & academia reporters are also responsible for covering the faculty senate, and attending their regular meetings.

Student Government Reporter

The student government beat reporter is responsible for covering all topics concerning the Mason Student Senate and student body president and vice-president. They are required to attend each weekly student senate meeting and develop contacts with student government members.

Community Reporter

The Community beat reporter is responsible for covering important stories in the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County. They will develop contacts with local elected officials, including the Fairfax City Council and mayor, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Community Reporter is responsible for looking for important off-campus stories that might affect life on campus. 

Construction Reporter

The Construction beat reporter is responsible for covering important construction stories around campus. They will also be responsible for covering housing and dining affairs. Construction reporters will be required to be kept up-to-date on present and future construction projects. 

News Reporter

News reporters contribute weekly stories to Fourth Estate, and cover a wide range of topics around campus. They will work with news editors on editing and story ideas and will be required to attend weekly section meetings.

Position can be arranged and modified for internship, work-study and for-credit situations.

Lifestyle Reporter

Lifestyle reporters write weekly stories about entertainment and student groups around campus. They will work with lifestyle editors on editing and story ideas and will be required to attend weekly section meetings.

Position can be arranged and modified for internship, work-study and for-credit situations.

Blogger

Bloggers will be given the opportunity to host a blog on the Fourth Estate website. All blogs must be approved by the leading editors, and are encouraged to cover material related to Mason life.

Photo/Video Staff

The Photo & Video staff is responsible for collecting photos/videos as outlined by the Photo & Video Editor and covering at least two events a week. Each staff member is responsible for attending any necessary editorial meetings or individual meetings with editors.

Position can be arranged and modified for internship, work-study and for-credit situations.

Copy Editors

Copy Editors work with editorial staff to process all content that's published both online and in the weekly publication. They will have the opportunity to work with reporters through the editing process and learn all there is to know about AP Style. 

Position can be arranged and modified for internship, work-study and for-credit situations.

A resume, cover letter, and writing sample, should be sent to gmufourthestate@gmail.com (please include name and the position of interest in the subject line) or be brought to the Office of Student Media (the Hub, rm. 1201) and the application below should be filled out.

Click here to download the application.