Applications
The UCSD Guardian is the University of California at San Diego’s award-winning independent student newspaper, published by UCSD students for the UCSD community. We publish Mondays during the regular academic year, with the exception of summer session, university holidays and final examinations. The Guardian is a student-run organization funded by advertising sales. Inquire about openings with the appropriate editor or send any general questions you may have to [email protected].
The Guardian is currently seeking someone to fill the Distributor role, who will be responsible for distributing the newspaper across campus on a weekly basis. Please see the full description below under “Backend Teams.” If you’re interested in the Distributor position, please email [email protected].
For all other positions, The Guardian’s Spring Application Cycle closed on Friday, April 11. Our Fall Recruitment Cycle will open in September.
Please note that you must be eligible to work in the U.S., a registered student at UC San Diego (undergrad or graduate), and pay UC registration fees for each quarter working at The UCSD Guardian. All entry-level positions are unpaid. Editors are paid a weekly stipend and advertising representatives are paid on a commission model. Distributors are paid hourly.
Writing Teams
News (E-mail): The News section reports on pressing issues on campus, in San Diego, and across California. The goal of the news section is to convey key information about current events in a non-editorializing and objective tone. News writers will build core interviewing, writing, and editing skills and produce detailed coverage of community affairs in a fast-paced newsroom environment. Prior news writing experience is encouraged, but not required.
Opinion (E-mail): Opinion writers craft arguments for their opinions on everything from global politics to student life issues. Writers for the Opinion section will develop the skills to construct concise and thorough arguments grounded in research, interviews, and personal reflection in their own unique voice. Senior writers will have the opportunity to become columnists, providing them with a biweekly platform to discuss issues under a consistent theme of their choosing.
Features (E-mail): The Features section covers the most diverse range of content, telling the stories of the UCSD community through in-depth interviews and research. Features writers seek to paint a larger picture of each topic they cover, resulting in anything from short-form profiles to long-form investigative pieces. Features writers have the unique opportunity to develop their own narrative voice while constructing detailed, informative stories.
Arts & Entertainment (E-mail): The Arts & Entertainment section celebrates and analyzes media — from film and literature to music and live performances — and its ability to inspire, connect, and shape cultural conversations. This section hones writers’ ability to engage critically with all forms of media from any time period. A&E writers will have the opportunity to gain access to early screenings of films and plays and interview directors, screenwriters, actors, and musicians.
Lifestyle (E-mail): The Lifestyle section is a dynamic platform for writers to creatively explore and reflect on the student experience. Lifestyle writers will learn to craft entertaining narratives about local restaurants, current events, and their personal experiences that resonate with their campus community and the broader San Diego area. Lifestyle writing is ideal for the creatives looking to express themselves and reflect on their experiences at UCSD.
Sports (E-mail): The Sports section reports on local sports, offers commentary in op-eds and columns, and covers events in athletics worldwide. Sports writers will learn to craft engaging, detailed articles on individual games and comprehensive coverage of sports trends over time. Sports writers will have the opportunity to cover sports they are passionate about while gaining free tickets, courtside access, and post-game interviews at UCSD matches.
Creative Teams
Photography (E-mail): The Photography section provides photos for every section of the publication, covering a diverse range of locations and events on campus and in the broader San Diego area. Photographers collaborate with other sections to produce content that will accompany articles, and have the opportunity to create their own photo essays to highlight people and issues in the UCSD community.
Art (E-mail): The Art section collaborates with other sections to produce unique pieces of art to complement each week’s content. Artists will learn professional visual storytelling skills as editorial illustrators and/or comic artists, and have the freedom to practice a variety of styles while building a portfolio to show to future jobs.
Design (E-mail): Members of the Design team craft accessible and informative newspaper layouts to convey The Guardian’s content as effectively as possible. Members of this team will work with experienced designers to develop the physical layout of the paper, as well as social media and branding material. Designers have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in both newspaper and magazine design while building a portfolio for future jobs.
Multimedia (E-mail): The Multimedia team produces a broad array of content, from live reporting to podcasts and anything in between. Members of this team have the freedom to work as videographers, photographers, audio engineers, and/or sound editors, working with staffers from other sections to diversify the content that The Guardian produces. This section is an ideal way to improve production skills across different media while building a portfolio for future jobs.
Backend Teams
Copy (E-mail): The Copy section reviews content from all sections of the publication for style, accuracy, and readability and receives training in editing and formatting. This section requires availability once weekly on Sundays and a strong command of standard English grammar conventions. Experience and knowledge of the AP Stylebook are encouraged, but not required.
Marketing (E-mail): The Marketing team is responsible for developing The Guardian’s marketing strategy to increase community engagement, both on campus and online. This team also works together to manage The Guardian’s social media, posting content that connects, informs, and entertains followers while building a strong online presence. Marketing team members will have the opportunity to gain professional marketing skills and experience.
Web (E-mail): The Web section manages and maintains the website and newsletter, delivering The Guardian’s stories to a global online audience. Members of the Web section will learn to build internal tools and analyze web metrics to bridge the gap between physical papers and digital medium. Experience in HTML and content management software is encouraged, but not required.
Distributor (E-mail): The Distributor is responsible for distributing the newspaper across campus using an electric cart, as well as updating and maintaining newsstand visibility. Additional related duties may be assigned. Availability for a continuous four-hour block of time on Monday mornings is required, preferably beginning at 8 a.m. A valid driver’s license and ability to lift several loads of reasonable weight is also required. If you’re interested in the Distributor position, please email [email protected].
Advertising Team
Ad Representatives: (E-mail): Advertising representatives support The Guardian’s path towards a sustainable and high-yielding business model through outreach and fundraising. This team works with UCSD, San Diego, and national businesses to forge partnerships, sell ads, and fundraise. Ads representatives will have the opportunity to gain professional advertising skills and experience. Experience in advertising and fundraising is encouraged, but not required.
