EMPLOYMENT
Gain valuable experience in
journalism, design, business ...
Student Publications truly offers an interdisciplinary workplace, bringing together students of varying talents and skill sets, from sales to graphic design to reporting, editing and photography. Employment is limited to students enrolled at the UH main campus.
Take a look at some of the department job descriptions. All positions are paid. To inquire about openings, call the SP Business Office at (713) 743-5350.
Download an application at any time and return to Room 151 Communication Building.
The Daily Cougar Editorial Department
- Staff writer
- Photographer
- Cartoonist
- Copy editor
- Section editor
Staff writer
- General description
- To write in a timely manner those stories which have been assigned by a corresponding section editor.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must have a working knowledge of English grammar and be willing to learn Associated Press and Daily Cougar style
- Self-motivated and able to work with little supervision
- Must be able to meet regular deadlines (in general, 4 p.m. the day prior to publication)
- May not be a member of the Student Government Association or any other student organization assigned as a beat
- Responsibilities
- Must represent The Daily Cougar in a professional and accurate manner to anyone not on staff. Will also defend The Daily Cougar to anyone not on staff, while being free to approach an editor with a complaint.
- Must learn and adhere to policies as outlined by the editor in chief, managing editor and individual section editors.
- Must recognize the responsibility that comes with being a writer for a newspaper.
- Must learn a generally accepted code of ethics as adopted by The Daily Cougar.
Photographer
- General description
- To take and process photos in a timely manner as assigned by the photo editor.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must have a working knowledge of cameras, film, equipment and how to take a good photo, or be willing to learn
- Self-motivated and able to work with little supervision
- Must be able to meet regular deadlines and be willing to take assignments for breaking stories
- May not be a member of the Student Government Association or any other student organization assigned as a beat
- Responsibilites
- Must represent The Daily Cougar in a professional and accurate manner to anyone not on staff. Will also defend The Daily Cougar to anyone not on staff, while being free to approach an editor with a complaint.
- Must learn and adhere to policies as outlined by the editor in chief, managing editor and individual section editors.
- Must recognize the responsibility that comes with being a writer for a newspaper.
- Must learn a generally accepted code of ethics as adopted by The Daily Cougar.
Cartoonist
- General description
- To draw any illustrations in a timely manner that will run as individual comic strips, editorial cartoons, or that will accompany stories.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must be able to draw funny or critical pieces
- Must have reliable transportation
- Must be able to meet regular deadlines (in general, 4 p.m. the day prior to publication)
- May not be a member of the Student Government Association or any other student organization assigned as a beat
- Responsibilities
- Must represent The Daily Cougar in a professional and accurate manner to anyone not on staff. Will also defend The Daily Cougar to anyone not on staff, while being free to approach an editor with a complaint.
- Must learn and adhere to policies as outlined by the editor in chief, managing editor and individual section editors.
- Must recognize the responsibility that comes with being a writer for a newspaper.
- Must learn a generally accepted code of ethics as adopted by The Daily Cougar and learn that even cartoonists can be sued for libel.
Copy editor
- General description
- Is responsible for making certain that The Daily Cougar not only reads well, but also looks the way it was designed.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must pass a Daily Cougar copy editing test
- Must have reliable transportation and be willing to work nights (12:30 a.m. or later on occasion)
- Must have some knowledge of Associated Press style and be willing to learn Daily Cougar style
- Responsibilites
- Must read over articles for style, grammar, spelling errors, incomplete sentences, etc.
- Must verify names and titles, including programs, people, buildings, streets, cities, movies, businesses, etc.
- Must make certain that a story is free of libel or defamation of character. This applies to opinion columns as well.
- Must be able to do the job twice: once on the computer and again on paper proofs.
- Must work with the copy chief, managing editor and editor in chief.
Section editor
- General description
- Hired by the editor in chief, a section editor fills his or her section with timely stories pertaining to the University and surrounding community and any other worthwhile events he or she feels are pertinent to the University community.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must have some knowledge of Associated Press and Daily Cougar style
- Must have some familiarity with layout or be willing to learn quickly
- Must be able to meet daily deadlines for an entire section of a newspaper
- May not be a member of the Student Government Association or any other student organization that will receive regular coverage in his or her section
- Responsibilities
- Will assign and edit stories to run in a corresponding section, checking for factual, grammatical and style errors.
- Will design his or her pages on dummy sheets, according to a story’s length, headline and accompanying photo(s). Must learn The Daily Cougar’s layout guidelines.
- Must stay in contact with the photo editor to make certain that art scheduled to accompany a story has been assigned and covered.
- Must hire a capable staff and assign specific beats when necessary, making certain every writer or photographer knows Daily Cougar style, ethics and policy. He or she may dismiss a writer or photographer, provided that the editor in chief is made aware of any pending action.
- Must represent The Daily Cougar in a professional and accurate manner. Must also learn to adhere to policies as outlined by the editor in chief. Must maintain proper communication with the editor in chief and managing editor.
The Daily Cougar Advertising Department
- Display sales representative
- Classified sales representative
Display sales representative
- General description
- To sell retail advertising for The Daily Cougar, Transitions magazine and other special promotions.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must have reliable transportation
- Self-motivated and able to work with little supervision
- Able to work between semesters and during the summer
- Have some office and phone experience
- Responsibilities
- Represent The Daily Cougar and Student Publications in a professional manner, including observing the dress code for display sales reps and using proper business and telephone etiquette.
- Sell advertising to off-campus and on-campus clients, excluding student and other organizations of which you are a member or with which you are affiliated.
- Learn and observe all policies published in the current rate card and other department materials regarding sales and submission of advertising.
- Gather and maintain accurate information on clients and accounts.
- Collect payment for advertising at the time of the sale.
- Meet daily deadlines for filing paperwork.
- Schedule and keep 2 to 4 office hours daily, Monday through Friday.
- Handle errors and problems professionally and courteously in conjunction with the Ad Manager and Student Ad Manager.
- Attend staff meetings.
- Respect all policies and procedures of Student Publications.
- Call in as soon as possible if you will not be able to work and make arrangements for your replacement with the Ad Manager.
- Perform other tasks as assigned by the Ad Manager or Student Ad Manager.
Classified sales representative
- General description
- To sell classified advertising for The Daily Cougar, Transitions magazine and other special promotions.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must have reliable transportation
- Self-motivated and able to work with little supervision
- Able to work between semesters and during the summer
- Have some office and phone experience
- Responsibilities
- Represent The Daily Cougar and Student Publications in a professional manner, using proper business and telephone etiquette.
- Sell advertising to off-campus and on-campus clients, excluding student and other organizations of which you are a member or with which you are affiliated.
- Learn and observe all policies published in the current rate card and other department materials regarding sales and submission of advertising.
- Gather and maintain accurate information on clients and accounts.
- Collect payment for advertising at the time of the sale.
- Meet daily deadlines for filing paperwork.
- Proof classifieds page for accuracy each day.
- Handle errors and problems professionally and courteously in conjunction with the Ad Manager and Student Ad Manager.
- Attend staff meetings.
- Respect all policies and procedures of Student Publications.
- Call in as soon as possible if you will not be able to work and make arrangements for your replacement with the Ad Manager.
- Perform other tasks as assigned by the Ad Manager or Student Ad Manager.
The Daily Cougar Production Department
- Graphic artist
- Night production
Graphic artist
- General description
- To design advertising for The Daily Cougar and other publications of Student Publications, including promotional materials.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must have reliable transportation
- Self-motivated and able to work with little supervision
- Able to work between semesters and during the summer
- Have experience with the Adobe Creative Suite or similar layout and design software
- Responsibilities
- Design and correct advertising and other materials for The Daily Cougar and any other special sections, promotions or publications produced by the Department of Student Publications.
- Read and process layouts and corrected proofs accurately.
- Maintain orderly files of ads and materials on a file server.
- Communicate with sales reps and editorial staff as needed.
- Meet all deadlines.
- Handle errors and problems professionally and courteously in conjunction with the The Daily Cougar Student Production Manager and The Daily Cougar Production Manager.
- Read and consult the production manual, memos, posted material and information distributed to production staff mailboxes and become familiar with Student Publications policies and procedures.
- Call in as soon as possible if you will not be able to work and make arrangements for your replacement with the student production manager and/or production manager.
- Perform other tasks as assigned by The Daily Cougar Production Manager or Student Production Manager.
Night production
- Qualifications
- To typeset and design page layouts for The Daily Cougar and other publications of Student Publications, including promotional materials.
- Responsibilities
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must have reliable transportation and be willing to work nights (12:30 a.m. or later on occasion)
- Self-motivated and able to work with little supervision
- Have experience with the Adobe Creative Suite or similar layout and design software
- Responsibilities
- Lay out pages and photos for The Daily Cougar and any other special sections, promotions or publications produced by the Department of Student Publications.
- Read and process layouts and corrected proofs accurately.
- Maintain orderly files of materials on a file server.
- Communicate with editorial staff as needed.
- Meet all deadlines.
- Handle errors and problems professionally and courteously in conjunction with the The Daily Cougar Student Production Manager and The Daily Cougar Production Manager.
- Read and consult the production manual, memos, posted material and information distributed to production staff mailboxes and become familiar with Student Publications policies and procedures.
- Call in as soon as possible if you will not be able to work and make arrangements for your replacement with the student production manager and/or production manager.
- Perform other tasks as assigned by The Daily Cougar Production Manager or Student Production Manager.
Houstonian Yearbook
- Staff writer
- Staff photographer
Staff writer
- General description
- Write stories for various sections of the Houstonian yearbook
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Be able to spend at least 3 hours a week in the office
- Complete a copy editing test and writing test
- Responsibilities
- Attend writers’ meetings when called by editors.
- Gather all information and conduct all research for story assignment.
- Must keep in constant contact with section editors.
- Turn in completed stories by deadline given.
- Help Marketing Manager with yearbook promotions.
Staff photographer
- General description
- Photographers complete photo assignments that will appear in the Houstonian yearbook.
- Qualifications
- Must spend at least 3 to 5 hours a week in the office
- Complete Photography test (you will be given a roll of film to shoot something on campus and then bring the film back to be critiqued by the Photo Editor)
- Be currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Be able to work weekends, if necessary
- Own a professional camera, if possible
- Responsibilities
- Attend photography meetings at least once a week.
- Gather all names of individuals and groups covered.
- Check the assignment tray for new assignments every day.
- Process film immediately and have negatives sleeved and on the photo editor’s desk by the given deadline.
- Must keep in constant contact with the Photo Editor.
- Help maintain the darkrooms.
- Helps Marketing Manager with yearbook promotions.
Student Publications Business Office
- Business Office assistant
Business Office assistant
- General description
- To assist with business operations of the Department of Student Publications.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a student at UH
- Must have reliable transportation
- Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to work with little supervision
- Able to work between semesters and during the summer
- Have some office and computer experience
- Responsibilities
- Post transactions to the Classifieds accounting system.
- Post transactions to the Retail accounting system.
- Log in payments and enter them in the cash register.
- Authorize credit cards and transmit transactions to bank.
- Print daily runsheets.
- Retrieve tearsheets to accompany invoices.
- Mail out daily and weekly subscriptions.
- Archive newspapers.
- Assist with bank deposits, answering phones, filing, copying, faxing and running daily errands.
- Perform other tasks as assigned by the Business Office Manager and Office Assistant.