WE CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU
Whether you’re a first-year just now hearing about us, a transfer thinking about your next step, or a returning student excited to get involved with Columbia’s premier media organization, we’d love to have you as a part of our diverse team of journalists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and more.
Here’s how you can get started.
1. fill out an interest form and RSVP to an open house
Your responses will let us know which open house you’re attending and help us learn more about you and what you’re interested in doing with us at Spectator. You must fill out this form in order for us to receive your contact information.
For spring 2024, we are currently looking for applicants who are interested in joining the following sections: Podcasting & Audio, Opinion, Product, Engagement, Sports, Spectrum, City News, Layout, Illustrations, and Copy.
University News, Arts & Culture, Photo, The Eye, Revenue, Graphics, Engineering, and Video will open for recruitment in fall 2024. If you’re interested in joining one of these sections, we encourage you to apply next semester as we will not be taking applicants for them at this time.
Read more about our journalism, multimedia journalism, and business & innovations sections here.
2. ATTEND AN OPEN HOUSE
In order to receive an application, you must attend one of our open houses on the following dates. If you are unable to attend either open house, please email join@columbiaspectator.com and we will do our best to accommodate you. All spring open houses will be held in Room 423 of Riverside Church at 91 Claremont Avenue (near 120th and Claremont). Spectator staffers will be there to guide potential applicants to the room.
Spring 2024 Open House dates are as follows:
Open House 2 | Saturday, Jan. 27
Journalism and Business & Innovations: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Open House 1 | Friday, Jan. 26
Journalism and Business & Innovations: 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
During the Open Houses, you will have the option to visit individual sections that interest you. If you would like to talk to current Spectator staff, please try to keep the hour after your Open House free.
3. RECEIVE AN APPLICATION
After you have attended one of our Open Houses, you will receive an application to complete. Please note that visuals applicants are encouraged to submit a portfolio in addition to the written application.
4. COME TO AN INTERVIEW
Selected applicants will then be notified of potential interview opportunities during the following week at the Spectator office. Interviews are conducted by the section heads, editor in chief, managing editor, and publisher. Those who interview successfully will be selected to begin our training program.
5. ON-BOARDING AND TRAINING
If you’ve been selected to become a trainee, congratulations! You’ll begin a roughly eight-week training process, specific to your section, where you’ll learn and apply real world skills working closely with your section’s staff.
The training process can be challenging, but it is designed to set you up to succeed in a staff position. Spectator staff members are here to help you learn and grow throughout the process.
JOINSPEC.COM > 1. WHO WE ARE > 2. WHY JOIN US > 3. FIND YOUR FIT > 4. APPLY NOW