Student Media Practicum
The Department of Journalism and Strategic Media offers students the opportunity to earn academic credit for working in student media. A minimum of 150 hours is required in the student media experience in order to earn 3 credits in a given semester. Students do not need to earn practicum credit to work in student media but have that option. Practicum credit may be divided into multiple semesters.
Students must first secure a position in student media. The practicum credit can be taken for 1-3 hours depending on how many hours the student works for the media outlet. Students need to complete the Student Media Practicum Agreement and have the adviser complete the Supervisor Practicum Agreement to confirm the student will work in student media and to outline the terms of employment.
Student Media Practicum opportunities
The Daily Helmsman, the independent student newspaper
Hours: Varies based on position. Reporters and photographers need to have 1-5 p.m. open on one day from Monday-Thursday. Editors and designers have night schedules on multiple days.
Positions:
Editorial staff: Edit, write, plan, and produce content for the newspaper and website. Interview with publication board and previous staff experience required.
Reporter: Write stories and occasionally shoot photos for the newspaper and website.
Photographer: Shoot photos for the newspaper and website.
Designer: Design pages of the newspaper.
Website editor: Create content for our website. Update profile pages. Post new stories and multimedia content to the website.
Application: Submit resume, cover letter and link to portfolio (can be in resume) to Prof. Candace Justice at ccjustic@memphis.edu. Applications accepted on a rolling basis for reporter and photographer positions; others have set deadlines.
Advertising Staff
Hours: Varies based on position.
Positions:
Sales: Sell ads and work with accounts to develop advertising.
Designer: Design advertisements for the newspaper.
Application: Submit resume, cover letter and link to portfolio (can be in resume) to Spencer Banks at sbanks2@memphis.edu. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Tiger News, a weekly newscast
Hours: Four hours on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Three hours on Thursday from 12:40 to 3:40 p.m. Remaining eight hours to fit in your schedule as needed.
Positions:
Crew member: Participate in the production of the newscast every Tuesday. The various positions that need to be filled are producer, assistant director, audio, tape operator, prompter, two anchor positions and three camera positions.
Social media content writer: Update the Twitter and Facebook pages as needed. Post new shows every week. Post teasers/reminders at various times of the week.
Video uploader: Upload every show on the Tiger News YouTube channel right after shooting on Tuesdays. You may also have to upload selected stand-alone packages.
Website content editor: Create content for our website. Update profile pages. Post new shows and selected stand-alone packages to the website.
Application: Submit resume, cover letter, and link to portfolio (can be in resume) to Dr. Joe Hayden at jhayden@memphis.edu. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Meeman 901 Strategies, a student-run strategic communications firm
Hours: 9:10-11:10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, plus additional time outside of the meeting hours.
Positions:
Assistant Firm Director: The position will serve as the assistant to the firm director and faculty adviser. The position is responsible for ensuring smooth communication between firm and clients. The position will attend all outside business meetings with the firm director.
Social Media Manager: The position is responsible for maintaining and producing content for client social media accounts. The position will develop a proposal of social media and develop a metric system for measuring success.
Copy Editor: The position is responsible for editing all copy that is produced by the firm for print and website collaterals. He or she will be responsible for maintaining deadlines and offering feedback to other firm associates.
Graphic Designer: The position is responsible for producing print and website collaterals for clients including: brochures, ads, logos, banners and flyers. The position must have a working knowledge of InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop and be able to manage and maintain deadlines.
Account Lead: The position is responsible for overseeing and maintaining projects and communication for an assigned client. He or she will be responsible for working with the firm team to delegate projects and achieve deadlines. Must have previous internship experience to be assigned this position.
Account Associate: The position is responsible for accomplishing assigned tasks for various clients within an assigned time-frame. Projects may include: volunteer coordination, event management, copywriting, strategy, social media creation, etc.
Application: Submit resume, statement of purpose, writing sample and link to portfolio to Prof. Kim Marks. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
WUMR The Jazz Lover U92 FM
WUMR is the only exclusive jazz outlet in the Memphis metro area. The station offers a mix of contemporary and traditional jazz, as well as a sampling of fusion, Blues, Latin, and new age Jazz. The station also serves the Mid-South community with unique educational, sports, and community service programming.
Positions: Varying positions from on-air to editing and control operations are available.
Application: Submit resume, cover letter and link to portfolio (can be in resume) to Malvin Massey at mmassey@memphis.edu. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.