The Observer is the leading publication at the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. With over 50 years of history, we are proud to be the only student-run, independent and daily news organization for the tri-campus community.
The work we do wouldn’t be possible without our passionate and talented team. We are made up of students from across Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross. Contribute to our mission and reach nearly 15,000 readers as a writer, copyeditor, designer, photographer, videographer, tech specialist, social media expert or more.
Interested in joining? Browse the positions listed to read how you can get started with us. If you don’t see your desired position, don’t worry — we’re always looking to grow our staff. Just contact editor@ndsmcobserver.com for more information on how you can join the section(s) that interests you.
Graphics
The Observer’s Graphics Department is the creative and visual eye of the paper. We design graphics using Adobe software for various Observer sections. Contact graphics@ndsmcobserver.com for more information.
Graphic Designer
Want to create a variety of creative graphics a week and get published and paid for it? Want to work alongside a team of graphic designers working together to style up The Observer’s stories and pages? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, the Graphics Department is a good match for you!
How it works: The Graphics Department is made up of a team of creative graphic designers. Each designer gets paid to work in the office a minimum of once every week. Each designer spends about 2-3 hours a week creating graphics and visuals that are published on The Observer’s front page and Scene section, as well as online. Designers work closely with the Scene Department primarily, but also respond to News and Sports requests for graphics accompanying stories.
Benefits:
- Paid position
- Build designer portfolio with credited graphics published in print, digitally and on social media accounts
- Enhance Adobe software abilities and refine creative and visual eye by responding to various, diverse graphic requests
Interested?: Just email graphics@ndsmcobserver.com for more information.
No deadline. Feel free to reach out whenever!
Multimedia
Archives Project
The Observer’s “From the Archives” project is a weekly multimedia feature that uncovers and analyzes the most interesting stories from the paper’s history. Contact Uyen Le at hle2@nd.edu for more information.
How it works: From the Archives researchers meet weekly to dig through the archives. After curating several articles with an overarching theme, we write short commentaries to summarize and shed new light on the selection.
Benefits:
- Act like an anthropologist of our tri-campus community by piecing together our fascinating history
- Flexible scheduling, including for researchers with other Observer commitments
- Gain experience processing dense information and making it accessible
Interested?: Contact hle2@nd.edu or stop by our weekly meetings on Mondays at 4 p.m. in The Observer’s office, located in the basement of South Dining Hall.
No deadline. Feel free to join the team whenever!
News
When it comes to all things Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross, The Observer News Department is the primary source. We cover every angle of life in the tri-campus community: Academics, the administration, student life, special events and more. Whether through our breaking news coverage, investigations or feature writing, we are always trying to stay on top of stories and capture the authentic student experience. If you’re a Notre Dame or Holy Cross student, contact news@ndsmcobserver.com for more information. If you’re a Saint Mary’s student, contact smcnews@ndsmcobserver.com for more information.
Audio Team
The Observer News has an Audio Team! One unit will focus on human interest stories (think NPR-style features) and the other focuses on a weekly podcast recapping the latest news.
Applications are currently open for audio team members for both units. To apply to be the podcast host and producer, fill out this application. To apply to be a leader for the human interest stories team, fill out this application.
Note: You do not need to fill out an application to become a general member of the team. Just contact news@ndsmcobserver.com at any time throughout the year to be added to our listserv.
Holy Cross News Writer
Want to land on the front page of The Observer? Want to uncover stories, break news and have an opportunity to shape campus dialogue alongside a passionate team of tri-campus journalists? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Holy Cross News Department might just be the place for you.
How it works: Help us launch our Holy Cross News Department by collaborating with the Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s News Editors and pitching Holy Cross story ideas. Once you’ve signed up for a story, you’ll be tasked with conducting research and writing the article for the date it is slotted. The process typically involves interviewing key campus figures, attending the relevant event or lecture, etc. Once the legwork is complete, writers will produce a 500-1,000 word article for publication. Never written a news article? Not a problem! We’ll teach you everything you need to know.
Benefits:
- Interview and engage with major players on campus, including administrators, student leaders, professors and more
- Break and cover major news stories in the tri-campus community
- Chance to hone key journalistic skills, including investigating and writing
- Work your way up in the News Department and land a paid editorial position
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of news journalism and reporting
Interested?: Help us launch our Holy Cross Department by contacting news@ndsmcobserver.com.
No deadline. Feel free to join the team whenever!
Notre Dame News Writer
Want to land on the front page of The Observer? Want to uncover stories, break news and have an opportunity to shape campus dialogue alongside a passionate team of tri-campus journalists? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Notre Dame News Department might just be the place for you.
How it works: Getting started is easy, all you have to do is swing by our weekly budget meetings (Sundays at 3:30 p.m. in the basement of South Dining Hall) and volunteer to take a story listed on our budget. Once writers have signed up for stories, they will be tasked with conducting research and writing the article for the date it is slotted. The process typically involves interviewing key campus figures, attending the relevant event or lecture, etc. Once the legwork is complete, writers will produce a 500-1,000 word article for publication. Never written a news article? Not a problem! We’ll teach you everything you need to know.
Benefits:
- Interview and engage with major players on campus, including administrators, student leaders, professors and more
- Break and cover major news stories in the tri-campus community
- Chance to hone key journalistic skills, including investigating and writing
- Work your way up in the News Department and land a paid editorial position
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of news journalism and reporting
Interested?: Just fill out this form, swing by our weekly budget meetings Sundays at 3:30 p.m. in the basement of South Dining Hall or reach out to news@ndsmcobserver.com.
No deadline. Feel free to join whenever!
Saint Mary’s News Writer
Want to land on the front page of The Observer? Want to uncover stories, break news and have an opportunity to shape campus dialogue alongside a passionate team of tri-campus journalists? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Saint Mary’s News Department might just be the place for you.
How it works: Getting started is easy, all you have to do is swing by our weekly budget meetings (Fridays at 12 p.m. in the basement of Noble Family Dining Hall) and volunteer to take a story listed on our budget. Once writers have signed up for stories, they will be tasked with conducting research and writing the article for the date it is slotted. The process typically involves interviewing key campus figures, attending the relevant event or lecture, etc. Once the legwork is complete, writers will produce a 500-1,000 word article for publication. Never written a news article? Not a problem! We’ll teach you everything you need to know.
Benefits:
- Interview and engage with major players on campus, including administrators, student leaders, professors and more
- Break and cover major news stories in the tri-campus community
- Chance to hone key journalistic skills, including investigating and writing
- Work your way up in the News Department and land a paid editorial position
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of news journalism and reporting
Interested?: Just fill out this form, swing by our weekly budget meetings Fridays at 4 p.m. in the basement of Noble Family Dining Hall or reach out to smcnews@ndsmcobserver.com.
No deadline. Feel free to join whenever!
Business News Writer
If you want to cover business and economics news relevant to the Notre Dame community, join the business news beat. We cover anything from real estate and minimum wage to hot topic stocks, student entrepreneurs, and professor research.
How it works: Fill out the form below to begin receiving communications from the News department. Business beat writers attend our News department meetings (Sundays at 3:30 p.m. in the basement of South Dining Hall). You can volunteer to write a business news story at your first meeting. No news experience is necessary. We will teach you everything you need to know. You don’t have to be a business or economics major either, as long as you’re interested and ready to learn. Once you take a story, you will conduct relevant research and interviews to write the piece. Before you know it, you’ll have a byline as a business news writer. There’s no required commitment, meaning you can take a story when you’re free and opt out when you’re busy.
Highlights:
- Learn about a variety of business and economic topics by conducting first hand interviews with key professors, students and local business owners
- Get published and add to your portfolio of business writing clips
- Improve your writing skills and practice synthesizing information from a variety of sources
- Access to reporting training and plenty of support from experienced writers and editors
- Many chances to take initiative and pitch your own business story ideas
- Opportunity to move up in the News Department and work a paid position
Your first step? Fill out this form and stop by our weekly News budget meetings Sundays at 3:30 p.m. in the basement of South Dining Hall.
Email news@ndsmcobserver.com with questions. No deadline, no commitments, just business news. Feel free to join whenever. We’re excited to work with you.
Photo
The Observer’s Photo Department captures quality photographs at news and sporting events. Contact photo@ndsmcobserver.com for more information.
Photographer
How it works: The Photo Department has weekly meetings during which photographers sign up to cover events. From sports to news to feature stories, photographers will have a diverse range of events from which to choose. As an essential component of The Observer’s visuals from the website to social media to print, we place a strong emphasis on quality photography. Never worked a camera before? Not a problem! We’ll teach you everything there is to know.
Benefits:
- Paid position (if you work as a production assistant)
- Credentialed field access to sporting events and exclusive front-row access to certain news events
- Use high-quality cameras to shoot assigned events, profiles or features to accompany articles
- Network with other photographers and build portfolio through credited photographs published in The Observer and on Observer social media accounts
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of photography shooting and editing
Interested?: Interested in joining our team? Just fill out this form or email photo@ndsmcobserver.com for more information.
No deadline. Feel free to join whenever!
Scene
The Observer’s Scene section is the heartbeat of arts, culture, lifestyle and entertainment at Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross. We discuss and review everything from movies and television to fashion, food, books, plays and more. We spotlight the artists and culture on our campuses and the surrounding South Bend community. Contact scene@ndsmcobserver.com for more information.
Scene Writer
You have bold opinions about music, movies, all things art. We know you do. Join this award-winning team if you’re interested in writing reviews, columns or cultural thinkpieces.
Interested?: The Scene Department is always looking for new writers. To get started, all you have to do is fill out this form or email scene@ndsmcobserver.com.
Scene Reporter
Talk to the tri-campus’ creative luminaries, find the story and report it. Break the tri-campus bubble by exploring South Bend for all its hidden gems. If you have an investigative eye and like to live tweet, this is the role for you.
Interested?: The Scene Department is always looking for new reporters. To get started, all you have to do is fill out this form or email scene@ndsmcobserver.com.
SceneCast
Silky voiced? Sharp tongued? Contribute to our weekly, discussion-based arts and culture podcast.
Interested?: The Scene Department is always looking for new producers. To get started, all you have to do is fill out this form or email scene@ndsmcobserver.com.
Social Media
The Observer’s Social Media Department is the team in charge of creating content across various social platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. The unit also constructs The Observer’s weekly newsletter, which delivers news straight to subscribers’ inboxes. Contact social@ndsmcobserver.com with questions and to inquire about joining the team!
How it works: The Facebook manager is in charge of utilizing Facebook to its fullest ability to disseminate the work of The Observer. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, creating Facebook posts, monitoring comments, analyzing engagement data, running live-streams and training staffers on professional Facebook use.
Benefits:
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of social media management on Facebook.
- You’ll get to work closely with a growing team in a professional environment.
- You’ll help promote the journalism of The Observer, which is always dedicated to investigating the truth.
Interested? Contact social@ndsmcobserver.com.
How it works: The Instagram team is in charge of utilizing Instagram to its fullest ability to disseminate the work of The Observer. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, creating Instagram posts, monitoring comments, analyzing engagement data, making Instagram stories, running live-streams and training staffers on professional Instagram use.
Benefits:
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of social media management on Instagram.
- You’ll get to work closely with a growing team in a professional environment.
- You’ll help promote the journalism of The Observer, which is always dedicated to investigating the truth.
Interested? Contact social@ndsmcobserver.com.
Newsletter
How it works: The Newsletter team is in charge of utilizing newsletters to their fullest ability to disseminate the work of The Observer and promote media literacy. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, writing a weekly newsletter, compiling content and analyzing data.
Benefits:
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of writing newsletters for a newspaper audience.
- You’ll get to work closely with a growing team in a professional environment.
- You’ll help promote the journalism of The Observer, which is always dedicated to investigating the truth.
Interested? Contact social@ndsmcobserver.com.
Snapchat
How it works: The Snapchat team is in charge of utilizing Snapchat to its fullest ability to disseminate the work of The Observer. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, creating Snapchat stories, monitoring Snapchat use on campus, analyzing engagement data and training staffers on professional Snapchat use.
Benefits:
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of social media management on Snapchat.
- You’ll get to work closely with a growing team in a professional environment.
- You’ll help promote the journalism of The Observer, which is always dedicated to investigating the truth.
Interested? Contact social@ndsmcobserver.com.
How it works: The Twitter team is in charge of utilizing Twitter to its fullest ability to disseminate the work of The Observer. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, writing tweets, monitoring comments, analyzing engagement data, running live-streams and training staffers on professional Twitter use.
Benefits:
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of social media management on Twitter.
- You’ll get to work closely with a growing team in a professional environment.
- You’ll help promote the journalism of The Observer, which is always dedicated to investigating the truth.
Interested? Contact social@ndsmcobserver.com.
Sports
The Observer’s Sports Department is the primary source for coverage of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross sports. Contact sports@ndsmcobserver.com for more information.
Sports Columnist
Want to regularly provide your perspective on all things sports? From junior league to college to professional sports, enjoy a wide berth in writing about anything you want that relates to the competitive, passionate, high-paced world of sports.
How it works: Sports columnists will write their own “Sports Authorities” to be published routinely according to a schedule decided on with the Sports Editor.
Benefits:
- Shape campus dialogue by contributing your sports takes in any manner you choose
- Publish well-researched opinions to nearly 15,000 readers
- Refine your Sports editorial and writing skills through articulating beliefs
Interested?: The Sports Department is always looking for new writers. To get started or learn more, just fill out this form or reach out to sports@ndsmcobserver.com.
No deadline. Feel free to join whenever!
Sports Reporter
Want front-row access to Notre Dame athletes and facilities? Want to engage directly with D1 players, coaches and fans on a variety of sports topics? If you answered yes to either of these questions, the sports reporting world might be a good match for you.
How it works: A writer can sign-up for a “beat,” or a sport(s) that will become his or her specialty. Working with the Sports Editor, the writer will closely follow the team chosen and write a variety of content about it on a volunteer-basis. The more you write, the higher likelihood you have of working your way up to a more coveted beat — primarily football, basketball or hockey. Several beats even include the option to travel to high profile events (Bowl game, conference tournaments, etc.) Sportswriters have the opportunity to cover any angle of a sport(s): Player features, game summaries, previews, commentary, etc. They can also write Sports Authorities, which are sports columns written about anything you want. No previous experience with sportswriting? Not a problem! We’ll teach you everything you need to know.
Benefits:
- Credentialed access to players and facilities before and after games
- Opportunity to hear directly from players and coaches following key athletic performances
- Chance to work closely with high-profile and less-represented teams to provide students with a comprehensive look at the schema of all varsity sports
- Work your way up in the Sports Department and land a coveted beat or editorial position
- We’ll train you! You’ll leave the position with comprehensive knowledge of sports journalism and reporting
Interested?: The Sports Department is always looking for new writers. To get started or learn more, just fill out this form or reach out to sports@ndsmcobserver.com.
No deadline. Feel free to join whenever!
Nightly Production
The Sports Department has multiple paid office positions available to anyone interested in working with The Observer staff on a consistent basis. Become a production staffer, sign up for nightly shifts and help lay-out the Sports Department’s section for the next day’s paper on Adobe InDesign. No production experience? Not a problem! We’ll teach you everything you need to know.
How it works: Sign-up for nightly shifts on a volunteer-basis and get paid while working in a lively office environment. There are three types of Sports nightly production positions: Classies, Production and ASE. Classies is the entry-level position responsible for laying out the classies page of the newspaper on a pre-made template. Production lays out the Sports section on Adobe InDesign by fitting the next day’s content (headlines, stories, pictures, graphics) on a pre-made template. ASEs are responsible for mapping out how the next day’s Sports section will look for the production staffer, fact-checking content and editing Sports stories scheduled for the following day’s paper. Work your way up to ASE by demonstrating excellent writing, communicative and editing abilities.
Benefits:
- Paid position, no experience necessary
- Flexible scheduling
- Enhance design, editing and communication skills
- Develop Adobe and Twitter skills in a fun and inviting office environment
Interested?: To get started or learn more, just fill out this form or reach out to sports@ndsmcobserver.com.
Video
The Observer’s Video Unit is responsible for collaborating with other departments to capture footage of events and people and work on its own short-term projects or longer-term documentaries about anything related to the tri-campus community. Contact editor@ndsmcobserver.com for more information.
Video Producers
If you have a passion for filming, video editing or visual storytelling, our video production team is a good fit for you. Join a small unit of dedicated filmmakers and producers capturing the small, the mundane and the big events through the lens of a camera.
How it works: The Video Unit will work on its own visual projects and respond to video requests from other departments. From filming students voicing their take on a controversial topic for Viewpoint to producing short comedy skits for The Observer YouTube channel to producing features of campus figures or student athletes, the Video Unit will be a dynamic crew covering a variety of topics as a team.
Benefits:
- Flexible hours
- Enjoy wide latitude in choosing and pursuing video topics
- Interact with all Observer sections and gain credentialed access to events and games
- Engage with students, alumni and beyond through revitalizing The Observer’s YouTube channel
- Build videographer profile with credited video shorts and features
Interested?: Just complete this application. No deadline. Feel free to join whenever!
Viewpoint
The Observer’s Viewpoint section is the hub for all opinions and perspectives across the tri-campus community. We publish columns, editorials and Letters to the Editor. Contact viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com for more information.
Columnist
How it works: Observer columnists are responsible for writing a biweekly column of approximately 800 words on a topic of their own choosing and attending a biweekly meeting. Every column must adhere to Viewpoint policies and be well-researched and structured. Applicants not chosen for the permanent columnist position are welcome to submit guest columns, but are not guaranteed regular publication.
Benefits:
- Spark conversation with students, faculty, alumni and beyond
- Publish well-researched opinions to nearly 15,000 readers
- Refine your editorial and writing skills through articulating beliefs
- Work with experienced editorial team to polish and promote columns
Interested?: Email viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com to be kept up to date regarding applications. You can also fill out this form and email it to the Viewpoint Editor at the aforementioned email.
Copyeditor
How it works: Work one night a week in The Observer office ensuring Viewpoint letters, editorials and columns abide by AP Style rules and are polished, clear and fair. Copyeditors also lay out the Viewpoint section on Adobe InDesign.
Benefits:
- Paid position, no experience necessary
- Strengthen copyediting abilities
- Communicate directly with writers and refine your critical eye
- Develop AP Style, Adobe InDesign and Twitter skills in a fun and inviting office environment
Interested?: Just complete this application and send to viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com.
Illustrator
The Observer is seeking creative illustrators who will spend 1-2 hours a week drawing illustrations to accompany Viewpoint pieces.
How it works: Illustrators will respond to visual requests for certain editorials, op-eds or columns and will have a few days to draw or sketch a suitable piece to be published digitally.
Benefits:
- Paid position, no experience necessary
- Enhance creative vision and artistic abilities by bringing editorials, op-eds or columns to life visually
- Build artist portfolio with credited illustrations published on The Observer’s website and social media accounts
Interested?: To join, just reach out to viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com expressing your interest and for more information.
No deadline. Feel free to join whenever!
Podcast Team
Viewpoint is venturing into multimedia by putting together a team responsible for producing a weekly podcast.
How it works: The team will be comprised of producers and sound editors who will decide the podcast’s weekly topic and prepare the audio for digital publication. The podcast will focus on human interest stories in the tri-campus community and interview a different guest each week.
Benefits:
- Venture into Observer multimedia with support of an experienced team
- Lead campus dialogue on national or local issues with topics and guests of your team’s choosing
- Gain production, research, journalism and deadline experience
Interested? Just contact viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com expressing your interest and for more information.
No deadline. Feel free to join whenever!
