How do I get started?
Interested in volunteering in some form? There are a few ways you can get involved:
1) E-mail the Editor-in-Chief at editor@thecord.ca and let them know what you’d like to do. You can draw, write, edit, take photos, shoot video, or help with online development. From there, the EIC will ask you to come in for a quick meeting that gives you the lowdown on what The Cord is about, and will give your contact information to the appropriate editor/staff member to help you get started.
2) Fill out our online application below and wait for a section editor to contact you to come in for training and orientation.
Do I need experience? What skills do I need?
No experience is needed. Laurier’s Waterloo campus doesn’t provide a journalism program, so we’re the place students can come learn hard and soft skills not taught in a classroom. Not interested in journalism? That’s fine too — we offer a range of opportunities for you to do while working on whatever you want to achieve when you get into the “real” world.
What is the time commitment?
Volunteers are asked to contribute at least twice within a four-week span, but this can vary, so communicate what works best for you with your editor. If you want to write every week or take more than one photo a week, we’re totally cool with that, but if you find it a struggle when midterms come around, we understand.
Are there meetings?
Some editors have meetings, some don’t. Ask your respective editor how they choose to manage their section and go from there. Each aspect of The Cord operates differently.
How do I choose what to write about?
Section editors are required to come up with content for the week. They will pitch these stories to volunteers for them to take on as assignments. If you have an idea and really want your editor to know, then pitch it — we welcome new ideas and are always looking for interesting content.
Are there opportunities for advancement?
Plenty! Every March we hire our new editorial board and senior staff under the newly hired Editor-in-Chief, usually around 15-20 positions. These people will be in charge the year after and are the ones responsible for making sure the paper makes it to the printers on time.
Sound like something you want to do? Fill out the form below, or e-mail editor@thecord.ca for more information.
[contact-form to=’editor@thecord.ca’ subject=’Volunteer Request’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Year of Study’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’What do you want to do?’ type=’checkbox-multiple’ required=’1′ options=’Graphic Artist,Photographer,Writer,Opinion Columnist,Videographer,Copy Editor’/][contact-field label=’If you want to write, what section do you want to write for? (Check all that apply)’ type=’checkbox-multiple’ options=’Arts %26amp; Life,News,Opinion,Sports’/][/contact-form]
