The Daily Californian needs more than just great writers. There are numerous other positions in both editorial and business operations. Read the descriptions below to find out how you can be a part of one of the oldest independent student newspapers.
Writing Positions
News Writer | Sports Writer | Arts Writer | Columnist | Blogger
Other Editorial Positions
Photographer | Designer | Copy Editor | Editorial Cartoonist
Graphic Artist | Illustrator
Business Positions
Account Executive | Receptionist | Finance Intern
Production Positions
Production Artist | Night Production Intern
Writing Positions
News Writer
Thrown into the middle of a campus with more than 30,000 students and a city of more than 100,000, you will be covering the day's latest stories and hottest issues. Learn about and be the first to report everything from how the city is using new regulations to allow landlords to raise rents to how the student government is in a major legal battle in federal court. On a daily basis, you'll talk to and meet Chancellor Birgeneau and Mayor Bates as well as headline-makers such as former President Bill Clinton. You will be in the middle of it all. And your name will be on the front page.
Prior news experience is helpful, but not necessary. The ability to type fast, take good notes and listen well as well as good phone skills are pluses. If you love to be the first on the scene, this is for you.
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Sports Writer 
If you love sports, writing for the sports department is the place for you. As a sports writer, you'll cover a beat on one of Cal's Division I sports teams at a time when Cal athletics is having one of its most successful eras ever. Sportswriters receive press passes to events, paid travel to selected away games and the opportunity to develop professional relationships with the school's athletes�some of whom become Olympic gold medalists (Natalie Coughlin) and professional all-stars (Jason Kidd).
The job requires dedication, commitment, and a willingness to ask questions and analyze events. A basic level of writing ability is recommended and you may be writing about a sport with which you may not be familiar with, but don't be afraid if you're not Ray Ratto yet - that's why you have editors.
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Arts Writer
Berkeley is nothing if not a vast battleground of artistic happenings all vying for the attention of the review section. The San Francisco Bay Area is a sweltering hotbed of free concerts, films, poetry readings, festivals, community theater, art gallery openings...the list is virtually inexhaustible. It's the arts reporter's job to put it all under close and frequent scrutiny so a pop culture-hungry Berkeley public will know what's worth checking out.
Writing for arts is a great way to polish your bourgeoning writing skills and we're always looking for new writers. So if you fancy yourself a freelance journalist with a sweet tooth for local color, arts is the place for you. We'd love to see how you can help us fight the fight to keep Berkeley artistically well-informed.
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Columnists
Do you have the best ideas, but no one to listen? As a weekly columnist, you'll use your powers of wit, humor and analysis to entertain the Daily Cal's wide readership. Tuesday is the home of the Sex on Tuesday column, but the other four days of the week are open to fresh and thought-provoking discussions on any topic. Whether dissecting politics for the masses, giving advice on genital piercings or commenting on Berkeley goings-on, columnists must be absolutely fascinating.
Excellent columnists have an engaging and entertaining voice week after week. It's no piece of cake, but it's a great learning experience - and quite the ego boost.
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Bloggers
The Daily Clog is home to The Daily Californian's solely web-based section, and it's always looking for new bloggers. Bloggers are born whiners who love to complain, write about their complaints and do pretty much nothing (but exercise biting wit) about their complaints. You'll get a whole blank page worth of freedom and the opportunity to splash snark throughout your commentary on the goings-on of the Berkeley community. You don't need to be all that web-savvy, but it helps if you think that "Internet" should no longer be spelled with a capital "I."
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Other Editorial Positions
Photographer 
Daily Cal photographers visually document the defining moments in Berkeley history. Whether on assignment at nudist protests or on the field at the Big Game, photographers capture the emotions of life. In addition to news and sports coverage, photographers shoot concerts and community events for the arts section. You'll be introduced to professional level digital equipment while working with flexible hours.
Great photographers are professional, creative, enthusiastic, and reliable. We also encourage all photographers that apply to have basic working knowledge of cameras and prior experience with single lens reflex (SLR) cameras. While Adobe Photoshop skills are not necessary, they are preferred.
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Designer
Designers are the unsung heroes of the newspaper. Although their name doesn't appear in the paper, designers are responsible for readers� first impressions. As a designer, you will create eye-popping spreads which integrate stories and visual content in an effective and visually interesting manner. Design is one of the few positions that works directly with every other desk on a daily basis. Designers work closely with the paper�s section editors to ensure fair and accurate representation of content. As such, design is a great way to meet and interact with the entire office from photographers and writers to editors and illustrators.
While experience in page layout is helpful, it is not necessary if you are willing to put in the time and effort to learn. Great designers are excellent communicators, flexible in their designs, hard-working, creative and open to the paper's learning-oriented atmosphere.
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Copy Editor
Misplaced commas and egregious spelling errors got you down? As a member of the copydesk you'll get to satisfy your urge to rid the world of bad grammar. Copy editors are responsible for keeping the newspaper clear, consistent and correct. With a fine-tooth comb for spelling, grammar and AP Style, the copydesk is the last line of defense against libel. Other job functions include writing captions for photos and creating punchy headlines�it never gets old seeing yours on the front page. Copy editors typically work one or two three-hour evening shifts per week. No prior knowledge of AP Style required.
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Editorial Cartoonist
Editorial cartoons are the visual centerpieces of the Opinion pages. They're smart, funny and leave readers thinking about an issue well after they're through with the newspaper. As you showcase your artwork every week, you'll learn how to communicate an idea in just one frame.
Editorial cartoonists must develop creative ideas and have a unique drawing style. This isn't drudge work - work on your own time with the freedom to choose your topics.
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Graphic Artist
The Daily Californian aims to engage its readers with visual content and we need talented graphic artists to do so! Graphic artists have the difficult task of inventing creative and attention-grabbing infographics to clearly convey important information to readers. Experience with Photoshop and Illustrator desired. Graphic artists must be willing to work hard on short notice and have tons of ideas for displaying statistics and detailed information in non-text forms.
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Illustrator
Illustrators provide the imaginative edge to the newspaper. The Daily Cal seeks artists of various media willing to create dynamic art pieces for all sections. As freelance artists for the paper, illustrators are also given the freedom to contribute to other publications. Working for the Daily Californian is a great way to showcase your artwork to the campus and build your portfolio as an artist.
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Business Positions
Account Executive 
Being an account executive is more than just a sales position. In addition to overseeing clients' accounts, you'll learn to make responsible and intelligent business decisions in the real world. Constant interaction with clients via phone and one-on-one meetings will strengthen your communication and professional skills. By giving account executives responsibility and a great amount of flexibility, the Daily Cal helps students get their start in business careers.
Candidates should be confident and persuasive with strong communication skills. They must be goal-oriented with a drive to succeed in the business world.
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Receptionist
Do you have the gift of gab? Are you organized and love multitasking? Then you have what it takes to be a receptionist. Ideal candidates have great communication and organizational skills. We're looking for sociable people who work well with others but also stay on top of things without supervision. The greatest part of being a receptionist is you get to know people from both the business and editorial sides of the company. Hours are flexible and you can choose your schedule. No previous office experience is required, although it is preferred.
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Finance Intern
As finance interns, students will learn how to manage the financial component of a business to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. The position offers students a well rounded experience in all phases of accounting.
Interns will take on accounts receivable by billing orders weekly, mailing invoices, depositing checks, accepting collections, creating commission statements for our ad team and reconciling bank records. Accounts payable duties include inputting invoices, maintaining vendor files, monitoring check numbers and cutting checks for payment with the Daily Cal?s accrual system. Maintaining employee files, workman's compensation and Union reports as well as inputting payroll will teach students the basics behind every employee's check. Other responsibilities include monitoring the Daily Cal's cash flow, entering orders and reporting at month end.
Great finance interns have initiative and are resourceful. They follow up on procedures and manage difficult workplace situations. Opportunities for cross training with other areas are available after interns master assigned responsibilities.
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Production Positions
Production Artist
Working with Editorial and Advertising, a production artist makes advertisements for our advertisers, and provides internal support for design projects and promotional materials. Applicants for this position should have interests in graphic design or advertising.
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Night Production Intern
Working from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m., our night production staff is responsible for finishing the day's work by transmitting the final version of the newspaper to the printer. Before putting the paper to bed though, night production interns produce the classifieds layout, place advertising fills when necessary and work on creating new and exciting designs for speculative advertising ads designed in-house to be pitched to potential advertisers.
Acting as a universal agent to the business and editorial sides of the organization, night production interns assist editors with final assembly of pages and troubleshoot any problems with the office's systems and equipment.
Interns must be knowledgeable in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator or Photoshop and understand the workings of Mac OS 9 and OS X. Graphic design skills and the ability to work under strict deadlines also required.
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