The first choice is staff work or submitting a piece. A staff application puts you into a publication's reporting, editing, design or production routine. A submission can get your work published without a staff role. UCLA's Media & Publications directory has 44 groups, and their join notes do not describe one common hiring process. Check the role and the application on each outlet's page before preparing a generic writing sample.
The Daily Bruin hires by section
The Daily Bruin covers campus news, sports, arts, opinion and multimedia. It takes online applications each hiring cycle. Its join note says applicants can apply to only one section, do not need prior journalism experience and, if accepted, complete mandatory training in week three of the quarter. The recruitment email list is the way to hear about the next cycle. Pick the section whose work you can follow closely enough to pitch or produce it, then read that cycle's application before writing a response.
BruinLife makes the yearbook and a culture and lifestyle publication. Its fall intern roles include writing, copy, illustration, photojournalism and video podcast work. Its join note says no experience is required, but applicants may choose only one position within a branch; they can apply separately to its Online and Annual branches. Nommo, a Black student newsmagazine, lists writing, photojournalism, design, illustration and video intern roles through the UCLA Student Media application site. These are specific jobs, so read the role description before sending the same material to every outlet.
Newsmagazines recruit their own staffs
FEM publishes feminist multimedia work and accepts applications in fall and winter through UCLA Student Media. Its join note says interns need no professional experience and can work in writing, design or video. Al-Talib covers issues important to Muslim communities and also directs prospective staff to the Student Media application, with a mailing list for updates. Ha'Am covers news and opinion of interest to Jewish students. It invites applicants from any major for editorial and creative work, along with social media and business roles.
OutWrite publishes queer perspectives. Its join note points readers to a mailing list and a guest submission form. That is a direct route for a piece even if you are not joining a staff. The distinction is useful across publications: a call for submissions asks for work, while a staff application asks you to help produce the publication on an ongoing basis.
Radio and independent outlets use different doors
UCLA Radio is a student-run station whose members work on programming, audio production, design, web development and photography, among other jobs. Its join note currently points students to the Radio Report newsletter. Sign up for that first, then watch for a role or program announcement; the note does not give a standing staff application.
Independent outlets set their own terms. The Bruin Review publishes opinion and satire and links a fall application. Forward Magazine covers fashion and arts and has separate general member and executive board applications. The Westwood Enabler posts applications for writers and designers on its Join page. Its writing test asks for five original headlines and an article based on one; designers send three image samples. This is one of the clearest examples of a publication spelling out the work it wants to see.
Journals separate writers, editors and submissions
UCLA Undergraduate Law Journal has separate applications for writers and editors. Undergraduate Journal of International Law recruits writers, editors and interns through its listed applications. Bruin Political Review also takes writer and editor applications for its political journal. An editor role means working on someone else's text as well as your own ideas, so choose the application that matches the work you want to do.
Science journals have production work beyond writing. Undergraduate Science Journal publishes undergraduate STEM research and recruits staff selectively, including an assistant managing editor role and general staff roles. Undergraduate Research Journal of Psychology lists an application for editing, marketing and submissions or workshop staff. Westwind takes a different approach: any UCLA student can join staff by coming to meetings, and submissions are open to all. It publishes literary and visual work.
Graduate and law journals need closer reading
The directory also includes UCLA Law Review, a student-run law publication, and Mester, the graduate journal of UCLA's Spanish and Portuguese department. Their directory entries describe the publications but do not give a staff recruitment process. Do not assume an undergraduate can apply just because a journal appears in the same list.
Critical Planning Journal is more explicit: graduate students across disciplines can email to join its editorial committee as editors, reviewers, translators or designers. FLAT Journal accepts writing, images, video and interactive work through open calls, with themes posted on its site. Neither route requires guessing at a general staff form.
What to do this week
- Choose the work, then the outlet. Read recent pieces and pick reporting, editing, design, audio or research work you would keep doing after the application.
- Check the exact join note. A Student Media application, a journal staff form and a guest submission are different requests. Follow the link for the role you want.
- Prepare what that role asks for. The Westwood Enabler states its writing and design exercises. Other outlets may set different prompts in the current application.
- Get on update lists. The Daily Bruin recruitment list, UCLA Radio's newsletter and newsmagazine mailing lists help you catch the next opening if this cycle has passed.