Become a Contributor
Join the Nugget Masthead!
Want to see your name in print and get paid to create? For writers, photographers, artists and videographers, there’s a place for you at the Nugget—NAIT’s student news outlet.
We’re currently accepting applications for our writers and photographers to join our masthead contributor team. This is a paid position for NAIT students who want to be involved with the Nugget on a regular basis.
What’s the masthead?
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- You’re an official Nugget contributor who signs and agrees to our code of conduct
- You’re expected to submit at least two pieces a month
- You’ll be paid $100/month, with the opportunity to earn more on additional submissions!
- You’ll have access to weekly pitch meetings, our contributor chat, and the weekly pitch newsletter with tons of story ideas.
- Your name will appear in every print issue even if your pieces don’t, and you’ll get priority selection for the monthly print issue.
- You’ll be a part of the Nugget Contributor Community—a place to chat with other contributors, learn from experts, get help on assignments and more!
- You’ll be eligible for Nugget awards at the end of the academic year.
How do I apply?
To apply, fill out our online form and include:
- A writing sample (for writers—choose from two prompts)
- A brief portfolio (for photographers—show us your work!)
If your application moves forward, you’ll be invited to meet with either the Senior Editor or Editor in Chief to discuss next steps and do a quick onboarding. Applications are reviewed every Monday.
What happens if I am accepted?
If your application is accepted, here’s what happens next:
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- Complete an online training path
- Sign the Code of Conduct
- Get added to our contributor chat
- Start receiving weekly pitch emails—you choose what you want to do!
- Attend occasional contributor socials and exclusive events!
What are the rules?
We’re here to help you grow as a writer, journalist and media expert. But, we also expect accountability and integrity.
- AI Use: Brainstorming? Sure. Editing? Maybe. Full writing? No. We want your voice, not chatGPT’s.
- Meeting Attendance: There are optional pitch meetings every Wednesday from 11-1. Drop in and get first dibs on new assignments, ask questions, or just stop by to say hey!
- Minimum Output: Submit 2 pieces per month. The first time you submit one piece, you’ll be paid $50. Missing your output again means you’ll be removed as a contributor.
- Quality Control: All pieces must meet our editorial standards. If something doesn’t work, we’ll offer feedback. Rewrites or changes may be required.
Can I freelance instead?
You bet! If you are interested in illustration or design, or you just can’t commit to the masthead, you can still contribute—just on a freelance basis. Read more here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need writing experience?
In journalism? No. In writing? Yes—to an extent. We’re a student paper, so we’re looking for student writers. We don’t expect you to be an expert or have mastered the English language, but, you should have a good grasp of storytelling and grammar. If you enjoy writing, but aren’t quite up to the level we’re looking for, consider attending one of our workshops or freelancing for a semester to get feedback and grow your craft.
Do I need photography experience?
You don’t need to be a professional, but you should have some experience in what makes a good photo. If you have your own camera, that’s great, but not required. You can borrow one from the library, sign out the Nugget’s camera, or in some cases, use your phone.
What sort of stories will we write? What about photos?
The stories you write depend on the section you’re writing for—you can indicate any preferences in your application. The Nugget focuses on the NAIT community, so most of what we write or take pictures of is related to the school or students in some way. However, there’s a lot of leeway to write about things that interest you. Students like movies, games, sports and a ton more! If you can connect it to students, we’ll probably let you cover it.
For photography, we’re primarily interested in covering campus life. You may attend an event, a how-to session, an Ooks game or a speaker session. Sometimes we need specific photos for an article, so we’ll ask for photos of the LRT, a particular area of NAIT, or somewhere in the city.
I'm bad at managing my time. Can you help?
Being a contributor is a fairly independent position, but your section editor will regularly check in to see how you are doing throughout each month. We’ll send you a reminder of the article you picked up, poke you if you’re past your deadline, and offer support where we see opportunities. It’s also okay to ask us for help! If you’re struggling to meet a deadline or don’t know where to take an article, drop by the Nugget office and chat to someone on our team.
I don't think I can commit. Can I still participate or have my work published?
If you’re not able to commit to being a contributor, we do accept freelance submissions. These are works you’ve written—on your own—that you can submit to the Nugget. We still pay for freelance, but there are no commitments or expectations. Check out our Guide to Freelancing at the Nugget for more information on what we’re expecting.