Do you want to be a journalist? Or just make your mates laugh? Become a Tab section editor

Bored in the library? Do something which matters – join The Tab Exeter for the next academic term.

Yes, we all have exams on. And yes, there are essays to hand in. But you’re reading this rather than revising – you might as well be doing constructive with your time like running Exeter’s media powerhouse.

Anyone can write for us. If you’re confident enough in your own ability to make other humans interested in what you have to say and heaven forbid even make them laugh sometimes then you’ll be perfect for us.

Being a section editor, though, takes a little bit more than just writing occasionally. You need to be organised, a good communicator, diligent and other adjectives.

The Tab Exeter’s alumni work and write for (to name but a few) The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Vogue and The Daily Mail.

You WILL get a job in journalism if you get a section editor role and make it your own.

Interested? Email your CV, why you’d be good and three article plans for the section you want to run to [email protected] by 11.59pm on Saturday.

Take a look at the roles below and see what you could offer

“The Tab Exeter was an excellent springboard to get into journalism professionally. It gave me a foundation of training, improved my news sense and sparked my enthusiasm for journalism in general.

“It gave me the initial experience I needed to get local work experience, which led to national work experience.

“I would not have got my place on the Journalism course at City if it was not for my involvement with The Tab.”

The Sunday Times’ Sanya Burgess
News Editor, September-December 2012
Deputy Editor, January-June 2013

Head of news

This is where the real journalism happens. News is why The Tab exists and as editor, you’ll be on the front line, finding the exclusives which get everyone on campus talking.

News doesn’t work like other sections. A news editor’s job is to build a network of sources through contacts, connections and other members of the team, manage a group of reporters who can be on the scene as a story is breaking, and someone with good communication and organisational skills – so they get the right people to the right places at the right time asking the right questions when they’re there.

The measure of success is how many stories you beat your rivals to, but the extra bonus is seeing your story in all the national papers, which happens to a different Tab newshound every day.

Every paper wants to employ our News Editors: they know they’ve done proper journalism.

Role models: Nick Davies (Guardian), Guido Fawkes (legendary blog)

Features editor

Features is most people’s favourite section, because we do proper journalism, not “10 things you know if you’re an English student”.

Tab features are all about leaving your laptop – and it’s your job to make sure your writers are doing so.

You’ll be managing a big team who meet once a week, and you should make sure everyone leaves the meeting writing a well developed article and deadline. Don’t just listen to their idea – talk it through with them and suggest ways to improve it.

A Features Editor should read a lot and have a very good understanding of what good writing looks like. The main focus is to deliver an idea in a way which engage readers the most, meaning writers use examples they’re confident their readers will both understand and find entertaining.

Role models: Camilla Long (The Times), Clive Martin (Vice), Joshi Herrmann (Evening Standard and former Tab editor)

Argument editor

More people read Argument pieces than any other section – because it really targets passion points which get your mates talking.

Inspiration can come from serious news stories, such as the Vice-Chancellor’s pay packet, but we also write about more light-hearted topics, like defending rugby lads.

The Argument Editor uses their wit to transform a rant into an eloquent opinion piece, without making it self-indulgent.

They prefer clever ideas to clever writing, and they’ll ignite passion within their writers, drawing original opinions out of them and then showing them how to put them into words.

You’ll be giving platform to views which matter, and thousands of people will read your section because of it.

Role models: Marina Hyde (The Guardian), Rod Liddle (The Sunday Times), Piers Morgan (Daily Mail)

Fashion editor

Fashion Editors are good at making people feel comfortable – who doesn’t want to be told they’re dressed nicely?

You’ll be out on campus snapping the best dressed at least once a week, but being in charge of the Fashion section doesn’t end there.

Use your creative flair to organise shoots using clothes from the local vintage store, or go and try on the best outfits for the AU Ball. Get the Fashion Society involved and see how you can work together. The section really is your own to be as inventive and original as you like.

Role models: Ellie Pithers (Telegraph and former Tab editor), Anna Wintour (Vogue editor)

Sport editor

Sports clubs are the most talked about group on campus – and the wildest. Just because the only people who care about the matches are the teams themselves, doesn’t mean we should ignore the people in the clubs.

As Sports Editor, you need to get in with the Captains and Presidents. Profile a team a week and go on a social with them: in return you’ll get all the gossip. Getting all these key people on side is the secret to having a successful Tab.

You’ll have a lot of writers who want to do match reports, and it’s your job to show them focusing on the people in the teams is way more interesting. What do people care more about: the fact Luis Suarez scored in the 79th minute or the fact he keeps biting people?

Role models: Sam Dean (The Tab and The Telegraph), David Walsh (The Sunday Times), Martin Samuel (The Daily Mail)

Social media editor

We live our lives through social media, and it’s important to make sure people engage with The Tab on every possible platform.

As Social Media Editor, you’ll be in charge of finding the pictures, videos and tweets everyone talks about. We post at least one a day on Facebook, but you can use Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Yik Yak and anything else people are using.

The Tab’s voice should be communicated in everything we put out, which is why your sharp wit, sense of humour and understanding of what your peers are raving about it will be crucial to The Tab’s success.

Role models: Mangal 2, Paddy Power, Richard Moynihan (Telegraph)