Application Process
The Journal is currently looking to fill several positions, including a webmaster. All positions are open to students of any year and background, with preferred qualifications stated in individual position descriptions. All staff currently serve on a volunteer basis.
Minimum requirements for all positions:
- Current student at Columbia University (any school, but for executive positions, SIPA is preferred)
- 5 hours of availability per week (non-executive positions); 10 hours per week (executive positions)
- Graduating February 2025 or later
Please provide a suitable statement of interest along with a resumé sent to [email protected] with the subject line "JIA Recruitment 2025." Feel free to email [email protected] with any questions.
Open Positions
Print editors guide the development of a forthcoming Journal of International Affairs print issue through the conceptualization, solicitation, editing, and production phases. Reporting to the Managing Editor for Print, editors provide input on the framing and flow of the issue and work closely as a team to ensure the quality and profile of solicited articles. Editors also cultivate and maintain relationships with contributing authors, provide stylistic and structural feedback, and research and coordinate peer reviewers.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Willingness to directly solicit potential contributors
- Background with the Chicago Manual of Style
- Familiarity with academic citation and evidentiary standards
- Comfort with academic language and argumentation
- Prior editing and/or academic writing experience
- Familiarity with previous issues of the Journal and its current content types
Availability: Candidates should be available immediately to contribute to the Spring 2026 issue. Attendance at weekly Print team meetings is mandatory. Editors generally work up to five hours per week, with a variable workload depending on issue progress.
Digital editors work in a newsroom-style environment to build the online outlet. They pitch and select topics for ad-hoc pieces, miniseries, and book reviews, and suites of digital-only articles. Editors conduct outreach to potential authors, including scholars or practitioners. Editors may also recommend appropriate ways to syndicate thematic content for digital readership, such as roundtables, book reviews, and mini-series. Digital editors are also welcome to volunteer to lead the annual student essay contest, which is housed under the digital division of JIA.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Willingness to directly solicit potential contributors
- Background with the Chicago Manual of Style
- Familiarity with academic citation and evidentiary standards
- Comfort with academic language and argumentation
- Prior editing and/or academic writing experience
- Familiarity with previous issues of the Journal and its current content types
Availability: Candidates should be available to join the Digital team immediately. Attendance at weekly Digital team meetings is mandatory. Editors generally work up to five hours per week, with some variable workload.
The Journal's ABROADcast team seeks a Managing Editor to lead the podcast team in developing and executing its 2025-2026 vision. This role will require weekly meetings with the podcast team to develop themes, episodes, marketing strategies, and expand the audience. Experience with podcasts, media, and international affairs, with the ability to execute content initiatives and processes to grow listenership as well as develop content, is preferred.
The Managing Editor also works with JIA colleagues across the Print and Digital Teams to collaborate on vision, strategy, and goals through mandatory weekly E-board meetings.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Capable with audio editing tools
- Proficient knowledge of podcasts
- Capacity to manage and lead a team through ideation and production stages
- Strong communication skills
- Research and solicitation skills
- Passion and interest in international affairs
- Creativity!
- Familiarity with previous seasons of ABROADcast and its current content types
Availability: Candidates should be available to start team and season development in the Fall 2025 semester, and should be available to join weekly executive board meetings in-person. This position requires 10 hours per week, with some variable workload.
Podcast editors help create and produce Season 4 of ABROADcast. Podcast editors will attend weekly meetings, research/propose episode topics and potential guests, conduct interviews, and potentially assist with audio editing. Candidates interested in hosting should describe their experience and their approach to hosting in their application.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proficient knowledge of podcasts
- Research and solicitation skills
- Passion and interest in international affairs
- Collaborates well with a team
- Some experience generating scripts, editing audio, or writing for podcasts is preferred
- Familiarity with previous seasons of ABROADcast and its current content types
Availability: Candidates should be available to begin season development in the Fall 2025 semester. Editors generally work for 5 hours per week, with some variable workload.
The Marketing Director, an executive position, manages the Journal’s marketing operations. They are expected to work with the Business Director and grow the Journal's audience, including through new subscriptions and publicity. The ideal candidate should have experience with marketing, social media management, and/or communications. The Marketing Director is also responsible for event planning and coordination for JIA. The position is closely involved in the executive function of the Journal, in consultation with the managing editors, advisors, and the business director.
The Marketing Director works with JIA colleagues across Editorial and Podcast teams, as well as with the Webmaster, to collaborate on vision, strategy, and goals through weekly meetings.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Skilled in team leadership, management, and event planning
- Skilled in marketing and processes for audience growth
- Experience in developing/implementing communications and marketing strategies (i.e., Twitter, mailing lists, LinkedIn; academic Twitter preferred)
- Comfort with directing cross-team coordination
- Strong communication skills
- Passion and interest in international affairs
Availability: Candidates should be available to start ASAP. The position is expected to be a 7-hour-per-week commitment and include weekly meetings, with some variable workload.
The Journal's webmaster assists the editorial board in managing and maintaining the Journal's website. The webmaster is expected to be the expert in the new Drupal platform and to support the editorial board in troubleshooting the site's tools. The webmaster is expected to advise the editorial team on maintaining consistency and quality in posting content. Projects for Fall 2025 include updating past pieces on the site and updating individual staff and contributors' pages with biographical information.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Skilled in site management
- Experience in working with organizations or teams on their web presence
- Passion and interest in international affairs
- Experience in an undergraduate or other school journal/masthead preferred
Availability: Candidates should be available 5 hours per week, starting ASAP.
The Director of Design will lead the Journal’s visual identity and creative direction across print, digital, and podcast platforms. This role is responsible for ensuring consistency, accessibility, and high-quality design standards in all Journal outputs — from layout of the print issue and digital articles, to podcast branding and marketing collateral. The Director of Design will collaborate closely with editors, the Marketing Director, and the Webmaster to shape the Journal’s brand, improve visual storytelling, and expand audience engagement through strong design.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proficiency with design and layout tools (e.g., Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, or comparable platforms)
- Familiarity with principles of publication layout and digital media design
- Experience in developing brand identity and applying style guidelines across multiple media
- Ability to collaborate effectively with editorial, marketing, and web teams
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Creativity and passion for visual storytelling in international affairs
- Experience designing for print publications or academic journals preferred
- Prior experience with web or podcast-related design is a plus
Availability: Candidates should be available 5-7 hours per week, starting ASAP.