About This Role
This student position supports the Department's communications by managing its Instagram presence and producing a monthly e-newsletter. The role is for a sharp writer with an eye for visuals, who is organized, proactive, and comfortable collaborating with faculty and students to source content that reflects the department's teaching, research, and community.
Responsibilities
- Maintain a consistent Instagram posting cadence (feed, Stories, Reels as appropriate) aligned with departmental priorities and the university brand
- Plan a monthly content calendar; draft captions; select/edit photos or short video; schedule posts; monitor comments and DMs
- Track basic analytics (reach, engagement, follower growth) and provide brief monthly summaries with recommendations
- Work with the faculty supervisor to collect photos, updates, event announcements, student/faculty spotlights, and research highlights
- Obtain permissions/credits for images and ensure accessibility (alt text, clear typography)
- Compile and publish a department newsletter (template provided) featuring student research, faculty news, events, job/internship opportunities, and alumni highlights
- Maintain a simple content tracker (submissions, deadlines, approvals); proofread for accuracy and tone; distribute via the provided platform
- Provide light coverage of on-campus events (e.g., one or two photos, short recap) as needed
- Ensure all outputs follow AU communications and accessibility guidelines
Requirements
- Current American University undergraduate in good academic standing
- Strong written and visual communication skills; confident, concise caption writing
- Demonstrated experience with Instagram (posting, Stories/Reels, tagging, alt text) and basic analytics
- Proficiency with common design and scheduling tools (e.g., Canva/Adobe)
- Excellent organization and time management; able to hit recurring monthly and weekly deadlines
- Professionalism, attention to detail, and comfort coordinating with faculty, staff, and students
- This position is available only to enrolled American University students
Important Details
- Schedule: 10 hours per week
Application Process
- Submit: Resume, 2–3 sample posts or short-form pieces you’ve created or links to relevant work (can be coursework), a brief statement (≤200 words) describing your vision for our department’s social media presence and 2–3 accounts you find inspiring (tell us why)
- State if you are Federal Work Study or not
About the Company
American University is an E-Verify employer.