Volunteer Positions
This Side of West is run by a dedicated group of UVic undergraduate students.
Volunteering with This Side of West is a great opportunity for UVic undergrads to gain hands-on experience in editing and publishing, while becoming part of the campus writing community.
We are currently looking for volunteers to fill the positions listed below. Applications will remain open until October 10, 2025. There is no need to apply early.
All positions run until April 2026, with the opportunity to continue for the rest of your degree (no re-application required).
No references are required to apply.
Interns (4 positions)
Priority is given to first-year writing students when hiring intern roles.
Interns are typically promoted to an editor position in a genre of their choice in the following year—or, if interested, to the role of Social Media Director or Visual Director. Fine Arts students are also encouraged to apply, particularly if they are interested in social media or visual responsibilities, alongside some writing-related tasks, as interns.
Responsibilities:
- Attend monthly TSOW meetings.
- Promote TSOW to first-year students and share information in WRIT100.
- Distribute posters around campus.
- Shadow an editor in a genre of your choice and assist with the submission selection process.
- Lead one open mic event, with help from other staff.
- Contribute to social media promotion (optional).
To apply, send the following to thissideofwest@gmail.com
- A one-page cover letter.
- A résumé outlining relevant experience.
- A creative writing sample in your preferred genre (max. 500 words, or 250 words for poetry). Excerpts are welcome.
Drama Editor (1 position)
Editor positions are generally offered to students who have completed at least one workshop in the genre they are applying for.
Responsibilities:
- Attend monthly TSOW meetings.
- Collaborate with the co-drama editor to review and select submissions for Issue 24.
- Mentor intern(s) interested in drama.
- Promote TSOW events in classes and to peers.
- Help facilitate and participate in TSOW events.
To apply, send the following to thissideofwest@gmail.com
- A one-page cover letter.
- A résumé outlining relevant experience.
- A creative writing sample (screenplay or stage play, max. 500 words). Excerpts are welcome.
Creative Non-Fiction Editor (1 position)
Editor positions are generally offered to students who have completed at least one workshop in the genre they are applying for.
Responsibilities:
- Attend monthly TSOW meetings.
- Collaborate with the co-CNF editor to review and select submissions for Issue 24.
- Mentor intern(s) interested in CNF.
- Promote TSOW events in classes and to peers.
- Help facilitate and participate in TSOW events.
To apply, send the following to thissideofwest@gmail.com
- A one-page cover letter.
- A résumé outlining relevant experience.
- A creative writing sample (CNF, max. 500 words). Excerpts are welcome.
Poetry Editor (1 position)
Editor positions are generally offered to students who have completed at least one workshop in the genre they are applying for.
Responsibilities:
- Attend monthly TSOW meetings.
- Collaborate with the co-poetry editor to review and select submissions for Issue 24.
- Mentor intern(s) interested in poetry.
- Promote TSOW events in classes and to peers.
- Help facilitate and participate in TSOW events.
To apply, send the following to thissideofwest@gmail.com
- A one-page cover letter.
- A résumé outlining relevant experience.
- A creative writing sample (poetry, max. 250 words). Excerpts are welcome.
F.A.Q.
Still have a question about volunteering at This Side of West?
This Side of West represents the writing department as the Writing Undergraduate Course Union. Therefore, priority for writing-related positions are given to Writing students. However, students from any faculty are still encouraged to apply, especially for roles such as Social Media Director and Visual Director.
Usually 1 school year (2 semesters). This is subject to change as noted in our Code of Conduct. Each applicant must be available for a full school year (i.e. if you are graduating in December 2023, you cannot apply).
No, but staff members are usually provided 1 complimentary book a year: Issue 24.
Yes, you can, however, priority for the Intern position is granted to first years, since a major part of being an intern is connecting the first year Writing community at UVic with TSOW.
Please send your application and supplementary materials to thissideofwest@gmail.com
The weekly time commitment at TSOW differs per role, with some weeks having minimal to no work, and others (usually after submission periods close) requiring about 2-6 hours/week.
Ruby Harris (Editor-in-Chief) and Eden Conti (Managing Editor).