Student Associate - Communications

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, UT

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Student Communications Assistant supports the Manager of Operations with the Department of Ophthalmology’s internal and external communications initiatives. The primary focus is departmental communications, including social media management, producing the quarterly newsletter in Mailchimp, developing and updating website content, and identifying stories that highlight faculty, trainees, staff, research, education, clinical programs, and community engagement. The position may also support other digital communications and website-related projects as needed. The role involves creating content for social media, the department website, and the quarterly newsletter; communicating with members of the department and partners to develop stories; and supporting communications for events and programs. The position is based at the UT Main Campus. Hybrid work may be available based on departmental needs, and attendance at selected on-campus events may be required. Occasional evening or event work may be requested with advance notice. The position is expected to continue until May 31, 2027.

Requirements

Current enrollment as a University of Texas at Austin student and eligibility for student employment.
Coursework or experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, digital media, graphic design, or a related field.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and storytelling ability.
Experience creating content for social media, websites, newsletters, student organizations, or other digital platforms.
Demonstrated attention to detail, sound judgment, and ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to handle information appropriately and follow departmental review and approval processes before publication.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing social media accounts for a student organization, academic program, nonprofit, or business.
Success growing audience engagement or expanding the reach of digital content.
Experience maintaining website content through a content management system.
Familiarity with Mailchimp, Canva, website content management systems, or similar content creation and digital marketing tools.
Experience identifying and developing stories, interviewing individuals, and translating complex information into clear and accessible content.
Familiarity with social media analytics, graphic design, photography, videography, and video editing.
Experience promoting events and initiatives through digital communication channels.
Interest in health care, academic medicine, higher education, education, research, or community engagement.
Highly organized, creative, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple projects while meeting established deadlines.

Responsibilities

Identify story opportunities and gather information from faculty, residents, fellows, staff, students, and departmental partners.
Draft stories, profiles, announcements, and captions that reflect the department’s mission and accomplishments.
Support planning, content collection, editing, layout, testing, and distribution of the quarterly newsletter using Mailchimp.
Maintain an editorial calendar and track newsletter submissions, approvals, and deadlines.
Develop and schedule social media content, adapt stories for different channels, collect appropriate photos and content, and help maintain a consistent professional voice and visual identity.
Assist with communications for lectures, educational programs, research activities, recruitment, recognition, and departmental events.
Capture or organize photos and short-form multimedia content when appropriate.
Maintain organized communication files, image libraries, content calendars, and basic engagement records.
Proofread materials, verify names and details, and perform other related duties as assigned.
Follow departmental review and approval processes before content is published.