Latest edition of the NCTJ’s Careers Guide offers opportunity to win exclusive talk from FT journalist

Schools and colleges around the country have the chance to win an exclusive, bespoke talk from a Financial Times journalist in the latest edition of the NCTJ’s Careers guide, out for delivery today.

The handy A5 brochure, which encourages young people to consider a career in journalism, is due to land on nearly 4,000 secondary schools, colleges and job centre doorsteps from today.

On the back page there is an opportunity for the schools to get involved with a free competition to win a talk from an FT journalist for their students.

All they have to do is use a QR code on the back of the guide to sign up the FT Schools Programme.

This programme gives schools around the world and further education colleges in the UK free access to FT.com.

Between September 2023 and May 2024, the FT will randomly select three winners from the schools which signed up.

Adele Jones, editorial early careers and development manager at the FT, said: “We are delighted to offer three schools the chance to win a talk from an FT journalist in the next academic year.

“Students will be able to ask for career advice or find out what a day in the life of an FT journalist is like.

“Teachers can sign up for free FT.com access for themselves and their students aged 16-19 to find articles selected by education specialists to support classroom discussions.”

The guide also includes interviews with budding journalists entering the profession via a range of pathways, such as apprenticeships, part-time and full-time courses, and those who received a Journalism Diversity Fund bursary through the NCTJ.

QR code to enter the competition for a chance to win an exclusive talk from an FT journalist

There are also features about the art of storytelling and the characteristics of a journalist, such as having good listening skills and an inquisitive mind

The cover star is Emily Davison, a visually-impaired student who is now in her dream journalism job as a reporter for Newsquest’s News Shopper after bespoke NCTJ training offered by Ability Today’s Academy for Disabled Journalists.

Natalie Coleman, the NCTJ’s quality and standards manager, said: “It is our aim to reach every school and college in the UK, to guide students on the right path to a successful career in journalism.

“Our careers guide provides a great insight into the journey of our alumni, with stories about their studies and the start of their career as journalists.

“Our exacting performance standards guarantee high-quality journalism education and training.

“Students can take a look at our NCTJ-accredited courses listed in the guide. If you are interested in becoming an NCTJ-accredited course, please do get in touch.”

The competition’s T&Cs are available at FT.com.

The guide is now available to read online here.

To request a print copy, please contact Franki Berry, communications manager at the NCTJ, using Frances.Berry@nctj.com.