Student representatives connect with NCTJ team, editors and each other at bespoke virtual Student Council event

Student representatives have been able to meet each other, quiz editors and give feedback to the NCTJ team at a Student Council webinar.

The NCTJ welcomed 25 students, elected by their peers to represent the views of those on accredited courses, to the bespoke virtual event yesterday morning.

The students were able to communicate their views on journalism training to the NCTJ team and asked questions relating to assessments, qualifications, funding, support and accreditation.

They also joined a ‘meet the editors’ session with Abbie Scott, deputy managing editor of the Financial Times, and Steve Silk, assistant editor of BBC Look East, who gave their advice for starting out in journalism.

This year, questions and feedback submitted by students, distance learners and apprentices were also answered on the same day via a Q&A on the NCTJ’s Instagram stories.

During the Q&A, Maria Breslin, editor of the Liverpool Echo, gave her tips for getting a journalism job and how to stand out in an interview, plus Paul Stanworth, output editor for podcasts at Sky News, gave his views on the value of shorthand.

Other questions related to exam feedback, the NCTJ’s marketing and communications, how to fully utilise the NCTJ’s training outside of the course and how social media features in the NCTJ’s programmes of study.

To view the Q&A, visit the NCTJ’s highlights reel on Instagram at @nctj_news.

Joanne Butcher, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “Students nominated by their peers to join us for this year’s Student Council event represent the next generation of journalists and it’s vital they have a voice to influence our work.

“Students make a big investment in training and qualifying for a career in journalism and we are very keen to listen to their views and take action where we can.

“As well as general feedback about their training and the diploma, students gave us valuable feedback about safety and resilience training and confidence building – current hot topics!”