The university’s Centre for Journalism has linked up with the John Schofield Trust (JST), in a new pilot scheme which has just got underway
Journalism students at the University of Kent are to be given mentors in the industry to help them get started in their careers, thanks to a new partnership.
The university’s Centre for Journalism has linked up with the John Schofield Trust (JST), in a new pilot scheme which has just got underway. It’s the first time the trust has extended its mentoring schemes into higher education.
Seven students from Year 2 of the BA Journalism course are to be given mentors who are established journalists, after applying directly to the trust. They will meet their mentors regularly, virtually or in-person, over a year to gain support plus insight into the profession. Students will be matched to people in a journalistic field they are interested in working in.
They will also get to take part in masterclasses organised by the trust, plus training and networking events.
It is hoped that some of the masterclasses will take place at the university, so that more Kent students can benefit.
The partnership came about thanks to sponsorship and support from Journalism’s division, LSSJ, and its Student Success and Employability teams.
Head of the Centre for Journalism, Professor Ian Reeves, said the centre was delighted with the partnership, which would help students in their careers.
“The trust has a strong record in helping young journalists in their careers through mentoring schemes and masterclasses. We know how difficult it can be for young people to get started in journalism and how the support and guidance of others can help,” he said.
“At the University of Kent, students get excellent training in TV, Radio, Print and Online Journalism on NCTJ-accredited courses and many of our graduates are in news organisations across the UK and the world. This extra support from JST Senior Fellows will ensure more will follow in their footsteps and move up the career ladder, once they are on it.”
CEO of the John Schofield Trust, David Stenhouse, said: “It’s fantastic to have the University of Kent on board for this project. We’re really excited to offer mentoring to undergraduate students for the first time, and hope this will be beginning of a long relationship for the benefit of students and journalism in general!”
Five other universities, in the UK and the Irish Republic, are involved in the pilot scheme.