Claremont Senior School’s Sophie H from Year 12 has secured a spot in The Telegraph Media Literacy Programme. Running throughout March, the initiative is designed to nurture the next generation of journalists by equipping them with essential skills and insights into the media industry.
Sophie stands among up to 300 other UK students selected for this month-long programme, which prioritises breaking down career barriers in journalism and fostering critical media engagement. By connecting participants with experienced Telegraph journalists, the scheme presents an invaluable landscape for learning and personal growth.
The programme provides a realistic preview of the journalism landscape. Its scope extends to imparting advice on pursuing media careers, including pathways through internships, apprenticeships, and graduate placements. On successful completion, participants receive a certificate and an invite to the Media Literacy Programme Alumni Talent Pool, where emerging opportunities are shared.
Sophie’s acceptance comes as no surprise given her enthusiasm for journalism. “I’d like to be a journalist myself. I’m really interested in the different types of journalism, and I’m not completely sure on what type of journalist I want to be, but I feel like the programme will give me good insight into which type I would like to be, because I’m hearing from many journalists with different specialisms.”
The anticipation of engaging with professionals and like-minded peers shines through as she talks about the upcoming sessions. The programme includes virtual meetings with Telegraph journalists and writing assignments that offer Sophie, and others, a platform to showcase their journalistic flair.
“I have to attend four different sessions; so far I’ve heard from travel writing journalists, fashion journalists and more of the editing side of the social media part of journalism as well, which has been really interesting. I also get opportunities to do different pieces of short writing for the journalist to look at. It’s almost like a competition within the students that are taking part in the program.”
Reflecting on her selection and what it means for her future, she said: “It’s pretty cool to be given the opportunity to speak to and hear from Telegraph journalists about what it’s like to work at The Telegraph. I feel like I’ve been given a very lucky opportunity – it’s a really good bit of insight to what I could be doing in the future. And it’s a really good thing to have on my CV and personal statement to show that I’ve done something that will contribute towards my future career.”
Mr. Cotsford, Head of Futures at the Senior School, and his attention to connecting students with relevant career opportunities laid the groundwork for Sophie’s discovery of the programme.
“Mr. Cotsford sends out career related emails to one of the Google Classrooms, and I happen to look at this one. I saw a search for journalists, clicked on it and then thought, “I may as well give it a go!””
Victoria Liggett, Director of Sixth Form, echoes this sentiment while lauding Sophie’s proactive stance. She notes, “I’d like to applaud Sophie because we send out lots of opportunities. It’s really wonderful to hear that Sophie’s actually taken the initiative to apply to one of those, and it just shows what you can achieve if you do. It’s going to be an amazing opportunity, for her CV, but also to help her university application stand out when she comes to do that at the beginning of next academic year.”