Where are they now?
Class of 2011/2012 Prior to studying for her NCTJ qualification, Shabana graduated from Kingston University with a first class honours degree in Journalism and Media and Cultural Studies.
She has completed work experience at the Richmond and Twickenham Times, Wanderlust and has contributed features to the Asian lifestyle magazine Kismet.
Shabana is currently working as parenting and travel editor for online magazine Female First.
Course: MA Magazine Journalism
Centre: University of Central Lancashire Vicky’s passion for journalism was ignited having attended the Catch 22 academy. The social enterprise equipped her with the basic principles of journalism and she began freelancing for a variety of publications.
Vicky has undertaken work experience at the Daily Mirror and the Surrey Herald.
She is currently looking for work as a junior reporter with an online or print publication.
Course: Multimedia Diploma
Centre: Press Association, London
Toby has completed a multimedia diploma in journalism at News Associates, London, after graduating from Southampton University with a 2:1 in History.
During his studies, he secured work experience at The Guardian and BBC London.
Toby is currently working as a parliamentary researcher for Diane Abbott MP.
Course: Multimedia Diploma in Journalism
Centre: News Associates London
While studying for her NCTJ qualification, Rebecca completed work experience at The Argus and the Chichester Observer. Rebecca’s feature, Fab at 50, was published in the Daily Mirror earlier this year.
She also set up her own blog: aspiringcosmogirl.wordpress.com.
Rebecca is now working as a junior reporter at the Chichester Observer.
Course: fast-track Diploma in Journalism
Centre: Highbury College
Before applying for the NCTJ course at News Associated London, Charlene completed a degree in Media and Communication at Birmingham University.
She has previously written for a variety of publications including The Vine, Adflyer, Aston Villa Fans Online, Itchy Birmingham and Flying Solo.
While studying for her NCTJ qualification, Charlene completed work experience at the South West Londoner.
Course: fast-track Diploma in Journalism
Centre: News Associates London
Selina graduated froj Sheffield Hallam University in 2004 and has since attended the Catch 22 academy and undertaken work placements at Zest magazine, Think Publishing and the Telegraph and Argus.
While studying for the NCTJ diploma in journalism, she also completed work experience at the South West Londonder.
Selina is currently looking for work within the media industry.
Course: Fast-track Diploma in Journalism
Centre: News Associates, London
Originally from the island of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Natricia free-lanced for Caribbean newspapers The Searchlight and the Trinidad & Tobago Mirror.
While working towards her NCTJ qualification, Natricia completed work experience with Clover Films and participated in the Journalism Diversity Fund mentorship programme.
Natricia is currently applying for jobs in the newspaper industry.
Course: MA Journalism
Centre: Brunel University Kirsten has aspired to be a print journalist since the age of 14 when she had her first poem published in a young adult’s poem anthology.
She has completed a variety of publications including the Belfast Waterfront Hall, The Belfast Newsletter and The Coleraine Chronicle.
Kirsten now works as a freelance journalist for her local papers, while working part-time on Downtown Radio in Northern Ireland.
Course: Diploma in Newspaper Journalism
Centre: Belfast Metropolitan College Olivia has achieved a first class honours degree in Journalism and Media and Cultural Studies at Kingston University, Attended the Catch 22 academy, and has undertaken work placements at Pride, First Light and Radio Jackie.
She is currently completing her MA Journalism at Brunel University while freelancing as a copywriter. She has also secured a paid internship at online B2B financial magazine, DerivSource.
Olivia will move on to an editorial internship with Hearst Magazines in October.
Course: MA Journalism
Centre: Brunel University
Helena graduated from Warwick University in 2011 with a 2:1 in English Literature.
Having dreamed of becoming a journalist since she was six years old, she has carried out work experience at her local newspaper The Northern Echo and the national Catholic newspaper The Tablet.
Helena is currently working as a reporter at News Associates London and South West Londoner.
Course: fast-track Diploma in Journalism
Centre: News Associates, London
Leonora has aspired to be a journalist since the age of 10. The 22-year-old has written for the Manchester Evening News, undertaken a placement at The Big Issue and writes for her own blog lollipopsbreakingnews.wordpress.com.
After completing her NCTJ multimedia diploma in journalism, Leonora is currently applying for jobs in the media industry.
Course: Mulitmedia Diploma in Journalism
Centre: News Associates, Manchester
Since 2010, Jake has secured work experience at various publications including The Bath Chronicle, The Herald, Buzz and Swansea Life Magazine.
He has his own music blog, Basement Fever, and also has experience as a press agent for Faux Discx.
Jake is currently freelancing for music magazine DIY while applying for permanent positions within the industry.
Course: MA Journalism
Centre: Kingston University
Natasha completed her MA Journalism at the University of Ulster in September 2012.
She has worked at Q Radio Network and does voice work for NewBlue Media amd Radioactive Media. She also voluteers for the local blind centre within their Talking News department.
Natasha is currently working as a trainee cross- platform journalist at UTV, ITN’s regional news channel in Northern Ireland.
Course: MA Journalism
Centre: University of Ulster
Qualifying as a teacher in 1997, Jane taught in London before having three children with disabilities. Since having children she has free-lanced for newspapers and magazines and writes regularly for political blog The Groucho Tendency and diversity website The TV Collective.
Working actively in local government, she is helping to found a charity to support parents and carers of disabled children and is directly involved in campaigning for disability rights.
Jane has just started the second year of her part-time MA in Journalism.
Course: Newspaper Journalism (part-time)
Centre: Nottingham Trent University
Before applying for a Journalism Diversity Fund bursary, Jamie did sub-editing for transfertavem.com and gained work experience at the North Wales Daily Post and Stockport County F.C.
While studying for a multimedia diploma in journalism at News Associates Manchester, Jamie completed a weekly placement at The Daily Post and submitted stories to The TV Collective.
Jamie currently works as a trainee reporter for NMN Media in north Wales.
Course: Multimedia Diploma in Journalism
Centre: News Associates, Manchester
Lucy has worked as an editorial assistant at ncjMedia in Newcastle. During her time there she sourced numerous leads for the three regional titles, including a front page story, and ran her own political blog during the General Election.
After completing her multimedia journalism foundation course at Press Association, she began work as a trainee reporter for The Sentinel newspaper in Stoke-on-Trent, covering North Staffordshire and East Cheshire.
She is also currently working towards her NCE qualification.
Course: Multimedia Journalism Foundation Course
Centre: Press Association, Newcastle
Ruth is studying the fast-track Newspaper Journalism course at Lambeth College and dreams of writing for a publication that will allow her to write about social issues.
Having attended the Catch 22 academy in 2010, she has since completed an internship at The Economist and written for charity youth magazines The Who Cares? Trust and Recognise Magazine.
Ruth is currently contributing to the Hackney Citizen while completing her NCTJ exams.
Course: fast-track Diploma in Journalism
Centre: Lambeth College
Andrew discovered he wanted to be a journalist when he joined his secondary school's reporters' group and visited Aberdeen Journals.
Andrew went to The Robert Gordon University and completed a BA in Publishing with Journalism. During this time he got his first article published with the local family history society, along with several other articles.
Andrew will be on work experience at the Aberdeen Voice while he completes his NCTJ exams.
Course: fast-track Magazine Journalism
Centre: Up to Speed Journalism Training