A Q&A with NCTJ ambassador Dani Desouza

The NCTJ is expanding its ambassadors’ group and is looking for NCTJ-qualified journalists from all sectors and backgrounds to join the initiative. We spoke to Dani Desouza to answer your questions about what being an NCTJ ambassador is like.

If you’re interested in signing up, find out more here.

Q- Why did you become an NCTJ ambassador?

A- I have always deeply cared about encouraging and supporting budding young journalists, as without them, how can our industry survive, and how can we continue to thrive in the profession?

I felt getting the NCTJ qualification opened so many doors for me and made me feel capable as a reporter but may not be something others are aware of, so wanted to work with the fantastic NCTJ team to bring to light the qualification and speak candidly about my path into the media, as a working class woman of colour. I felt it was important to show there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to being a journalist.

I am also eternally thankful to the people who served as mentors to me, so instantly knew I wanted to repay their kindness by supporting the next generation once I felt I was confident enough to do it, as I believe the goodness you put out into the world will always find a way of coming back to you!

Q- What has being an ambassador looked like?

A- It has been multi-faceted, and I am sure each ambassador will give a different answer to the question.

For me, it has included hosting people for work experience, speaking at schools, writing blogs for the NCTJ, documenting what I do in my job as a senior social media journalist at PA, and simply offering to give advice either in person over a coffee or via Zoom.

Q- What’s been your favourite part of being an ambassador?

A- I have loved being able to offer work experience to young people interested in the profession at PA Media, the national news agency for the UK and Ireland – my employer. A man running the London Marathon while wearing a shrimp costume to try and break a Guinness World Record, and a Vinted seller dressing her teddy bear with her unwanted clothes to try and make a few extra pounds on the platform are just some of the stories people have tackled while working with me this year.

It brings me so much joy seeing people smile when they conduct interviews and gradually get more confident as the conversation goes on, and then see their stories published in outlets across the country. When they tell me they believe a career as a journalist feels more accessible than it did before, it make me feel like I have been successful as an ambassador.

Interested in joining the ambassadors’ group?

The NCTJ is encouraging journalists from all backgrounds and specialties to consider joining this important initiative by applying here by Tuesday, 20 April.