A former journalism student is hoping to make dream comes true for the next generation of multimedia professionals.

Claire McAllister is joining the National Council for the Training of Journalists next month to help steer a programme which assists students from socially and ethnically diverse backgrounds achieve their career goals.

She will be responsible for administering the Journalism Diversity Fund and promoting the benefits of the scheme to potential recipients and sponsors.

The journalism intern (diversity) role is designed to help students to fund their NCTJ training. The fund is administered by the NCTJ on behalf of industry sponsors and supporters, including Associated Newspapers, Pearson, Sky, The Scott Trust, and the Society of Editors.

Said Claire: “I’m really excited to join the NCTJ team and promote the bursary to help aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds pursue their career.”

She recently completed an NCTJ-accredited Masters in multimedia journalism at Glasgow Caledonian University and was also a member of the NCTJ student council.

Over the past year, Claire has gained a wide range of work experience as a reporter at various local newspapers, press agencies and radio stations including The Herald, the Press Association Scotland and Central FM.