Journalism students have been paired with industry mentors in a bid to help them in a jobs market made “more competitive” by the coronavirus crisis.

Nearly 60 students on journalism courses at the University of Gloucestershire have been guaranteed a mentor for the whole of their final year.

Students on the university’s BA journalism, BA sports journalism, and BA Magazine Journalism & Production courses have been offered the help of a professional, working in a field of the industry that interests the student.

The mentors include journalists working for national news titles, major broadcasters and in media communications roles.

Journalism student Meg Price has been teamed up with Steve Turner, who graduated in 2013 and is now a project manager with scientific publisher Elsevier.

Meg, pictured, said: “Speaking with my mentor Steve has allowed me to talk through some of my worries about getting writing experience and dealing with job rejections.

“Being able to get tips from someone who has already experienced it, has put my mind at ease about graduating and deciding on a career path.”

Steve got involved in the scheme after being contacted by senior journalism lecturer Erika Barnes

He said: “Knowing how hard it was, and the sheer number of applications I sent for jobs, I wanted to help future students and provide them with any support they needed, whether that be job prep, experience prep or even advice on where to take their career.

“I took the communications and marketing route but have applied a lot of transferable skills from my degree in journalism.

“It’s an excellent initiative from the University of Gloucestershire, so you feel more at one with a working professional and gain valuable insights into what life is really like in the world of media and journalism.”

BA Journalism course leader Paul Wiltshire added: “We’re determined to move mountains to ensure our graduates are at the front of the queue when jobs and freelance opportunities are up for grabs – and the new mentoring scheme is a big part of that.

“It’s a real privilege to help create the journalists of the future.

“And it’s also a joy to be able to say to students coming onto our course that they will never be just a number with us. We will know them and care about them.”