FT Schools offers free FT.com access to school students aged 16-19 and their teachers around the world, helping young people develop a deeper, more critical understanding of global news.
At the heart of the programme is the Student Advocate Programme, which supports students championing news literacy in their schools through monthly tasks, from content creation to organising events inspired by FT content.
In the 2024/25 cycle, 335 student advocates across 43 countries produced over 190 original content pieces, organised 160+ events, and gathered 6,000+ insights, helping the FT better understand and engage with younger readers.
Advocates are supported by university mentors from the US, UK and Hong Kong. In this Life at FT blog we speak to two current mentors: Zoelle Soh, a University of St Andrews student and former FT advocate and Jenna Zaza, a third-year student at Stony Brook University, about their experiences.
What drew you to the FT Schools programme?
Jenna: As an aspiring business journalist and longtime FT reader, this opportunity stood out. I’ve taught journalism to high school students in New York, and I loved seeing their curiosity grow. FT Schools felt like a way to continue that on a global scale.
Zoelle: I was a student advocate two years ago and knew I wanted to return as a mentor. It’s been one of the most meaningful parts of my academic journey, the people, the mission, and the impact make it an opportunity I’ll always say yes to.
What does your role as a mentor involve?
Jenna: I host monthly calls with advocates, guide them through tasks, review their submissions, and keep them motivated. Beyond logistics, I focus on building a community, sparking conversations, answering questions, and celebrating their progress.
What have you gained from the experience?
Jenna: This internship has helped me build valuable relationships, with both students and FT professionals. I’ve gained a clearer view of journalism’s power to connect and empower. It’s reinforced my passion for creating inclusive spaces and deepened my understanding of audience engagement.
Zoelle: Balancing this role alongside university life taught me the value of consistency. Progress doesn’t require perfection, just steady effort. That’s a lesson I’ll carry forward.
How has this internship and experience shaped your future ambitions?
Jenna: I want to become a business journalist who makes financial news accessible and relevant. It’s opened my eyes to audience engagement journalism as a potential career path while reinforcing my commitment to intersectional reporting and telling stories that highlight real community impacts by speaking directly to those affected. This experience has sharpened my leadership and communication skills and shown me how impactful journalism can be when it connects directly with communities.
What were your favourite advocate submissions and why?
Both: Two standout submissions from this year’s FT Student Advocates really caught our attention for their creativity and clarity. George Crosthwaite created a brilliant podcast diving into the world of meme coins and crypto. In just 20 minutes, he tackled big questions around regulation, volatility, and whether crypto should really be called a currency, all in a way that was super engaging and easy to follow, even if you're new to the topic. Also, Rati Kapur, built a blog-style website called “What in the FT?” where she shared short, snappy summaries of FT articles. The design was sleek, the content was just the right length, and it left you wanting to click through and read more. Both George and Rati found smart, accessible ways to bring FT journalism to life, and that’s what the advocate programme is all about.
What advice would you give future mentors and advocates?
Zoelle: Mentors should celebrate students who go above and beyond, it makes a huge difference. And for advocates: embrace every moment. There’s so much to learn from this experience, and it’s a rare opportunity at your stage of education.
Interested in learning more or getting involved with FT Schools? Visit ft.com/schools to explore resources, register for access, or email student.advocate@ft.com for more information on how to apply to join our global network of student advocates in 2025
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