What started as a one month UNLOCKED internship at The Leith Agency somehow snowballed - one month turned into three, then six, and now here I am: a full-time account executive. Did I plan this? Not exactly. Did I hope for it? Absolutely.

When I reflect on my internship with Brand Scotland as part of the UNLOCKED programme, it’s impossible not to feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and accomplishment. These 13 weeks were not just a professional milestone but a personal transformation - an experience I will cherish forever and one that has undeniably set the stage for my future career.

After numerous job rejections (we have all been there), I finally received the email that I had been selected as the UNLOCKED intern for Whyte & Mackay - a company that caught my attention not just for its reputation, but for being a prominent part / symbol of Scotland, a country that has become my second home.

This summer I joined the team at Muckle Media for a 4-week internship through the UNLOCKED programme created by the John Doe Group.

Now in the second year of John Doe’s UNLOCKED internship scheme, the list of partners involved is even longer. Managing to secure an interview with Studio LR (my first pick!) felt incredible, so when I’d received the news that I’d secured an internship with them, my initial fears turned into a lot of excitement and a little bit of nerves. I was ready to get stuck in.

Since graduating from university, I’ve found it really challenging to find entry level roles in the creative industries in Scotland so when I came across the UNLOCKED internship programme I was delighted to find a paid opportunity in Glasgow.

UNLOCKED knocked on my door at the right time. It felt like the perfect chance for a recent graduate like me to enhance my skills and explore the industry. 

I had just finished my 3rd year at Glasgow Caledonian University studying Digital Design and was looking forward to the summer holidays. But I also knew I wanted to stay busy designing and expanding my skill set. I found out about the UNLOCKED programme through the socials of one of the partners of the internship.

I saw an Instagram post on Voom’s page about an opportunity of taking part in a six-week UNLOCKED internship. An opportunity with one of the most exciting creative agencies in Glasgow, what was not to love.

This past April, I had freshly finished up my final University exams when I came across the UNLOCKED internship programme in my inbox. I remember reading through all of the descriptions and being filled with motivation and anticipation for the future. Knowing I wanted to look for opportunities within the agency side of marketing, the UNLOCKED programme was perfect.

My experience as an UNLOCKED intern at Lux Events was both challenging and incredibly rewarding, providing a comprehensive insight into the fast-paced world of event management.

Here are some of the interesting insights, which I learned as an UNLOCKED intern at MadeBrave!

Spending six weeks as an UNLOCKED creative intern focussing on copywriting at Leith was an amazing experience.

This all seems a bit dramatic, but I truly believe that the TikTok algorithm changed my life. Thanks to this one post that sprouted up on my FYP, I learnt about the UNLOCKED internship programme and one of the companies taking part, Story Shop. 

As a creative UNLOCKED intern at Atomic10, I was given the opportunity to immerse myself in a variety of tasks that not only honed my existing skills but also exposed me to new areas of expertise.

Initially, I was apprehensive about diving into the typical 9-5 work life. The thought of being constantly immersed in a fast-paced environment with various deadlines and responsibilities was daunting. However, my fears were quickly alleviated by the welcoming atmosphere and the supportive culture that embraced me from day one as an UNLOCKED intern at Leith Agency.

I remember scrolling through LinkedIn back in April, feverishly looking for something to catch my attention. I was still completing my master’s degree at the time, so I couldn’t pay any mind to the full-time job postings. That’s when I found the absolute firecracker of an experience - the UNLOCKED Internship Programme.

I have reached the end of my UNLOCKED internship at Story, and what an experience it has proved to be!

As I neared the end of my university degree, having gained some marketing experience through various projects and coursework, I was eager to learn more. I then discovered the UNLOCKED Internship Programme.

Elroy Elvie, a final year International Marketing mature student reflects on his time as a year one UNLOCKED intern.