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.

Being dyslexic, I initially had a lot of self-doubt. I questioned whether I should hide it or embrace it. From day one, my team’s unwavering support made all the difference, and I soon realised that being dyslexic played to my strengths in client services. My ability to come up with solutions (something I’ve done all my life) proved invaluable in this role. Client services is a job where there are problems to solve every single day. No two days are the same, and no campaign is straightforward. But somehow, I found that I loved the chaos.

During my internship, I gained invaluable insights into the industry. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, surrounded me with brilliant people, and gave me the chance to build confidence in ways I didn’t think possible. I walked in thinking, “I just need experience; jobs want experience!” and I later walked out with a job.

My biggest piece of advice for anyone thinking of applying? Advocate for yourself. If you’re interested in something or want to try your hand at a particular task, say so. You’re there to learn, and they’re there to help you do just that. I had the opportunity to work on activations and social content - worlds away from what I expected but incredibly rewarding, nonetheless.

Over the course of my internship, I worked on some of Scotland’s most iconic brands and learned so much. One minute I was freezing on a beach for a shoot, the next I was at Leeds football stadium, and before I knew it, I was part of a new business pitch - which we won!

It’s not all work at The Leith Agency - we know how to have fun too. Weekly softball games at Leith Links, a sports day (yes, I was on the winning team), and drink trolley Thursdays are just some of the ways we unwind and connect as a team. These moments have been a great way to strike a balance between the 9-to-5:30pm schedule and building strong relationships with the people I work with.

One of the standout opportunities during my time on the UNLOCKED programme was getting to attend some incredible events. I was lucky enough to go to the wrap party, which was a great way to celebrate the hard work and meet the other UNLOCKED interns. I also attended the Marketing Society’s St. Andrew’s Day Dinner, where I had the chance to meet and connect with others in the industry. These experiences gave me a glimpse of the wider marketing and advertising community and reinforced just how exciting and dynamic this world can be.

I was also fortunate to share the UNLOCKED experience with four other interns. Together, we supported one another, learned together, and shared the many highs and occasional challenges. Having that shared experience made it even more memorable.

UNLOCKED Leith Interns: Stephanie & Alyssa

I’m beyond grateful to the UNLOCKED team and everyone at The Leith Agency for being so supportive, welcoming, and occasionally patient while I asked approximately 57,000 questions.

Now, as a full-time account executive, I’m looking forward to welcoming the next cohort of interns to the Leith team and helping them kickstart their own journeys.

How a One Month Internship Turned Into My Dream Job | Stephanie, Leith Intern

My Transformational Journey with Brand Scotland | Sandy, Brand Scotland (Scottish Government) Intern