Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship returns to boost diversity and inclusion in 2023

The trailblazing Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship is returning in 2023 to offer access, inclusion and career assistance to a university student from an underrepresented background or minority group.

Now in its third year, the annual scholarship is spearheaded by Rumbletown, Queensland’s leading independent agency group, in partnership with QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Business School.

The selected QUT student will receive a $12,000 scholarship, and complete a 16-week internship across Rumbletown’s five agencies: Rumble Creative (advertising and creative), Aruga (public relations and marcomms), Romeo (creative digital and innovation), Scout (media planning and buying) and Edison (SME brand consultants).

2022 Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship recipient Natalia Canas said she was indebted to the trust, opportunities and knowledge the internship provided: “My internship gave me the focus I need to determine the direction I would like my career journey to take.

“I learned critical thinking skills while studying a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at QUT but it was stepping into the real world where I learned my true strengths and passions.”

Aruga co-founder Donna Kramer said the scholarship was developed to help students from underrepresented communities find a pathway into an industry not known for its diversity: “We launched the Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship in 2021 to improve diversity within our own agencies while also addressing a clear and continued lack of diversity across the marketing communications industry nationally.”

Inaugural recipient, Takura Matenga applied the skills she learnt during her placement as a marketing coordinator for a Sydney start-up and now a social media coordinator for a Brisbane-based sportwear brand.

Says Matenga: “This scholarship truly is an opportunity of a lifetime and was one of the highlights of my time at uni. When I finished, I walked away with SO MUCH confidence in my abilities, connections and great memories.

“The people at Rumbletown have been so helpful years after I finished up my ineinternship with them and I can’t thank them enough for all their ongoing support.”

The scholarship is open to students who identify as BIPOC; individuals or children of migrants or refugees; individuals from a non-English speaking background; mature-aged students; first in family at university; and individuals from an economically challenged background.

QUT undergraduate or postgraduate students majoring in advertising, creative industries, integrated marketing communication, marketing, media and communication, or public relations are eligible to apply for the opportunity.

The 16-week internship begins in June 2023 with the selected scholarship recipient located in Rumbletown agencies four days each week, to apply and develop their knowledge and skills.

James Burchill, co-founder of Rumble with Remy Brassac and Nancy Hartley, said the success of the scholarship program lay in its shared benefits and outcomes: “Diversity breeds creativity and we know we have infinitely more impact when we seek out fresh ideas and new perspectives.

“This scholarship gives a university student unrivalled access, experience and mentorship across our group of agencies and it gives us the chance to make a genuine, tangible difference in our industry.”

QUT Business School associate director – work-integrated learning Ingrid Larkin said the scholarship’s success can be attributed to the strong established partnership between the university and Rumbletown: “The Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship provides students with real-world experience and invaluable access to their chosen industry.

“Partnering with Rumbletown on this diversity and inclusion scholarship again in 2023 further cements QUT’s reputation as a university for the real world.”

Applications open Monday 20 March and close Sunday 23 April. Shortlisted applicants will be notified from Monday 1 May and the 16-week internship begins in June 2023.

For information and to apply, visit rumbletownpathways.com.au