Our first Sookio Bootcamp was such a success we’re coming back for more! Join our week of remote work experience and pick up valuable experience that will kickstart your marketing career.

Our founder Sue Keogh explains the benefits of Bootcamp – and how you can apply to take part.

It all started in August 2020, when in a fit of irritation sparked by the A Level results fiasco and my general gloom about opportunities being snatched away from young people as a result of the pandemic, I decided to do something. Just a little something in our tiny corner of the world that would make a positive difference.

So in the course of seven days we set up Sookio Bootcamp, a week of remote work experience that took more than 20 people behind the scenes at a marketing agency and gave them valuable skills and knowledge that would boost their careers.

We ran the whole thing over Zoom, which meant we could invite so many more people than the traditional work experience setup.

I even commented at the time how the format worked so well that if we ran it again we’d still do it over Zoom…even though the pandemic would be long gone by then. Hmmmm, got that wrong, didn’t I!

So as well as increasing people’s knowledge of the industry, the lingo and the different career paths out there, a core goal was to give everyone something tangible for their portfolio. Out of the week came blog posts, creative promos, and this ident (right), which I never tire of looking at!

We were totally buzzing by the end of it and we’re so proud to say that a year on, the people who attended are now in roles including Community Manager at a retail brand, Product Operations Manager at an virtual events platform, Comms Executive at a media agency and Digital Marketing Executive at a recruitment agency.

One attendee said, “I’m so glad to hear you are running the bootcamp again. I bet the next Bootcampers will love it and gain so many skills just like we did.

“I am now working as an Ecommerce Assistant at Hotel Chocolat, now in my ninth month of working there - crazy! The skills I learned at the Sookio Bootcamp really did help me get this current role. So thank you so much to you and the team for helping with that!”

When is Sookio Bootcamp taking place?

Monday 16 to Friday 20 August 2021. 9am start each day. Don’t be late.

It will all take place over Zoom - but with plenty of breaks.

What’s the format?

We’re going to stick to a similar formula to last year which proved so popular:

• Daily spotlights on team members (like Marisa, below). Get to learn about the different roles in a marketing agency as you plan your career

• Daily creative challenges, across video, copywriting, strategy and sales

• Read-watch-listen list for inspiration and mental stimulation

• Friday: careers day. With career tips, LinkedIn training and team Q&A

How will you benefit?

• Go behind the scenes in a marketing agency. We’ll shine a light on the different roles, the jargon, and what we actually do from day to day

• Meet people at different stages in our careers and discover the skills you need and the different routes we’ve all taken to get into the industry

• Take on creative challenges that will give you something tangible to add to your portfolio

• Get some brilliant work experience to add to your CV, increasing employability afterwards

What’s the criteria to attend?

We know from having run hundreds of workshops, webinars and training sessions over the years that the best way to do it is to group people together who are at a similar level.

Then you don’t have experts feeling frustrated, or juniors feeling they don’t want to ask any questions for fear of looking stupid.

So, to join Sookio Bootcamp you must be:

• Graduate level, either still studying or just finished…

• …with a strong interest in marketing, digital, creative

• Available for the full week of 16 to 20 August

BAME folk are very welcome or anyone who sees themselves in an under-represented group.

How do you apply?

Just fill in our online application form.

Places are limited to 30, and you must apply by 25 July.

We’ll notify all successful applicants by 31 July.

If we get inundated with applications we will prioritise people who we feel will get the most benefit, as well as those living in Cambridgeshire so that we are boosting skills and creating opportunities for people our local area.

Good luck!

What they said about Sookio Bootcamp 2020

I can't tell you how invaluable it’s been to have this experience. I've been able to refer to pieces of work I completed for these tasks numerous times in job interviews and I truly believe I would not have been able to be obtain my current marketing related role without completing Sookio Bootcamp!

The thing that made it special was the fact you didn't need any previous experience or specific qualifications to do the placement; that it was meant as a 'bootcamp' where you could get a crash course in marketing essentials, with content to show by the end of it.

I was worried about the placement being remote, but because of the structure, task-based nature and it only being a week long, there was no danger of Zoom fatigue and I felt engaged and raring to go!

A huge heartfelt thank you to Sue and the entire team! What you are doing is so important, needed and valuable!

Gianina Messina