Top 5 Diversity Internships And Graduate Schemes For 2022
Check out these dedicated entry-level roles for students from underrepresented groups.
It’s no secret that many sectors in the UK have a poor track record when it comes to hiring diversely. But fortunately, things are changing for the better. Organisations and companies are making a concentrated effort to welcome interns and graduates from diverse backgrounds and communities.
Now, you can apply for an internship or grad scheme specifically designed to bring underrepresented candidates into previously inaccessible workplaces. These schemes often run in parallel with traditional internships and graduate schemes, but are specifically reserved for diverse candidates.
A quick note
To kick off your search, we’ve collated some of the best internships and grad schemes that have been put together specifically for diverse candidates.
That said, you don’t have to apply for a specific diversity internship if a company doesn’t offer one. It’s worth looking at the full range of opportunities at a company or organisation -they may not have a specific diversity internship, but could still be welcoming diverse candidates in other ways.
Here’s our list by sector:
Journalism, publishing and media diversity internships
Channel 4 Production Training Scheme
This training scheme is one of multiple opportunities to get into TV offered by Channel 4. With a focus on unscripted TV (including factual, documentary and entertainment programs), this scheme is open to all applicants – but Channel 4 has specified that they particularly wants to hear from Deaf and/or disabled people, ethnically diverse people and those from lower socio-economic groups.
Criteria
Open to all entry level talent. Five spots are reserved exclusively for Deaf and/or disabled applicants.
HarperCollins – The Traineeship 2022
Publisher HarperCollins runs an annual Traineeship for Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups. The twelve-month scheme rotates through multiple key departments at HarperCollins, giving trainees the best possible overview of life in the publishing industry.
Criteria
Entry level applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. No degree necessary.
Charity and conservation diversity internships
Environment Agency Paid Summer Internship
The Environment Agency offers numerous opportunities for young people starting off in their careers – one of which is a paid summer internship for Black, Asian and minority ethnic students. The paid internship will offer an introduction to life at the EA via a hybrid style of work, and could run for up to three months.
Criteria
Open to final-year students or recent graduates (within 12 months) who are Black, Asian or minority ethnic.
Law, government and financial services diversity internships
Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme
Freshfields (a leading commercial law firm) has created this scheme in partnership with Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE. It offers a route into careers in the City for Black men from less socially-mobile backgrounds, with a 15-month development and mentoring programme and an intensive “project week”.
Criteria
Open to first-year undergraduates at UK universities who are Black or Black-mixed-race men.
Applications are closed right now but if you’d like to apply in future, find out more information here.
Civil Service Fast Stream: Summer Diversity Internship Programme
This 6 to 9-week summer internship is a perfect introduction to life in the Civil Service. Designed to prepare you for the Civil Service’s Fast Stream graduate scheme, the programme is packed with project-based work, shadowing, meetings and policy document creation.
Criteria
Open to second-and-third-year undergraduates who are one of the following:
- From a minority ethnic background.
- Socially or economically disadvantaged.
- Consider themselves to have a disability.
Internship networks and programs
There are also a range of organisations that will help to place you in an internship if you fulfil certain diversity criteria. Check them out:
- 10000 Black Interns is working to place Black African, Black Caribbean and/or Black British students in internships with a range of companies.
- Change 100 internships run by Leonard Cheshire. Connects students and recent graduates with a disability or long-term condition with summer work placements, professional development and mentoring.
- Rare recruitment partner with firms in the law and consulting fields to place Black and minority ethnic students into entry-level roles.
- SEO London Careers run a range of programmes with companies in different industries. For example, their City Solicitors Horizons programme supports first year undergraduates from low socioeconomic backgrounds. And it’s not just for students in London!
Looking for more?
Check out our list of professional networks for underrepresented communities – or visit one of these diverse jobs boards to find live opportunities.
