How Work Experience at Cosmic Helps Young People Thrive
At Cosmic, we’re more than a digital agency, we’re a social enterprise with a heart for community and a mission to build futures. One way we do this? By offering real, hands-on work experience in digital careers to local school students.
Opening Doors Through Opportunity
Every year, we welcome young people into our team, not to shadow from the sidelines, but to jump in and try things. From web design to AI, from cybersecurity to creative content, our work experience programme is designed to be broad, practical, and confidence-building.
This July, four students — Felix, Kieron, Stanley, and Bertie — joined us for a week of learning, exploring, and celebrating. They didn’t just watch. They created, coded, built, presented, and played a real part in Cosmic life.
A Week in the Life: What They Did
Web & Design: Felix and Kieron built a mock homepage for a dental company, designing first in Canva, then bringing it to life in Wix.
“Working on the Plymouth Dental Care project in Wix was a lot of fun. I learned how important it is to keep everything clear and organised so it looks tidy when presented. I also discovered how powerful AI can be when used with detailed prompts, and I broadened my knowledge on the top AI tools of 2025.” – Kieron
“I designed a dental company homepage in Canva, then built it in Wix, matching my design as closely as possible. Later in the week, I added a graphics card to an old PC, installed Linux, and even did some Bash coding before learning how to use AI responsibly.” – Felix
Tech & Cybersecurity: Stanley and Bertie installed graphics cards, practised Bash coding, explored TryHackMe, and understood ethical hacking.
Over my work experience with Cosmic, I explored a range of exciting digital skills. Learning in depth about cybersecurity and putting it into practice on training sites like TryHackMe was a real highlight. I would happily recommend this work experience to anyone with an interest in IT and design.” – Stanley
“I learnt the differences between ethical and non-ethical hackers and what a virtual machine is. I also learnt how to specifically engineer a prompt in ChatGPT for a set purpose. I’m extremely appreciative of Cosmic for making this an unforgettable experience.” – Bertie
AI & Innovation: All four students explored AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot, creating a presentation on the best AI tools for 2025 and learning how to use these tools ethically.
Real-World Skills: From prompt engineering to team collaboration, they left with more than just technical know-how – they gained insight into the world of work.
Why It Matters to Us
We believe everyone should have access to digital skills and meaningful career opportunities, especially young people in rural or underserved areas. By giving them a wide range of experiences, we help them uncover passions, build confidence, and realise their potential.
Cosmic’s approach is about empowerment, not pressure. We don’t expect them to have it all figured out – we give them the tools, support, and space to explore what’s possible.
As a social enterprise, everything we do is rooted in community impact. Work experience is just one way we live our values of inclusion, innovation, and empowerment. Over the years, we’ve also offered apprenticeships, internships, and mentoring.
International Youth Day is the perfect time to celebrate the role young people play in shaping the digital future. Our programmes show them what’s possible in a changing job market – one where entry-level jobs are disappearing fast.
We’re proud to have helped these students explore what a career in digital could look like. We’re just as proud to have learned from them too. Their questions, ideas, and energy remind us why this work matters.
Want to see how Cosmic creates impact beyond the classroom? Explore our digital training programmes and see how we help people of all ages thrive.
Are you a business looking to inspire young talent? Start small, why not offer work experience to a local school? You won’t just shape their future. You’ll grow your own.
