Our second Rumbletown Scholarship recipient charts a bold new path

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, we bid adieu to Rumbletown’s second Pathways Scholarship recipient: the effervescent Natalia Canas.

Natalia was part of the Aruga family for four weeks in August and September.

She joined us as part of her 16-week paid work experience placement with Rumbletown agencies  – Rumble Strategic Creative (Advertising and Creative), Aruga (PR and Social Media), Romeo (Creative and Digital) and Scout (Media Planning and Buying).

The QUT Bachelor of Business final year marketing student said she enjoyed the opportunity to expand her marketing and communication skills, meet clients and see the creative process from start to finish.

“I had the privilege to be an Aruga intern for the month of September, and I loved it. I was able to apply for an internship at Aruga through the QUT Pathways program through the ‘diverse’ criteria because I was born in Mexico.

On her introduction to Aruga, Natalia “was nervous” about walking into the office on the first day, but says “I didn’t need to worry because I was warmly welcomed. I was introduced to the team by co-founder Donna Kramer, who made me feel comfortable in a new space. Walking into an office as a university student is daunting enough, but because English is not my first language, it added another layer to the nerves I was feeling.

Natalia says, “Learning on the job at Aruga has really helped cement my understanding of the true value of internships. I have learned critical thinking skills while studying a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at QUT, but it was stepping into the real world where I learned the areas I need to work harder in.

“The entire Aruga team radiated a hard-working vibe and a positive atmosphere, and I instantly felt not only welcomed but supported. It was encouraging for me to see so many focused and driven people in the same room and to see how well the team works together.

“This opportunity has led me in the right direction to develop myself improve the way I approach things in life. I am extremely grateful for the trust, opportunities and knowledge the Aruga team has provided me. Working with Aruga has truly been one of the most insightful experiences of my life.”

Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and mature-age QUT students are eligible to apply for Rumbletown’s $12,000 Pathways Scholarship program every year.

The selected student gains real-world experience by working in various creative agencies and is mentored in advertising, digital and media and communications.

Queensland’s leading independent media agency group Rumbletown launched the pioneering diversity and inclusion scholarship in partnership with Queensland University of Technology’s Business School in 2021.

Applications for the next scholarship intake open in 2023.

Learn more about our Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship Program, a trailblazing initiative to open doors for diversity and inclusion within the advertising, digital, media and communications industries in Australia.