I’M Farah, I am 24 and I was born and raised in Manningham, Bradford.

Right now, I’m working with Bradford 2025 as a Content Creative Trainee as part of Channel 4 Content Creatives.

The initiative was designed to help young people into creative careers, in collaboration with Bradford 2025.

While no two days are the same here, a typical workday includes producing and organising digital content, writing copy, scheduling posts, and generally keeping an eye on the Bradford 2025 social accounts.

My career journey began after I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2021 and I struggled to find a profession that I really wanted to pursue.

I spent two years hopping between customer service roles and a few months au-pairing in Spain.

I returned to Bradford feeling apprehensive as I felt that there were no serious opportunities for me here and I was worried about my career path.

Last year, however, Bradford was crowned UK City of Culture 2025 and I happened to walk through Centenary Square during the announcement. It was nice to see my home city getting its moment, but I didn’t consider that it would mean anything for me. How wrong I was!

In Summer 2023, I came across an Instagram AD that promoted the programme.

I applied and was offered a position in the Autumn cohort of the programme and was matched with Bradford 2025 for my placement.

An invitation to meet my future co-workers at the office quickly led to an invitation to represent Bradford at 10 Downing Street for an event with the Government Art Collection.

It was incredible to be given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so early on in my creative career. Not many people can say that their first networking event took place in the garden at 10 Downing Street!

Within the first week of my placement, I was putting my new creative digital skills into practice by producing content for Bradford 2025’s social media accounts.

I get to be on the ground a lot, capturing footage from creative events and trips to all sorts of place.

It’s exciting and I have learned so much about marketing and content creation from my colleagues in the Communications Team.

Bradford 2025 has equipped me with the unique skills and practical work experience that has changed the trajectory of my career.

I am coming towards the end of my placement now, and I feel more confident and positive about my future employability. As well as my professional life, my personal life has improved so much in this short time. I can say that I’m more sociable, resilient, and optimistic.

The good news is that there are more opportunities for people like me; my experience and role within the organisation reflects how Bradford 2025 endeavours to embed young people into the UK City of Culture year.

Recently, three great opportunities for young people were announced. The Youth Panel - the first members have just been revealed, a traineeship called the Young Creatives and recruitment for Paid apprenticeships available across Bradford 2025 departments.

The UK City of Culture is an exciting time for Bradford, and for the young people that live here!