We are launching The State of the Junior, a national survey capturing the lived experiences of junior creatives across the UK. Under the 2025 theme Through Our Lens, the initiative explores pay, access, progression and more, turning personal stories into data that can drive long-overdue change in the creative industry.
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The creative industry talks a lot about investing in the next generation. But behind the shiny statements and LinkedIn buzzwords, many junior creatives are navigating a very different reality: low pay, unpaid ‘opportunities’, unclear progression, and barriers that seem to get bigger the further you try to climb.
That’s why The Junior has launched The State of the Junior, a national survey capturing the real, lived experiences of junior creatives across the UK. This year’s theme is 'Through Our Lens', spotlighting what the industry looks like from the perspective of the people actually starting out in it.
The survey asks about everything from salaries and hiring experiences to career growth, regional access and freelancing. The aim is to build a clear, honest picture of what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change, backed by data, not guesswork
The State of the Junior is a chance to turn stories into insight, and insight into action. The findings will be used to create a public report that will be shared with agencies, recruiters, educators, and industry decision-makers, so those in power are no longer relying on assumptions about junior talent, but listening to the people living it.
The State of the Junior survey is now open and will run until 24 June 2025. If you’re a junior creative in the UK, whether you’re freelance or full-time, working in-house or at an agency, your voice matters. Your experience counts. And we want to hear from you.
And if you’re not a junior yourself, pass it on. Share it in your group chats, networks, and newsletters. This is a collective effort to build a better, fairer industry—one that works with junior talent, not without it.
