The conversation around unpaid internships is a murky one – and it’s not just the media that’s got a problem with them. Almost three-quarters of Britons want to see them banned – as well as other exclusive workplace practices – in order to democratise career opportunities.

Faced with a highly competitive labor market, college students in the US are seeking any opportunity that can give them an edge after graduation. Internships provide a key way to gain work experience, but how has creative agency Mother ensured that its program stands out for this ambitious cohort?

For American teens, a summer job used to be a rite of passage to adulthood. But as college admissions gets tougher and kids become more worried about future job prospects, they’re opting for summer school or unpaid internships that will catch the eye of universities.

Getting a university degree was once seen as a useful path to a lucrative career. Yet high tuition fees are deterring many, especially given that employers are increasingly looking beyond academics, instead considering a range of other factors. So is the traditional degree a thing of the past?