Unlocked desperate need to pursue work (6)
I believe the answer is:
opened
'unlocked' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'desperate need to pursue work' is the wordplay.
'desperate' indicates an anagram (a desperate or pathetic spelling).
'to pursue' says to put letters next to each other.
'work' becomes 'op' (abbreviation for opus).
'need' is an anagram of 'ened'.
'ened' put after 'op' is 'OPENED'.
(Other definitions for opened that I've seen before include "Unfurled" , "Unfastened or moved a barrier" , "Lifted the lid, say" , "Took the lid off" , "Made available" .)