A Summer Intern Experience at KeyNest, 2024 edition

By Abigail Ankrah, KeyNest London intern in summer 2024 (aka Brat Summer)

As a second-year university student, searching for practical work experience can be a daunting task. That’s why I was both relieved and excited when I found out I had successfully secured the business development intern position at KeyNest. The anticipation of going into a professional environment and learning from experienced individuals was a mixture of excitement and nervousness however Keynest made my experience easy.

Monthly Socials with the team. That day Florian left early as he was getting dangerously close to loosing.

First Day

On my first day, I walked through the office doors, unsure of what to expect. I was greeted by the whole team and shown around the office. After my introduction quickly learned that KeyNest would be a very easy-going environment. My first day  days were spent learning the ropes and getting accustomed to the company's operations which was a great experience as everyone was approachable which made my learning process efficient.

Day-to-Day at KeyNest

As my internship progressed, I became more confident in my role, primarily focused on business development. I took charge of key tasks such as operations, store recruitment and client outreach. One of the highlights for me was successfully securing a new partnership as this milestone not only boosted my confidence but also gave me the determination to secure many more partnerships. This experience provided me with a life long skill and also improved my outlook on what it takes to work within Business Development and how you mindset should be.

In addition to my business development duties I was also given the opportunity to work alongside the Sales and Marketing team which I enjoyed throughly. Working in both of these departments enhanced my skill set and allowed me to have a more strategic outlook and mindset within both the marketing and sales environment.

Team Spirit and Workplace Culture

The team enjoying a well-deserved end of the week bowling social. That day Florian stayed until the end as he won.

KeyNest isn’t just about hard work but it’s about the people who make the work enjoyable. Whether it was the casual after-work drinks or a monthly social everyone within the team was able to let their hair down. There was never a dull moment with anyone just constant banter and hard work.

A Memorable Experience

Looking back, my time at KeyNest was most definitely valuable as I have learnt and gained necessary skills such as client communication and the dynamic of working around a B2B environment. The entire experience taught me the importance of confidence, adaptability, and perseverance in a fast-paced environment. KeyNest has left me with not only new skills but fond memories of my time with fun and hardworking colleagues in an innovative company.

My biggest piece of advice for the next intern is to never be shy of asking questions. Everyone at KeyNest is approachable and always willing to help, so asking questions will only enhance your learning and practical experience.

My advice for future interns:

Don’t be afraid to explore different areas! Whether it’s business development, sales, or marketing. Exploring these opportunities will give you a more well-rounded perspective and allow you to develop a broad range of skills. Most importantly, make sure to enjoy the social side of things as working hard is great but playing hard feels deserved.