From Penguins to Purpose: Reflections from a Kin&Co Intern

At Kin&Co, we're passionate about creating a culture that champions inclusivity, purpose, and people-driven change. As part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing new talent and fostering fresh perspectives, we're excited to share reflections from our Winter Intern, Mary Cummins . Below is her insightful and heartfelt piece, offering a glimpse into her first week with us and the impact of our unique company culture:

Reflecting on my first week as a Winter Intern at Kin&Co, I cannot help but fixate on the penguin—a creature that seems to waddle into every corner of the company’s culture. It hides in plain sight throughout the office, surfacing in everyday conversations (‘penguin pointers’), inspiring team meetings (‘weekly huddles’), and even making cheeky appearances in WhatsApp group chats (‘penguin profile pics’). Yet, the penguin is more than a mere playful figure; it stands as a powerful representation of Kin&Co’s purpose: "To make every organisation work for the world."

This unapologetically unique creature serves as a constant reminder of the importance of sustainability and the disruptive power that even the smallest individuals can have for the better. In many ways, Kin&Co embodies the spirit of the penguin—resourceful, community-driven, and unafraid to stand out. I couldn’t be more grateful than to have spent time as part of this warm and welcoming ‘waddle.’

Despite the inevitable IT hiccups (a rite of passage in any corporate environment), my first week allowed me to delve into a variety of projects that reshaped my perception of consultancy. Instead of undertaking assignments focused solely on maximising client profit, I discovered a sphere of diverse and innovative thinking dedicated to helping businesses realise that it is people, not profit, that drive enterprise. From researching the role of generative AI in commercial landscapes to presenting ‘pain points’ in macro socio-economic trends to the leadership team, every initiative I undertook at Kin&Co reaffirmed this realisation: people are at the heart of the future.

Yet it was not just at a systemic level that Kin&Co disrupted my interpretations of the commercial world. To my surprise, my experience far exceeded the stereotypes often associated with internships. Instead of fetching coffee or organising outdated files, I was entrusted as a co-creator, collaborating on meaningful projects, engaging with clients, and even contributing to discussions about Kin&Co’s future trajectory—opportunities that I am forever grateful to the team for making the space and time for me to embark on.

As my first week seamlessly transitions into a second, I eagerly anticipate further research projects and my first-ever client visit. All of which is making it increasingly difficult to critique my time at Kin&Co—despite the company's unwavering openness to honest feedback. (At a push—maybe just fewer acronyms next time, team.) It’s clear that this is an organisation truly dedicated to making a meaningful impact, not only for its clients but for the world—an impact that has already shaped my career aspirations, revealing the corporate landscape to be a space where values should be reaffirmed, not compromised.