Hi, my name is Keren and I’m in my third and final year studying Computer Science. I’m part of Lonsdale College and currently serve as the Black Student Community Ambassador. In my free time, you’ll usually find me reading comics, watching films, at a concert or spending time with friends!

Last summer, I was working a retail job - just your average part-time role to make some money over summer before I start second year and to stay busy. One afternoon, I served a customer who looked visibly confused and a little overwhelmed. She initially rejected my help, but I persisted and asked her if she needed my help. I took the time to help her, and we ended up chatting for nearly half an hour. Somewhere in the conversation, I mentioned that I study Computer Science and that I was feeling a bit nervous about applying for internships. The thought of going through 90+ applications felt daunting.

What happened next still blows my mind.

She turned out to be the director of an analytics company that works with a range of clients to create employee benefit packages and workplace initiatives using company and employee data. Without hesitation, she wrote down her email and name on a gift card wallet (which I still have carefully stored), and now - just like that – I interned with her this last summer for nine incredible weeks.

What a chance encounter! She told me, “You’ve got an attitude that can’t be taught.” That moment reminded me just how powerful genuine connection can be. I wasn’t networking in the formal sense, I was just who I am and taking the time to help someone, which I truly enjoy. But it paid off in a way I never expected.

I feel a deep sense of gratitude and luck that I don’t have to worry about grinding through endless applications. Instead, I get to enjoy a meaningful internship doing work that aligns with my interests.

But it doesn’t stop there.

Thanks to that same openness and willingness to talk to people, during my time at my job over summer, I made two more incredible connections. One is with a company director in the media industry, working specifically on tech and data within that space. The other is the Head of Data at the very retail company I worked for last summer. Both have expressed interest in staying in touch, and who knows what might come from those conversations?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this, it’s that networking isn’t always about suits and LinkedIn messages. Sometimes, it’s about slowing down, having a conversation, and being open to opportunities, even in the most unexpected places.

So, here’s to the power of connection - and to not underestimating the humble retail job.

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