At my companies The KC Group and The Animal People Recruitment Company, we talk a lot about people being at the heart of what we do. That doesn’t just mean clients and candidates—it also means investing in future talent and creating space for young people to explore the world of work.

This month, I had the joy of working with Maisie, a bright and enthusiastic young student who joined us for a week of work experience. We don’t believe in making tea and filing papers—we believe in real experience, genuine learning, and helping young people see the possibilities in the professional world, whether that’s in recruitment, pet, animal health, or beyond.

Maisie’s energy was infectious from the moment she stepped into KC Group HQ, and by the time she joined us at The Animal People Recruitment Company, I knew she was going to leave with a fresh perspective on what a career can look like when it’s filled with purpose and people who care.

Instead of me telling you about the week—we thought we’d hand over to Maisie herself.....

My Work Experience at KC Group & The Animal People Recruitment Company - By Maisie

"I was really excited (and a bit nervous!) the night before my work experience started. I planned my outfit with my mum and had an early night because it felt like a big day.

When I arrived at KC Group, I was welcomed warmly. Everyone introduced themselves and made me feel like part of the team. My day started with a “money meeting,” where the team reviewed their priorities for the week. Everything was written on a big board and there was so much energy—it was fun to watch and really team-focused.

Throughout the day, I got to shadow different team members and learn about all the roles they recruit for. It was amazing to see how everyone works together to help people find jobs.

A big highlight was joining a video call with the Business Operations team. They interviewed someone applying for a sustainability analyst role (I had to Google what that meant afterwards!). After the interview, the team planned how to support them, which I found really impressive. I didn’t realise how much work goes into recruitment—it’s not just about sending CVs!

Later, I joined a meeting with a children’s charity the KC Group supports. It was inspiring to see how the company gives back and supports causes outside of recruitment.

I also learned about a website called Reed, where the team searches for CVs. I helped look for candidates for an HR role in Berlin. At first I was nervous, but once I got going, it was fun—I even found five good profiles!

Later in the week, I joined a video call with the Finance team, where they were helping someone who had recently lost their job. I was surprised by how kind and caring everyone was. You can tell they really want to help people.

One of the most exciting parts of my week was visiting The Animal People Recruitment Company with Sarah (who owns both businesses). They usually work from home, but that day they were based at Birmingham Dogs Home—it was amazing! We were surrounded by dogs, some even came over for cuddles, and I joined meetings about how the team supports businesses in the animal health and pet industries.

At the end of the visit, we presented a £3,700 donation to the Dogs Home to help care for abandoned dogs. It was such a special moment to be part of.

I told all my friends about my week—none of them had an experience like mine. I feel so lucky to have been part of something so inspiring.

I had an amazing week. I learned so much about recruitment, teamwork, and what a real workplace is like. It was brilliant—and I’d love to come back one day.

Thank you so much for having me!

Maisie x"

Why This Matters to Me...

Reading Maisie’s words brings a huge smile to my face. It reminds me exactly why we open our doors to young people, whether they’re curious about careers in recruitment, the pet/animal health industry, or just want to experience what it’s like to be part of a team that genuinely cares.

Our companies aren’t just about filling jobs - we’re about helping people grow and that includes the next generation.

Whether it’s supporting jobseekers across pet, veterinary pharmaceuticals, animal diagnostics, or whatever animal related business it might be, or creating safe and exciting spaces for young people like Maisie, we remain deeply committed to kindness, inclusion, and real opportunity.

Maisie, you were a joy to have with us. Your curiosity, your willingness to get involved, and your positivity didn’t go unnoticed. You’re welcome back anytime.

Interested in work experience with us or exploring a career in recruitment or the animal industry?
I’d love to hear from you.

📩 sarah@kateandco.com