Inside Okta: A summer of growth and connection at the Dublin office

Though summer is winding down, the Okta Dublin office remains alive with energy and fresh experiences. We recently caught up with two of our summer interns, Ronan McNamara and Nina Concannon, to see how they took advantage of their time here and what made their internships special.

Ronan McNamara: Embracing a role in business development

Ronan McNamara dove into his role as a Business Development intern on the UK/Ireland team at the Dublin office. At the start of the internship, he was particularly excited about gaining hands-on experience as a Business Development representative; and that's just what he got to do.

McNamara learned the intricacies of the role and assisted the Business Development team with their projects, an opportunity he found to be valuable and enriching. He worked with the UK/I and CEE Business Development teams to improve the outreach sequences to connect with potential customers. He found this project hugely rewarding, as he was making a positive, lasting impact on the team.

He also got to experience life as a Sales Development Representative when he joined their team and immediately made a difference by researching accounts for his teammates.

Networking and social events

One highlight for McNamara was meeting Larissa Schwartz, Okta's Chief Legal Officer, during her visit to the new Dublin office. He also enjoyed attending the "Taste of Dublin" event, which was a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues outside the usual work setting. McNamara also loved the opportunity to meet and chat with Jon Addison, Okta's Chief Revenue Officer, and Matt Corley, Okta's Senior Director of Sales Development of EMEA.

Break time rituals

To recharge during a workday, McNamara enjoyed walking around the neighborhood or office to catch some fresh air. When in the office, he found playing a game of pool or Jenga a great way to unwind. He found it a great way to meet and chat with different employees outside of the usual work environment.

Nina Concannon: Navigating business development with flair

Nina Concannon also made her mark as a Business Development intern at the Dublin office. She was thrilled about developing new sequences to help the Business Development Representative teams connect with potential clients. The role allowed her to collaborate with multiple teams, making her contributions impactful and meaningful.

Concannon created a library of 32 different prospecting EMEA-focused prompters, saving her team a considerable amount of time. Moving teams a month in, she had to make a special effort to build relationships with her new teammates. She scheduled one-on-ones with each member to get to know them and help them understand the project she would be working on.

Networking and social events

Concannon was delighted to attend the Taste of Dublin food festival in June, where she bonded with her colleagues over great food and drinks. It was a memorable experience that allowed her to connect with her team outside the office environment.

Concannon was also thrilled to be included in the "Opening of the Dublin Office" celebrations, getting to meet Matt Ellard, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EMEA. Meeting Rachel Phillips, Vice President of UK/Ireland was another highlight. Concannon found it inspiring to hear about Rachel's career path and how she achieved success in tech as a woman.

Break time rituals

Concannon enjoyed relaxing on the bean bags and hammock in the Dublin office, where she saw beautiful views of the Aviva Stadium and the sea. These quiet spots provided a perfect setting to take a break and recharge. Nina also loved having Herbert Park on her doorstep, allowing her to make the most of her breaks on sunny days.

Appreciated perks

Concannon valued the work-from-home support provided by Okta, which helped her stay productive even when working remotely. She also appreciated the free lunch offered twice a week, because it made her commute to the office even more worthwhile.

Wrapping up

Both McNamara and Concannon made the most of their internships at the Okta Dublin office, each finding their own ways to learn, grow, and connect with their teams. From exciting projects and networking events to relaxing office perks, their experiences highlight the vibrant and supportive environment that Okta fosters. They were able to make an impact on their team through their contributions and will now take the learnings with them into their future endeavors.

After this internship, Ronan will be heading off on a year abroad to study at the University of Dusseldorf, and Nina will be returning to Trinity College Dublin for her final year.

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