Paul Emery, Mabanafts Head of Supply Trading, comments;
‘’During Ben’s time at Mabanaft, he has made significant strides in his professional development and embraced each opportunity with enthusiasm, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a willingness to take on new challenges. His commitment to excellence and his ability to adapt to various tasks have been commendable, and he will undoubtedly go far and achieve great success in any path he chooses to pursue.’’
What was the most challenging aspect of working in the Energy Industry for Mabanaft UK?
"I found the most challenging aspect of working in the energy industry to be the necessity to overcome the steep learning curve associated with the amount of knowledge required from day one."
As someone with a limited understanding of the economics of the energy sector, he encountered the need to quickly grasp various commercial facets. To tackle this challenge, Ben proactively sought guidance and insights from experienced colleagues across different departments, including risk, operations, and trading.
By leveraging their valuable advice, coupled with in-house learning resources and his own determination to improve, he successfully built a solid knowledge base. This newfound knowledge allowed him to become a valuable resource for his fellow colleagues, assisting them with industry-specific questions ranging from derivative contracts to cargo transportation. Ben's dedication to continuous learning and willingness to seek guidance from others has enabled him to overcome the challenges of the energy industry, contributing significantly to the team's success at Mabanaft.
How did the internship help to develop skills and knowledge?
During his placement at Mabanaft, Ben honed a wide array of skills that have been valuable to his personal and professional growth. As he reflects on his journey, Ben shares,
"Prior to the Mabanaft placement, I had little exposure to the workplace environment and the commodity industry. As such, it became apparent after a month of work, that although some skills and knowledge I had developed during my degree were applicable, there were skills and knowledge areas which required improvement, namely my communication and attention to detail."
Ben's proactive approach to self-improvement became evident as he stepped out of his comfort zone and critically evaluated his own areas of growth. Through the completion of day-to-day tasks, he gained profound insights into the importance of these responsibilities to the team and the company, further developing his ability to work consistently and reliably.
As he looks forward to his final year of studies, he plans to apply this approach to achieve further success. His time at Mabanaft has shaped him into a capable and adaptable professional, and his acquired skills will undoubtedly propel him to excel in his future pursuits.
What was particularly interesting and rewarding working for Mabanaft UK?
During Ben's time at Mabanaft, various projects have allowed him to delve deeper into the industry. The most rewarding being the development of the ‘over-the-counter’ contract broker quote sheet. Ben comments;
“Engaging in this project deepened my comprehension of the financial derivative industry. I enjoyed constantly refining and improving this sheet to the benefit of the trading team, whilst identifying patterns in the data attributable to economic events.’’
The experience not only strengthened his data analysis and automation skills, but also sparked his interest in exploring another commodity market, potentially as a topic for his dissertation. This project truly showcased the meaningful impact of innovation and analytical insights in optimising trading strategies, making it a gratifying and memorable experience for Ben during his internship at Mabanaft.
Culture at Mabanaft UK
Mabanaft UK fosters a positive and inclusive workplace culture that is particularly beneficial for interns, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and learning through its supportive and meritocratic environment. Ben aptly puts it;
“The culture at Mabanaft UK is meritocratic, where your skills are fully utilised and grown based on your ability to apply yourself and cultivate working relationships. The culture is attributable to its flat structure and a passionate, well-informed workforce willing to lend a hand to see you succeed.”
This nurturing and empowering culture motivates individual development and encourages interns to thrive, contributing to a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere that truly sets Mabanaft UK apart as an exceptional place to work and grow.
Opportunities to collaborate with different departments at Mabanaft UK
At Mabanaft, the collaborative nature of work is highly valued and this extends across all departments. Ben's role necessitated consistent communication with risk and operations departments, providing him with invaluable opportunities to collaborate and gain hands-on industry experience. Ben highlights the positive impact of teamwork and collaboration within Mabanaft.
“Collaboration with different departments has benefited my personal growth and development as I have gained industry experience and a competitive edge compared to other placements as a thorough base understanding of the energy and commodity industry has laid the foundations for further growth. I have found the collaboration experience to be very positive as frequent teamwork has enabled expertise and advice to be passed onto interns.”
At Mabanaft, we believe in nurturing a culture of collaboration, where each department's unique strengths converge to create a cohesive and dynamic environment for our interns and employees alike.
Applying Skills Gained from the Mabanaft UK Internship in the Final Year of University
The knowledge and insights gained during Ben's internship at Mabanaft UK have provided him with the confidence and passion to explore and contribute to his engineering degree in his final year of university. As Ben states,
"I intend on using my enhanced time management skills to achieve a healthy balance between study and free time whilst making the most of my remaining university experience."
With great enthusiasm, Ben embraces the opportunity to apply his in-depth knowledge of the energy industry, specifically energy technologies. Equipped with the skills and experiences acquired during his Mabanaft internship, Ben is well-prepared to thrive in his final year, utilising his expertise in the energy industry and cultivating a collaborative work approach. The impact of Benjamin's internship resonates as he embarks on his academic journey, poised for success in his coursework and beyond.
What Mabanaft UK says
Clare Charlton, Mabanafts’ Head of Sales & Marketing, comments;
"I would like to extend my appreciation to Ben for his outstanding contributions during his time with us. His dedication, enthusiasm, and strong work ethic have made a positive impact on our team and the organisation. Witnessing his growth and development throughout his internship has been a pleasure.
As Ben moves on to new opportunities, I wish him the best in all future endeavours. Undoubtedly, his exceptional skills and drive will continue to propel him towards great success.”