In Your Shoes - Natalie McKnight

Monday

Monday marked a bittersweet moment as we said goodbye to our student placement, Rian, who completed her 10-week placement with us. Rian is a third-year student at Abertay University studying BSc (Hons) Digital Marketing and Business, and it’s been fantastic to see her grow in confidence and skills over her time here. We celebrated her achievements with a team lunch – always a nice way to recognise the contribution placements bring to MSIP.

After lunch, it was straight back into work. I spent the afternoon capturing fresh content for one of our available office spaces in the Johnston Building. Showcasing our spaces effectively is key to attracting the right tenants, so getting high-quality visuals and messaging is always a priority. I then worked on uploading and publishing the new webpage, ensuring everything was live and aligned with our wider marketing approach. It’s always satisfying to see a project go from concept to live in a single day – especially when it supports bringing new businesses into our community.

Tuesday

Tuesday started with some familiar faces as our regular guests from Costa Coffee joined us, having booked one of our meeting rooms. It’s always great to see returning visitors – it’s a sign that the space and experience we offer is working. I took the opportunity to have a quick catch-up and build on those relationships, as networking often happens in the most informal moments.

The rest of the morning was focused on preparing for an upcoming event with Angus Housing Association. Event prep is all about the details – ensuring the space was set up correctly, logistics are covered, and everything runs smoothly on the day.

In the afternoon, I shifted focus to strategy, working on marketing plans for some of our upcoming available units. This included reviewing our website analytics and monitoring performance from our paid campaigns. Understanding what’s working (and what’s not) helps us continuously refine our approach and ensure we’re reaching the right audiences. It’s a balance of creativity and data, which is something I really enjoy in my role.

Wednesday

Wednesday was a busy but incredibly rewarding day. It started early as we welcomed Angus Housing Association to MSIP for their Staff Away Day. Hosting over 50 guests in our Innovation Hub is always exciting – it’s great to see the space being used for collaboration and bringing teams together. The atmosphere was fantastic, and it’s always rewarding to know we’ve helped facilitate a successful event.

In the afternoon, I headed over to the University of Dundee to support the International Student Symposium. This was a highlight of the week for me. I had the opportunity to meet a wide range of students and take part in mock interviews, helping them prepare for entering the workplace.

Supporting students at this stage in their journey is something I’m really passionate about. It’s not just about giving advice – it’s about building confidence and helping them recognise their own potential. The people aspect of my role is, without a doubt, the most rewarding part, and days like this really reinforce that.

Thursday

Thursday was a work-from-home day, which I really value as it allows me to focus on admin tasks while also enjoying a bit more balance. The day started early at 7:00am with a long walk in the sunshine with my dog, Poppy – definitely one of the perks of flexible working!

Once back, I got stuck into emails and invoices for our upcoming events. There’s always a lot happening behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly, and admin days are essential for staying on top of it all.

I also spent time reviewing our pipeline for some of our larger industrial units, looking at opportunities and next steps. Alongside this, I worked on communications to send out to potential tenants, making sure our messaging is clear, engaging, and aligned with our wider goals. These quieter, focused days are just as important as the busy event days – they keep everything moving forward.

Friday

Friday was a half day – something I really believe in after a busy week. Taking time to reset is so important for maintaining energy and productivity.

Despite the shorter day, it was an exciting one. We had a filming opportunity at the Innovation Hub for a TV show, which was a brilliant moment for MSIP. Seeing our venue being recognised and showcased in this way is incredibly rewarding and highlights the growing profile of the Parc.

Even in a few short hours, there was a real buzz around the building, and it was great to be part of something a bit different from the usual day-to-day.