Actuary Review

The internship was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I was able to experience different sectors of the company including investment and admin. The training was well-planned and I was able to complete work that actually contributed. The amount that I have learnt in the past 8 weeks is incredible, not only in relation to tasks within the job, but also regarding the general office experience, discovering my strongest skill sets and where I could improve.

From day one I was invited into all meetings, including those with clients and allowed to experience what it is like as a member of the team. I quickly felt as though I was a part of the team and not simply a summer student which was lovely. My team was very social which was great and we regularly went for lunches together and made to feel a part of something. The family feel throughout the office added to the enjoyment of my internship and eased any nerves I had towards the beginning. Any work I completed for a colleague or helped with was received with gratitude and help provided whenever required.

I felt very comfortable to ask questions if I did not understand something and there was always someone on hand that could help me. A lot of training was provided to ensure I could complete tasks. My supervisors always ensured I was doing OK and had enough work to be doing. I received a pack in my starting week with a lot of information in it and received guidance at both my 4 & 8 week reviews with my mentor and supervisor on how I was doing which was very useful.

I always had plenty of tasks to be getting on with. There was a weekly meeting in which we would distribute tasks around the team, in which I could state how busy I felt at the time. If I was ever short of something to do I had projects to work on but most of the time there would be something client-related I could help with. At times it was hard to focus on the projects as there were alternative things to be doing but over the course of the 8 weeks I found a good balance. I can safely say I was never bored.

A lot of the work I would be doing was client related so there was a lot of responsibility involved. I was trusted to complete tasks to deadlines and even communicate with clients via email and phone on various occasions which was great. All work completed is checked to ensure high standard so you know how well you are performing. I even had the opportunity to organise a social event for the team which was great fun.

My confidence has developed significantly, I now feel much more comfortable with the prospect of interviews etc. This internship has helped me discover my strengths and understand where I could improve. In terms of my degree studies, I feel I now have an even higher level of self-motivation knowing what I can achieve. I have learnt so much over the past 8 weeks and a lot of the information from investment will assist me with my economics studies for example.

There was such a family-feel to the office, everyone was very welcoming and friendly from the secretaries to the various teams. Everyone helps each other in any way they can and there was always an up-beat atmosphere. The interaction with colleagues and the friendly vibe really contributed to my enjoyment of this internship. Everyone is treated fairly regardless of their position within the team and although the company is growing it has maintained the smaller, close-knit feel.

Everything was very well planned and the way it was organised allowed me to experience different teams and aspects to the job. The projects I was assigned to work on were well thought out and equally challenging. As the internship has been running for a while I could tell that it had been tried and tested judging by how well everything ran. I never once felt in any ones way or wasting time but always as though I was positively contributing and my time was appreciated. The first 2 days involved all of the interns across other firms coming together for induction days which was a lovely chance to meet other people in the same position.

A lot of time was put into the training as there is so much to learn and it is all very foreign when starting, but topics were well covered and any questions I had answered. As the internship went along there was further training and individual tasks explained. The 4 & 8 week reviews contained feedback from other colleagues I had worked with which really aided personal development as I could see where I was doing well. If I ever needed help or guidance it was available and I always felt comfortable in asking if I need further explanation.

I would love to work for this company in the future and if offered a place would not hesitate to accept. Before starting I needed to understand what an actuary was more clearly as it is a difficult job role to explain but as I have experienced this line of work over the past 8 weeks, I now have a much deeper understanding of what is required and I have realised how a company such as Barnett Waddingham would be so ideal to work for. The atmosphere would allow me to grow and develop both my skill set and as a person. It is important to feel supported and I know that I would be if working for this company.

My team was very social, we almost daily would go for lunch somewhere in the town together and there were plenty of events on offer. I attended a networking event amongst a few others and even had the opportunity to host my own social for the team which was great fun. On a Friday there was drinks club to end the day which was always enjoyable and every other week or so there would be some form of after-work social.

The area is an ideal location as there are lots of student places where things are inexpensive and generally around the town things tend to be reasonably priced. Events were never extortionately priced if I wished to attend and as it is such a vibrant place there was always plenty of options for fairly cheap social things that we could do.

The area is very vibrant and there is always stuff going on. No matter what day of the week there will be a form of event somewhere or certain location where things are busy. There are plenty of restaurants and bars etc. to choose from and the office is located very close to the city centre so there are always options. I think it is an excellent area and the office is in an ideal location.

There was a football match that I could have participated in but opted not to and unfortunately just missed the netball tournament. Aside from socials/events there wasn't really any activities, however we had planned to go golfing on the last day which was great. I would have enjoyed being involved in a sports team or something along those lines, it would be great if the tournaments were more frequent.