Actuarial Consultant Summer Student Review

Overall I'd say I have enjoyed my 8 week internship with BW to a large extent, and have learnt a great deal during my time here. The combination of being kept busy (but not usually too busy), and having the chance to work on various important client projects meant that the internship has passed quickly.

All of the colleagues I've worked with have been unfailingly helpful, polite and patient, and delegated to me important tasks and jobs that made me feel like a valued member of the team. Everyone was always willing to answer questions, and guide me through issues I experienced on different bits of work.

My mentor/supervisor has been a very important part of my internship, guiding me through the process and making sure I have enough work to be getting on with (and helping me get more when I have the scope). It has been very useful to have someone like this to go to with questions that they can help with, and I'm very grateful for the support they've provided.

On average I have been comfortably busy ie always have something to be getting on with, but feeling like I have enough time to do it properly and to the best of my ability. Of course there were times when I felt snowed under, when jobs needed to be done to tight deadlines, but colleagues would always be willing to be flexible if the work they gave me was non-urgent.

I feel I've been given a good deal of responsibility given the very junior nature of my role. Most of my time has been spent doing immediately useful client work, and in addition I've been given the chance to organise socials, present to a team meeting on a topical issue etc

The skills I've gained and improved on can be broadly split into those specific to the technical nature of the actuarial role, and broader professional skills pertaining to office work in a large team. I've learnt a huge amount of technical information about the actuarial profession, mainly from the client work I've been doing, and know what to expect if I were to start a career as an actuary.

The general atmosphere of the firm is friendly, supportive and open. All colleagues of all levels of seniority have been approachable and happy to help with any questions I have. Regular socials throughout the internship have added to my whole experience, and there is a thriving sports scene that I've had the opportunity to take part in.

The internship feels like it has been well thought through and has a good structure. Induction days and initial training helped lay the ground for the rest of the internship, and the various assessments/case study tasks have been well organised throughout. I would have preferred if we had a bit more technical training, particularly on transfer values, as I felt lost when I first came to do them.

I feel the company has invested a large amount of time and resources in the internship. Employees have spent many hours helping and explaining, both in formal training sessions and also on a one to one basis for individual pieces of work. Organised meals, socials and outings also represent a significant investment in the interns.

An actuarial career at BW appeals greatly, for various reasons. It's large enough to have big clients and interesting projects, but not so big that you feel like a cog in a machine, and so you get to know everyone in the office well. The firm also has a relaxed and supportive approach to the actuarial exams, offering one study day a week, pay increases for exams passed, and doesn't pressurise graduates to pass quickly.

Most colleagues were sociable and easy to talk to. Pub Fridays, an organised boat party, sports events and meals out gave interns a chance to get involved with the company more deeply and meet people in the office who they hadn't yet worked with. Myself and my fellow interns always took lunch together, and chatted regularly on the company instant messaging platform.

I worked in the central London office, so the cost of travel from where I lived (Brighton) was high. In fairness, I asked to work in that particular office, and could have asked to work in one of the many other offices Barnett Waddingham has around the country, some of which are in cheaper locations.

Central London obviously has a very vibrant and lively economy, with more pubs/bars/clubs/restaurants than can be named. On Fridays I joined many colleagues in a local pub, going to a different one every week. Within a short distance there are also a vast amount of cultural and historical sites of interest.

Many of my colleagues were involved in sporting activities within the firm, with cricket, badminton, football and running being the main examples. I had the chance to play in a cricket match against another actuarial consultancy, to go along to a badminton social with some colleagues, as well as the Thursday lunch time run club.