Pensions Actuarial Intern Review

The internship was very valuable and enjoyable.

Office atmosphere and people within it were great, the majority of people seemed very grateful to have help from an intern on their work projects etc.

I had regular catchups with my line manager to check on my progress throughout the scheme. He gave advice on things that I could do better with a focus on getting everything I could from the 6 weeks that I spent here.

Work that was assigned to me was dependant on how busy the team as a whole was, and so there were a mix of busy times and quieter times. In the quieter times we had been set personal objectives and tasks to be getting on with, so there was no time in the programme where I had nothing to be getting on with. Overall a very good balance.

I felt like I was given a lot of responsibility despite not having a great deal of industry knowledge. From the first week I was involved in client related work - and was shown how the work that I performed would be used within the project going forward.

The exposure to a corporate environment, and working within an office will be hugely valuable for any future employment. The work ethic that is required within the office will be beneficial for future studies.

The office is full of consultants, who are very approachable, friendly people. The office is open plan, so it was very easy to have conversations across desks, whether they were work-related or not. (At the time of my internship, the Olympics were on, so there was a big buzz around the office!)

I was extremely impressed with the organisation of the internship. From day one all of my computer-systems were up and running, I had access to every bit of software and stationary that I could possibly need. I was given an schedule of my 6-weeks upon arrival, including training-sessions, mini-project deadlines, social events and manager catch-ups. The whole programme seems very well thought out and looks as if it is improved upon year after year.

I was given several in-house training sessions from first year graduates, supervised by a more senior person, in addition to worksheets to complete in any spare time in the office. The training is very similar to that given if you were to join the company on the graduate scheme.

The conversion rate from internship to a full-time graduate role has been very high in previous years. If I recieve a job offer, I fully expect to accept it.

The opportunity to get involved in socials was great in my 6 weeks. This ranged from pub quizzes, weekly football, rounders tournament, poker night, volleyball, BBQ to simple after-work drinks in the pub with other interns!

The office I was in was Reigate in a nice area of Surrey. Reigate is a lot cheaper than London, but you will still pay around £3.50 a pint in local pubs.

Reigate nightlife is fairly limited, I would recommend getting a 30minute train into Clapham Junction or London Victoria for any nightlife. (I got involved in the RateMyPlacement Summer Intern event in the city - this is recommended!)

As mentioned above, there were about 2 social events available every week to get involved in - this is especially prominent in the Summer.