Summer Intern: Risk Management Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my work placement, the work was extremely rewarding, and with the huge support network provided during my time at Lloyd's any challenges I faced were solved smoothly.

I felt very valued by my colleagues, I knew that the work I was doing was useful to my team, and the feedback I was given after each bit of work never failed to include a thankyou for my help.

I was given a huge amount of support during my placement, my manager and I had a weekly meeting to discuss any problems I might have been experiencing, and to catch up on the progress of my projects. My manager was always willing to answer questions, and offer help whenever it was needed.

As with most roles, there were days when I was busier than others, however even on the quieter days there was always work I could be getting on with. If I finished one project, I was encouraged to ask for more work, which I did, ensuring I was being as useful as possible to my team.

I felt like I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement. I had to complete high profile reports for board and committee meetings, as well as representing my team in stakeholder meetings.

I was extremely impressed with the training I received during my placement. Lloyd's organized for an external training agency to help the interns and I develop our personal development, such as presentation skills, which were useful at the end of the internship and in my degree programme. Furthermore, Lloyd's provided training on Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint and Word.

The atmosphere was very social and friendly. I was frequently encouraged to network with other people in the organization, both within my team and beyond.

The work placement was extremely well organized. Before my first day I was sent an itinerary describing the activities that would be included in the induction week. We were then provided with further information once we started the internship about how the placement would run, and what would be expected of us. We were given information about what was required at the end of the placement well in advance, and the planned time scales were kept to.

Lloyd's invested a huge amount into the interns, providing us with several training sessions on Lloyd's as an organization and the market, as well as personal development for which an external agency came in. We were also given computer skills training to assist us in our placement.

The employment prospects with Lloyd's are extremely appealing. Lloyd's offer a graduate scheme, consisting of three placements, one in the market and two in different areas of the organization. This will be a great opportunity to experience different sides of the organization and market, to help me decide what career path I wish to take.

Lloyd's held their summer barbecue during my placement which was very enjoyable. There was also an event arranged for graduates and marine underwriters, which was good fun. The current graduates informed me that this sort of event is organized quite frequently.

The cost of living and socialising in London was quite expensive, however no more than can be expected for such a nice part of the city.

The nightlife was always buzzing in the area around Lloyd's, with the local bars and clubs full of people most evenings after work.

Whilst I was on my placement, there were opportunities to be involved in charity work within some teams, as well as the chance to show members of the public around the Lloyd's building.