Client Services Intern Review

I enjoyed my placement in insurance, reinsurance and risk management at Aon. As it is a 9 week placement, you have the time to gain a solid understand of the work your team does on a day to day basis, and their role within the wider company. There was some frustration when I had to wait for work to be set but, as an overall experience, I really enjoyed my time at Aon and met and worked with some lovely people. It was also a lovely group of other interns who all bonded throughout the internship and become good friends.

On occasion, I did feel like a burden to my team, asking and waiting for them to try and find some work to do. However, I found my team very open and always willing to answer questions and help in any way when I needed guidance. I also had the opportunity to meet lots of reinsurers, attend meetings and lunches and had a rounded experience of the industry.

Although my manager rarely assigned me work I had a lot of casual face time with him and we were able to get to know each other well. The team assigned me work as and when they had some and I could turn to them if I was struggling to understand a piece of work. This way I got to know more members of the team and had a more varied work load, especially in different territories and areas of business. This allowed me to gain a wide breadth of knowledge as to whole of Benfield Client Services, not just in one specific area.

It depended week to week and what type of work I was assigned. Technical work took a long time to set up, to ensure you have the correct software and be taught the system. But once that was done, there was plenty to do until the next task set up. I also did a lot of different project work which involved working around my colleagues calendars and learning how best to utilise your time in-between meetings or interviews for larger projects. I also Project managed my teams CSR project and there was always something to do and a query to answer.

I had responsibility in different areas throughout the internship. My main area was leading my team’s CSR project and liaising with both the charity and the venue. I also, along with 2 other interns in my department, took part in the Client Services Town Hall meeting and presented the findings to a project. However, I do not feel like I had work pressure and responsibility of making a deadline throughout my time, which I felt aided my learning.

Reading through slips and contract has heightened my attention to detail and ability to understand different styles of text, aiding me for my final year at university. I have also had the opportunity to lead projects and a group in a professional environment for the first time. I learnt a lot about how to manage people and identified areas I needed to development within my leadership style. I have also improved my interpersonal skills, allowing me to feel more at ease in a professional, office environment.

The atmosphere in my office was generally light-hearted and fun. My colleagues were welcoming and happy to both chat and get to know you and explaining the work they were doing and answer questions. During my CSR project my team hosted a pub quiz night which was well attended by my team. It was nice to get to know people outside of this office.

The Early Careers team were incredibly organised and the first few training days were seamless. The first few days in my team were a little chaotic with no one initially knowing what to do with me and what sort of work I should be assigned, but that was worked through by the end of my second week. I would suggest that the Early Careers team should have more contact with our managers and ensure a timetable of work is initially establish so everyone knows what is expected of them, especially in the first few weeks.

The Early Careers team were incredibly organised and the first few training days were seamless. The first few days in my team were a little chaotic with no one initially knowing what to do with me and what sort of work I should be assigned, but that was worked through by the end of my second week. I would suggest that the Early Careers team should have more contact with our managers and ensure a timetable of work is initially establish so everyone knows what is expected of them, especially in the first few weeks.

The breadth of opportunities within Aon was highlighted to me during my time with the company. There are options to advance your career in different ways and you are not pigeon holed into one specific area. I also like the idea of the graduate rotation and gaining an insight in multiple departments to see where you best fit.

I was taken to lunches with my team to welcome me and to get know the team in a more informal environment. The interns would often meet for Thursday drinks and a group of us would meet for lunch most days, becoming good friends during the course of the placement. Through the CSR project you also get to know other interns who aren’t in your stream better.

My train ticket cost me £108 a week (from Guildford to Bank) plus parking to commute to work which was an expensive outgoing. Socialising is also expensive in the city. I was charged £12 for a glass of wine in one bar. However, over you get to know where is cheaper and how to reduce costs whilst still going out. Drinks were often only once a week so you could budget for the week. However, without the salary bump and change of contact we were sent, I don’t think I would have been able to afford the social side and the train ticket.

The nightlife was good and there were lots of options depending on what sort of night you fancied. There are lots of bars and pubs around the office for casual drinks. If you were after more of a night out then Shoreditch is a 15 minute from the office and has lots of options. It’s reasonably expensive, but it’s London, so I just have to learn to accept it.

The CSR project allowed getting more involved outside work hours and attending fundraisers, especially pub quiz nights. My CSR team were very proud of our work with Dementia UK we have individually decided to start volunteering with them and find out how we can get involved with the charity in the future. There was also socialising with other interns. However, there were no formal activities at work which I was aware of or took part in.