PAS Summer Intern Review

Given the chance to work with senior actuaries regarding a scheme actuary handover process was probably the highlight. Also being involved with PPF work and complicated transfer value calculations allowed me to see the day-to-day work involved in being an actuary.

Very valued - on several occassions, my colleagues would come back to me and ask me to do work for them, to help me keep busy. I also felt treated as a member of the team, although only being there for a few weeks.

My buddy was very welcoming, and receptive to any questions - however trivial they were. Unfortunately, my buddy left to go on secondment a few weeks after I started, and I felt pressure trying to find work. I spoke to my line manager and she told me to go and ask people in person, but I had no success at all, after asking two floors worth of people on more than one occassion.

It varied - at the start of the internship I didn't have computer access, so there was very little work. Once this was overcome, I got a lot of work to do. However, after this peak there was a massive trough in work - at which point I concentrated on my CSR project.

The fact I got to do actual client work made me feel part of the client consultancy process. My only disappointment was not being able to attend a client meeting - Trustee or Company.

The biggest skill I improved upon was my time management, where I had to deal with multiple deadlines. Also, being able to practise upon the theory I had learnt in actuarial modules at university was incredibly satisfactory - as I could see where the work I had done could be applied in practice. The experience has also highlighted relevant industry issues that could influence my dissertation project in my final year.

Very good - everyone is approachable, regardless of the nature of the questions. Also, I am always offered a tea or coffee everyday and have been invited to several promotions and exam pass drinks.

Well structured with a good 3 day induction, although I think a contingency plan needs to be worked on regarding when a buddy leaves the team. Even though the secondment my buddy undertook was incredibly sudden, I felt more needed to be done to accommodate someone leaving an intern.

I was invited to a Development Forum regarding ETV (Enhanced Transfer Value) exercises, the benefits and drawbacks to all parties involved. I also attended a talk about PRiSM (modelling software) and about the work of CPC and TAG.

A lot of my colleagues seem to have positive things to say regarding the support they get for studying towards professional exams. With regards to conversion to a graduate job, I have heard it is 50-70% turnover.

All the interns of my building generally lunched together, sometimes along with buddies. We're trying to organise a night out with all the interns in my building, but it's a struggle with everyone's personal commitments.

There was a Tesco's around the corner, so was fairly cheap for lunch - with the option to go all out for an extravagant lunch! Since I went with my team for drinks, I don't think I ever paid for one.

Well where I'm located there's quite a lot to do, but haven't had the chance to experience it because I end up completely shattered by the end of the day.

Managed to get to play cricket with the Investment team, hosted by a variety of Fund Managers. Drinks outside of work either for promotions or exam passes.