Summer Intern Review

The internship at Hymans was thoroughly enjoyable! As someone who has an interest in a career as an Actuarial consultant, my time here has been nothing but beneficial and cemented my desire to pursue this career. It was made even more enjoyable by the social events you can attend throughout your time here!

At no point during the eight week internship did I actually feel like anything other than a member of the team. Everyone was very welcoming from the first day and actively looked for work that I could complete for them. They were constructive in any criticism they had about work completed, highlighting the respect that runs through the team. Small things such as asking how I was enjoying the internship or if they could explain anything in detail really made the experience that bit more enjoyable.

You are assigned an intern lead, project lead and buddy at the beginning. Each one of these people were approachable and ready to help at any point. Regular catch-ups and chats can be held as often or as little as you like. The wider team are were also there to provide support and guidance at any time. The people superior to you could be sitting at a desk next to or behind you which made interaction with all levels of superiority relatively easy.

On most occasions you are provided with a steady stream of jobs to keep you busy. Each intern is given a project to complete during the course of their time there that they have to present on the last week. This project fills any gaps that you may have in terms of work being given to you.

The work given to me was by no means easy and boring, it was interesting and challenging. If you are not looking for a challenge then this isn't the place for you! The project I was given is to be used by a client and was handed down from a qualified Actuary, illustrating the responsibility you may have. I completed different pieces of work for clients on a day to day basis, keeping my interest and enthusiasm peaked. Do not arrive with a view of making cups of tea, you only have to make them for yourself!!

The skills I have gained as an intern will be extremely valuable once back at University for my final year. The different calculations and modelling I was exposed to will help in the modules and exams at University and later on when back in the workplace. The talks and training you receive will be attributable to many different aspects and not just work.

The office is open plan so that everyone can interact with one another, not just within your own team but with others as well. It was a bright and spacious office with a canteen for people to interact with one another at lunchtime. Everyone was extremely friendly and chatty so that at some points it didn't feel like work at all!

From the induction in week one to the catch ups throughout and finally the presentation in week eight, everything was organised effectively.

Every single member of the team was available at any point to answer any questions I had. This enabled me to gain a much vaster knowledge of the pensions industry and the work undertaken by Hymans Robertson than I previously had. Constructive criticism was given when needed in order to help me progress and improve. Training was regularly given in the form of talks or one on one chats.

I would very much like to come back after I graduate to the same team and work with Hymans Robertson. The experience I've had whilst here has been nothing but great!

There are a variety of events, official and unofficial, that you can attend. There is a summer social organised within the company and month-end drinks. Then there is your invites out for drinks on a Friday evening, or maybe even a weekday sometimes!! Team lunches were always a plus!!!

If you already live in the area in which you work then that's great! It isn't everyday or every night that you're out socialising, unless you want to be, so it's fairly easy to ensure that you can afford to be sociable.

There were plenty of things to do in the area.

There was always something happening on a Friday night.