Summer Intern in Actuarial and Benefits Review

Really enjoyed my 8 weeks as a intern in Actuarial and Benefits. The work environment is great and all the people I worked with in varying roles were helpful and friendly. The worked was just varied enough to not get bored but to also hone skills related to each individual task.

Even from the first day my opinions and viewpoints were recognised and acted upon by colleagues. I was asked to do a lot of work for them but also checked some work other people had done and treated an an equal to everyone else in the team - no photocopying or making tea!

I knew from the first day what was expected of me during the 8 weeks, the work I was likely to be involved in and the timescale for a project I had to complete by the end of the internship. I had a meeting each week with my intern lead who was also my team leader where we discussed the work I was doing and the progress I was making on my project. I also had a catch up with the graduate HR manager and the practice leader of the area my project was in. Individuals of all levels were interested in the work I was doing and happy to provide answers to questions and guidance and advice.

The majority of the time I had a perfect balance of work. I usually got in about 8.30 - but that's just because I don't like being late, being in on time at 9 was not frowned upon - managed an hour for lunch where I would find out about the work other people in the office were doing and their experience of the professional exams and could leave by 5. Despite this I would often stay a bit later to finish work. Not because I had to but because I wanted to get the experience of the work and because I enjoyed it. Nearer the end of my internship I was slightly tight on time as I wanted to be involved in more work but also had my project to finish and presentation to prepare. During this time I had to cut back on the day-to-day actuarial work I had been involved in but still managed to stay pretty late to finish off - again this was not expected of me or forced on me it was my choice.

Given a lot of responsibility over my own time and over work I had to do for clients. All client work is checked and reviewed no matter what level an employee is, so I would say I had the same amount of responsibility as a permanent employee. Again, from the first day I was doing client work and sending external emails. I had a project to complete over the 8 weeks and was left to fit in my work on this however I pleased. Very flexible work style. Was up to me to ensure that deadlines were met.

Learnt to use several internal applications alongside developing skills in Microsoft Office. Taught myself basic VBA as part of a project. I am sure this will be a useful skill to further develop in my studies and future career. Developed further knowledge of Excel but also increased my confidence, resulting in me designing spreadsheets for use by clients.

Everyone was very busy but always had time to chat and answer questions and no one was bored. At some points colleagues' workloads were heavy but they didn't seem to upset about staying in late and being busy.

Organisation was good. were told about the structure. Generally knew what I would be doing during the internship even from when I got the offer. Intern lead and HR kept in good contact.

Everyday I was taught something new or someone offered to go through something with me. I taught myself VBA but had help from members of my team and other people in the office. The main training was on the first day, after that I was left to my own devices but that Is how I learn best anyway and if I had a questions there would be several people to ask. When I had to work on a new task and an internal application needed to be used a colleague would go through the process with me.

I would love to get a job with Hymans when I graduate. Currently waiting to hear back.

There was only one other intern in the Edinburgh office but we got on really well and socialised outside the office. We also went across to Glasgow a couple of time to go out for drinks with the Glasgow interns. The office and my team was very sociable. There are end of month drinks in the office which most people go to with free drink. On my first week I went out with actuarial students to celebrate their exam successes. Another guy in my team qualified as an actuary when I was there so we went out for drinks for that. I had a welcome meal with my team and a leaving meal and the team would go out for a meal every Friday lunchtime. All in all the team and office are very sociable with a lot of reasons to go out for a meal or drinks.

I go to Uni in the same city so I was used to the cost of going out and don't really have an opinion on it. Half of my internship was during the festival though, which meant more reason to go out but also everything becomes more expensive.

Nightlife in Edinburgh is good. Loads of places to eat and drink and the festival was on during my internship so there was a lot of options for nighttime entertainment.

Most of the activities outside work involved eating and drinking. My team had an away day where we played croquet.