Investment Consulting Summer Intern Review

As a Wealth Investment Consulting Summer Intern, I supported the Leeds Investment Consulting team across a range of client, technical, research and project-based work. Day-to-day tasks varied which made the internship very engaging. I worked on client reporting processes such as quarterly monitoring reports, transition-related work, audit trails, billing, CDI/Fruition reporting, investment table updates and reports and accounts support. I also had exposure to technical areas such as pensions, LDI, responsible investment, fiduciary management, DC investment, portfolio risk, investment manager research, climate risk and AI in investment strategy.
Alongside client-related work, I attended regular team calls, intern learning sessions, senior speaker sessions, manager meetings and networking conversations across different areas of Aon. I also contributed to an intern project focused on career development, skills for the future and regional career growth at Aon including interviewing colleagues and helping create a video element for the final presentation.

Yes, I was given a good level of responsibility especially as the internship progressed. At the beginning, I spent time learning systems, processes and technical concepts but I was soon trusted with real pieces of work for the team. This included supporting client reporting, helping with transition and audit trail tasks, drafting emails for review, preparing meeting notes, completing research tasks, contributing to presentation materials and taking ownership of parts of the intern project.
I felt that the team gave me enough support while also allowing me to work independently and build confidence. I was encouraged to ask questions, take notes, learn from feedback and gradually take on more complex tasks.

Yes, I developed a wide range of technical, analytical and interpersonal skills during the internship. From a technical perspective, I gained much stronger understanding of investment consulting, pensions, defined benefit and defined contribution schemes, LDI, client reporting, transition work, responsible investment, fiduciary management, portfolio risk, investment manager research and broader market themes. I also became more confident using tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams, Outlook, internal reporting tools and AI tools such as Copilot to support research and learning.
A key skill I developed was learning how to approach complex and unfamiliar information. Many tasks involved working through detailed spreadsheets, reports, slide decks or process notes so I built my own notes and glossaries to break down new concepts and improve my understanding. I also developed stronger attention to detail through work such as client reporting, audit trails, billing, investment table updates and data checks.
I also developed my communication and confidence significantly. I became more comfortable asking questions in team and intern calls, speaking to colleagues at different levels of seniority, interviewing colleagues for the intern project, presenting ideas, drafting emails for review and contributing in wider discussions. The internship helped me become more proactive, organised and confident in a professional environment.

I received a very strong level of support and guidance throughout the internship. From the beginning, I felt that there were people I could go to with questions whether that was my line manager, my connector/buddy or other colleagues in the Leeds office and wider business.
My line manager was very supportive and took the time to check in with me regularly, talk through what I had been working on, help me reflect on my development and give advice on how to make the most of the internship. He encouraged me to set SMART goals, think about future opportunities, ask for different types of exposure and reflect on both technical and personal development. I also felt comfortable raising questions or issues with him whether they were about work, systems, feedback, annual leave or future career routes.
The wider team were also very welcoming and helpful. I was supported by my connector and several colleagues who took the time to explain tasks, give context, answer questions and involve me in real work. This included support with client reporting processes, transition work, billing, responsible investment tasks, meeting preparation, Excel/reporting tools and presentation materials. I appreciated that colleagues did not just show me what to do but often explained why the work mattered and how it fitted into the wider client or team process.
I also received guidance through intern calls, senior speaker sessions, networking conversations, project sponsor support and informal office interactions. Overall, the support was one of the strongest parts of the experience. It helped me build confidence, settle into the office quickly, take on more responsibility and feel comfortable asking questions as I learned.

The company culture was one of the strongest parts of my internship experience. The general atmosphere was welcoming, supportive and collaborative, particularly in the Leeds office. From early on, I felt included by the team through regular catch-ups, lunches, informal conversations, office socials and being invited to get involved in different pieces of work.
The culture felt professional but still friendly and approachable. I was encouraged to ask questions, learn from different people and seek out opportunities across the business. Colleagues were generous with their time and often explained not only how to complete tasks but also the wider context behind the work. This helped me feel more confident and made it easier to settle into a technical area as an intern.
I also liked that the culture encouraged curiosity and development. I had opportunities to speak with colleagues across different teams, attend intern learning sessions, join technical calls, ask questions in senior sessions and contribute to a wider intern project. There was a strong emphasis on learning, feedback, inclusion and making the most of the internship.

I really enjoyed my internship and found it to be an extremely valuable experience. It gave me the opportunity to learn about Wealth and Investment Consulting in a practical way while also building relationships with colleagues across the Leeds office and wider Aon network. I enjoyed the variety of the work from client reporting, transition tasks, responsible investment research and investment-related calls to the intern project, networking opportunities, charity activities and senior speaker sessions.
One of the things I enjoyed most was that no two days felt exactly the same. Some days were focused on detailed technical or reporting work while others involved learning sessions, project work, team meetings, networking conversations or office socials. This variety helped me stay engaged and gave me a much broader understanding of the business.
I also really enjoyed the people side of the internship. The Leeds team were very welcoming and I felt supported by my line manager, connector and wider team. The friendly office atmosphere, lunches, social events and informal conversations made the experience even more enjoyable and helped me feel part of the team.
Overall, I found the internship exciting, challenging and genuinely motivating. It confirmed my interest in financial services and investment consulting, and gave me much more confidence in a professional environment.

Yes