Summer Intern - Actuarial Private Review

I supported a range of pensions consulting and actuarial projects for trustee and sponsor clients. My day-to-day work included completing technical exercises, analysing pension scheme data, carrying out calculations, reviewing documentation, and assisting with client deliverables. I did lots of transfer values for my client, LDI papers, asset updates, factors updates and developed trustee training slides. I also worked on a project one day a week learning about the background of my client and our relationship with them, including coming up with any opportunities they could adopt.

You're given total responsibility for the amount of work you take on and when you're going to get what done in order to meet the deadlines. You are given responsibility as all the client work you work on is real and has a real impact. It gets checked and reviewed so any errors/improvements can be picked up, but you're still given that initial responsibility which is really exciting. There is also a huge amount of support available and you can ask anyone any question, so you don't feel on your own either. With the project we're given complete responsibility to set up the meetings with everyone you want to interview, and ask the right questions. Also with the charity challenge, we were given complete responsibility of that as a group of interns.

Yes, I developed a wide range of new skills during my internship. From a technical perspective, I gained a much stronger understanding of pensions and actuarial consulting through structured training and exposure to real client work. I developed my analytical skills by working with pension calculations, scheme documentation, data analysis and problem-solving exercises.
I also improved my proficiency in tools such as Excel, Power BI and various actuarial systems used within the business. As the internship progressed, I became more confident in approaching unfamiliar tasks independently and applying my learning to new situations.
Alongside the technical skills, I significantly developed my communication and project management abilities. I regularly worked with colleagues across different teams, participated in meetings, conducted interviews for a research project and presented my findings to senior staff. These experiences helped me become more confident communicating complex information and managing multiple priorities simultaneously.

I received an excellent level of support and guidance throughout my internship. From my first day, colleagues were extremely welcoming and always willing to make time to answer questions, explain unfamiliar concepts and provide constructive feedback.
The internship combined structured learning through the Technical Academy with practical experience on real projects. This meant I had access to both formal training and day-to-day support from experienced colleagues. Regular check-ins with my people manager, buddy and other team members helped me track my progress and identify areas for development.
What stood out most was the balance between support and independence. I was trusted to take ownership of my work while knowing that help was always available when needed. Feedback was consistently constructive and encouraged me to develop both my technical knowledge and professional skills.

The company culture was one of the standout aspects of my internship. They really embody their 'friendly' company value. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, approachable and willing to help, regardless of their role or level of seniority. From the beginning, I felt like a valued member of the team rather than just an intern.
The atmosphere was collaborative and supportive, with colleagues actively encouraging questions, learning and development. There was a strong emphasis on teamwork and knowledge-sharing, which made it easy to build relationships across different teams and areas of the business.

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship and would highly recommend it to other students. The placement struck an excellent balance between learning, responsibility and support, allowing me to develop professionally while making meaningful contributions to the team.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the variety of work. No two weeks were the same, with opportunities to work on technical actuarial tasks, client projects, presentations and wider business initiatives. This kept the role engaging and provided valuable insight into different areas of pensions consulting.
I also particularly enjoyed the people aspect of the internship. Colleagues were welcoming, approachable and invested in my development, and I built strong relationships both within my team and with other interns across the firm. The social events and opportunities to connect with colleagues made the experience even more enjoyable.
Looking back, the internship exceeded my expectations. It significantly increased my understanding of the industry, developed my confidence and skills, and confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in actuarial consulting. Overall, it was a highly rewarding experience that I have genuinely enjoyed from start to finish.

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