Graham
I started working for Punter Southall in September 2005 on the actuarial trainee programme in the Wokingham office. As with many people, I had not come across the word ‘Actuary’ until I reached university.
However, the more I found out about it, the more I realised that this was the industry for me. It seemed the ideal way to mix mathematics and logic with a chance to apply the answers in the real world.
Another advantage of an actuarial career is that it does not require you to live out of suitcases in hotels for weeks on end, as is the case with some of our competing industries (i.e. accountancy, audit).
The high intake and retention of graduates has meant that the Wokingham office has a sociable and friendly feel to it. The majority of students live within the town itself, which allows for frequent social evenings out, and significantly reduces the stress of the commute to work in the mornings. There are also regular outings arranged by the Social Committee, as well as a chance to do a spot of exercise in our weekly 5-a-side football game.
As is the case with any professional career, exams are a necessary evil! Fortunately at Punter Southall you are assigned a mentor who you can turn to for guidance on balancing study and your daily workload.
The exams are tough and the crucial difference compared with university is having the time to fit in the studying. Going home to study after a day in the office is not easy and so the weekly study days during the main study period are essential.
Initially, the day-to-day work mostly comprises of individual calculations such as transfer values and retirement quotations. However, as your experience and knowledge grows, you are soon given opportunities to work on client valuations and larger projects. I am now responsible for overseeing and checking other team members’ work which initially seemed rather daunting. However, there are always people to turn to who are willing to spend time with you and answer any questions you may have.
Interesting fact!
Captain of a team in the 2009 Green Belt relay – a 220 mile race around the perimeter of the M25!
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