MEET Irene Larbi
Lead Actuarial Associate
(former Retirement Intern)
Team Retirement
Segment Human Capital & Benefits
Location Arlington, U.S.
Program Internship program 2016
University Youngstown State University
How did you come across our Internship program offering?
I was introduced to Willis Towers Watson’s Internship program during a career fair organized by the International Association of Black Actuaries (IABA).
Tell us a bit about your key responsibilities when you were an intern
As an intern, I was given responsibilities that helped me learn about the business and the organization, including:
- Working on a pension plan termination project alongside a Senior Consulting Actuary
- Performing data intensive tasks in Excel
- Performing pension benefit calculations for plan participants
- Working on an actuarial equivalence project with other interns.
What were some key things that you learnt during your Internship program?
The top five things I learnt as an intern helped me expand my knowledge about the Human Capital & Benefits area, whilst helping me grow as a professional and as a person:
- Professional networking
- Time management and prioritizing
- Industry standards and practices
- Teamwork
- Confidence and adaptability
Do you recall your best memory? Tell us about it!
My best memory was my final internship presentation. It was the culmination of everything I had learnt and all the people I had the opportunity to work with. It was such a thrill and it didn’t hurt that I did a great job!
What did you like the most about our culture and values?
Willis Towers Watson’s efforts towards Inclusion & Diversity (I&D). I’m originally from Ghana and I had been in the US for about a year, so I was still getting used to everything. The internship was a great introduction and warm welcome to corporate America.
Which other position(s) have you filled since you finished your Internship program and where? Did you ever imagine you would fill these positions when you were an intern?
I am currently a Lead Actuarial Associate in the Retirement Line of Business, mentee in Financial Wellbeing, member of the recruiting team and actively involved in I&D initiatives. These roles are very important accomplishments for me since some were goals I set for myself as an intern and I am glad to have had the opportunity to exceed them and aim higher.
How did being an intern help you prepare for your current position at Willis Towers Watson?
I was already accustomed to the tools, processes, culture and colleagues, so it reduced any onboarding stress, allowed me to settle in easily and focus on my actual work.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who was integral to your experience?
Internship coordinators, my buddy and all my client teams.
What advice would you give to someone who’s eager to apply to a Willis Towers Watson Internship program?
Go ahead and apply! It’s a great company to work for. We live by our values and strive to continuously improve our early careers programs, so all our colleagues get the best out of them.
Learn more about our early careers programs here.
MEET Cynne Huang
Executive Compensation Consultant
(former Executive Compensation Intern)
Team Executive Compensation
Segment Human Capital & Benefits
Location Shanghai, China
Program Internship program 2017-2019
University Fudan University
How did you come across our Internship program offering?
Willis Towers Watson was promoting their early careers programs at my university when I first heard about their internship schemes.
Tell us a bit about your key responsibilities when you were an intern
As an intern I was mainly responsible for analyzing executive compensation data and long-term incentive mechanisms of Chinese companies listed in Mainland China, Hong Kong and the US.
What were some key things that you learnt during your Internship program?
I learnt important communication skills and how to manage the relationship with clients. I also got the opportunity to acquire more business and industry-oriented knowledge.
Do you recall your best memory? Tell us about it!
Amongst my favorite memories are celebrating colleagues’ birthdays together and team building activities like barbeques!
What did you like the most about our culture and values?
There are two things I value the most from Willis Towers Watson’s values and culture:
- Teamwork: colleagues are very helpful and willing to teach you so you can grow professionally
- Flexibility: there’s no limit to the place or time you work as long as you’re able to accomplish the task on time.
Which other position(s) have you filled since you finished your Internship program and where? Did you ever imagine you would fill these positions when you were an intern?
I am currently a consultant in the Executive Compensation (EC) team. As I majored in Finance, being a Human Resources (HR) consultant is something I never imagined or saw coming. But I find it interesting how some HR-focused issues are also related to finance, such as option valuation.
How did being an intern help you prepare for your current position at Willis Towers Watson?
The knowledge I obtained on data collection and analysis as an intern deepened my understanding of EC, which has helped me excel in my current position.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who was integral to your experience?
I’m grateful for my manager and mentor’s help during difficult times. They were kind enough to share their knowledge selflessly; I’m also very thankful to have had supportive colleagues that have since become great friends.
What advice would you give to someone who’s eager to apply to a Willis Towers Watson Internship program?
Do not hesitate to apply. You’ll receive great support from the Willis Towers Watson team to grow as a professional and achieve your goals.
Learn more about our early careers programs here.
MEET Merylle Anne Aldea
Software Development Engineer in Test
(former Quality Assurance Intern)
Team Quality Assurance
Segment Human Capital & Benefits
Location Taguig City, Philippines
Program Internship program 2018
University De La Salle University
How did you come across our Internship program offering?
I was at my school’s Job Expo in search for an internship program and Willis Towers Watson was one of the participating companies. Out of all the companies I applied for, Willis Towers Watson was the first one to reply back, so I guess it was meant to be!
Tell us a bit about your key responsibilities when you were an intern
As an intern, I was part of the Quality Assurance Team at Human Resources (HR) Portal. I was trained to do both manual testing and automated User Interface/Application Programming Interfaces testing. I was also involved in everyday colleague tasks and was immersed into the different traditions of the team since day one.
What were some key things that you learnt during your Internship program?
Although my internship went by very quickly, I think I was able to maximize my three months of training. The experience I gained during my internship program was incomparable to the lessons taught in school – which only goes to show that not everything can be learned in the four corners of a classroom. The program also introduced me to technologies that I had never encountered before, which sharpened my programming skills. Most of the things I experienced were new to me and I took it all in with an open mind.
Do you recall your best memory? Tell us about it!
I recall having to dance to Jingle Bell Rock in front of other Quality Assurers from the Software Development Team. I was told that this was a requirement for me to join the team. It was a joke of course, but I was gullible enough to believe it anyway!
What did you like the most about our culture and values?
I liked that there is no sense of one-upmanship even though most of my colleagues are already experienced developers. Everyone is always willing to help one another and is ready to rise to the occasion. There is a contagious positive energy in the team that makes you push yourself to work harder. Also, work-life balance is very important to me, so I was very happy to know that the company allows colleagues to work flexible hours.
Which other position(s) have you filled since you finished your Internship program and where? Did you ever imagine you would fill these positions when you were an intern?
Immediately after the Internship program, I was hired as a full-time Software Development Engineer in Test. Throughout my internship I prepared for this role, so I was very proud of myself when I got officially hired.
How did being an intern help you prepare for your current position at Willis Towers Watson?
My transition from being an intern to a full-time colleague was seamless since the program fully equipped me for the role. My involvement in the team’s daily activities made it easier for me to adapt with minimal adjustments.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who was integral to your experience?
I’m thankful for my manager, my Test Solution Architect, and of course my buddy, for being patient while I was still learning the ropes. I could say that they were the three people who not only saw what I am capable of, but also believed in what I could possibly offer in the future. I would also like to thank the whole HR Portal family who have always supported me since I was an intern and beyond. I am happy to say that I found life-long friends in them.
What advice would you give to someone who’s eager to apply to a Willis Towers Watson Internship program?
There will be a lot of things that you won’t know at first, and that is perfectly okay. Being in that position is a humbling experience and it will help you strive harder. Just be patient and try your best because there will always be colleagues to help you along the way at Willis Towers Watson.
Learn more about our early careers programs here.
MEET Florence Budge
Willis Re, Broking
Team Willis Re, Broking
Segment Investment, Risk and Reinsurance
Location London, U.K.
Experience level Intern
University University of Edinburgh
Why did you pursue an internship with Willis Towers Watson?
During my summer vacations from University I participated in various work experience placements within the insurance industry, both in broking and underwriting. Broking really appealed to me given the diversity of the role. As a broker, you get to see the whole insurance transaction and gain expertise from both the client and the underwriter perspective. Reinsurance specifically caught my eye as an area with a wide scope. I was particularly interested in exploring reinsurance as capital management. Willis Towers Watson is one of the largest and most respected reinsurance brokers in the world and I found that they had a great and diverse internship programme. I was also aware of the positive reputation of the organisation within the industry and was keen to experience this myself.
What was your experience of the application process?
The process was vigorous, but very rewarding. There was an online application, some tests and then a video interview. Once I had been invited to an assessment centre in Willis Towers Watson’s London offices, the communication from the Willis Re recruitment team was fantastic. The interview day was a good opportunity to ask questions and get a feel for the industry and the company itself. There were two individual interviews, and an assessed group activity.
What were your thoughts/apprehensions about completing a virtual internship? Did they change once you joined the programme?
I was curious as to how an internship would work online; however, I have been very pleasantly surprised by its efficiency. We were issued laptops and headsets and for the first few days had a chock-a-block itinerary of introductions and seminars to occupy us. The last six weeks have introduced me to many different areas of the reinsurance world, including a Solvency and Financial Condition Reports benchmarking project, preparation for the UK market update seminar, a Willis Re market overview compilation and my own personal project on the impact of COVID-19 on the UK (Re)insurance industry.
What training and development opportunities have you enjoyed as a result of the internship?
The interns at Willis Re are enrolled onto the REACH (reinsurance achievement) programme during their time with the company. We attended the training sessions with graduates, specifically focussing on Catastrophe modelling. Similarly, we were invited to global virtual seminars throughout the scheme. A particularly impactful session discussed the problems of diversity that exist within the insurance industry and the efforts that Willis Towers Watson are making to change this.
Is there anything about the internship that you found really challenging? What support did you have to overcome those challenges?
I think one of the most challenging aspects of a virtual internship is overcoming the small problems that, in an office scenario, would be rectified easily by a nearby colleague. From a distance, however, these inconveniences, such as technical glitches or issues of wording, are harder to deal with. Luckily, we were encouraged to call fellow team members for help – even for the most minor queries. Also, I think having to deal with problems on the spot and without a more qualified guiding hand in the room, we were encouraged to think and work more independently than we might have done in the office.
What were the highlights of your internship experience?
From a professional point of view, I really enjoyed researching and presenting my end of internship project. I was lucky enough to present on the impact of COVID-19 on the insurance and reinsurance industries – something very topical which everyone was keen to discuss with me. Socially, the grads were kind enough to organise a quiz night for the interns, which was really good fun, despite my teammate and I doing abysmally in most rounds… I also enjoyed participating in the UK Motor team bingo – it was a great way of getting to know colleagues in a different context. I am looking forward to meeting a few of my teammates for a catch up later this summer!
Do you think you gained anything extra/different from having your internship online? What were some of the benefits of not being physically in the office?
I think that the virtual nature of the internship allowed me to meet a wider range of people than I might have done in the office – including some in other countries. Members of different teams and areas of expertise were willing to carve out their time for me to have a chat and answer some of my questions. Similarly, I was able to gain an insight into different areas of business that my team might not have daily interactions with, such as Insurance-linked Securities I felt this this expanded my knowledge of the industry. Additionally, avoiding the morning rush-hour commute in hot weather was a big plus.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
The culture I experienced within Willis Towers Watson, specifically Willis Re, was inclusive, friendly, professional and fun. I never felt as though I was a less significant part of the team given the fact that I was an intern, I was given responsibility straightaway and was able to approach anyone no matter how senior for their advice and insight. People always made time for me, no matter what other things they might have had on their agenda.
Were you able to build your network with your internship peers and Willis Towers Watson colleagues, even though you weren’t physically together? What things were in place/did you proactively do to achieve this?
The sense of team within Willis Re is strong. I was made to feel part of the team from my first morning on the job. I pushed this further by reaching out to as many new contacts as I could, filling my diary with virtual coffee meetings and question sessions. At the end of the six weeks I had sat down for virtual introductions with nearly 30 colleagues, including the Willis Re CEO.
The other interns and I had weekly catch ups to share our experiences across different lines of business, which I really enjoyed.
What is your hope for your career in the future?
I would love to pursue a career in reinsurance broking, specifically structured lines of business.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering an internship at Willis Towers Watson?
I would thoroughly recommend applying for this scheme. I have learned an extraordinary amount even under quite unusual circumstances, and the internship has certainly increased my appetite for a career in this industry. Practically, I would recommend grasping every opportunity, talking to as many people as you can and asking every question you have – no matter how silly you fear it is! For reinsurance specifically, expect an inordinate number of acronyms, and invest in watching a quick YouTube tutorial in how to do v-look-ups!
MEET Pei Wang
Actuarial Analyst
(former Life Intern)
Team Insurance Consulting and Technology, Life insurance team
Segment Life and Annuity
Location Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Experience level Intern
University University of Connecticut, Master in Applied Financial Mathematics
Personal interests
I am passionate about learning, travel (anywhere I haven’t been is attractive to me) and music.
Why did you pursue an internship with Willis Towers Watson?
Willis Towers Watson was on the top of my list as I had been aware of its name and reputation for years. Consulting was the area I knew I wanted to explore.
What was your experience of the application process?
It was positive. The responses I got from the recruiting team were always quick and clear. The online application process was easy to follow.
And of the internship itself?
My responsibilities included sorting and analyzing data, making clear outlines and summaries, and communicating efficiently to managers and clients. I participated in major projects, which included summarizing data on provider assumptions on pricing models, rates and the like, as well as reviewing tech reports and conducting an analysis of potential outsourcing clients.
What training and development opportunities have you enjoyed as a result of the internship?
I gained professional skills and knowledge and improved my communication skills. Every project I took part in, every discussion I attended, every colleague I worked with — contributed to the overall educational experience.
Is there anything about the internship that you found really challenging? What support did you have to overcome those challenges?
It was somewhat overwhelming at first to realize that, as an intern, I had full responsibility for a specific part of a project. Getting used to a new role initially felt challenging, and I wasn’t sure if I was understanding things correctly or delivering things as expected. But all my peers and managers were so encouraging. They gave me positive feedback and full credit for doing my part. All this helped me feel supported throughout my internship. I felt appreciated and trusted by my team, which made me want to work harder.
What were the highlights of your internship experience?
The outsourcing case I worked on was creative and interesting. We needed to analyze the financial data, strategic information and human resource strategy of potential clients. We used various information sources to create benchmarks for pursuing new business and making deals. It was a great opportunity for me to solve open-ended, real-world problems from the ground up.
I also enjoyed getting to work with nice, friendly people who were always open to questions and offered help when I needed it. As an intern with limited knowledge, they were always patient with me and taught me a lot. Also, the company provided a great deal of support for me to continue my course of study and take certification exams, which I very much appreciated.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
The culture is flexible and respectful. Working on multiple projects while studying for my exams required good time management skills. People and management are flexible — you get to make your own plan as long as you can deliver your work on time.
What is your hope for your career in the future?
I look forward to studying and passing exams so I can get industry certifications. I’d like to explore different business lines and work toward becoming an expert in the insurance industry, and pursue a consultant role.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering an internship at Willis Towers Watson?
Be willing to learn quickly. Working in a consulting company can be diverse and intense, and you have the opportunity to try different roles on different projects. You should take the initiative and be confident, as the work moves quickly. Know you were hired for a reason and are there to make a contribution. Every single day can be your opportunity if you are willing to take it in and enjoy it.
You’ll feel comfortable and appreciated working here.
MEET Jasmin Bedi
Retirement Associate
(former Intern)
Team Retirement
Segment Human Capital and Benefits
Location Reigate, United Kingdom
Experience level Intern
University St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, India, BSc (honors) Mathematics
Why did you pursue an internship with Willis Towers Watson?
Having studied for some actuarial exams at university, I was keen to understand the practical aspect of the theoretical knowledge I was gaining. Willis Towers Watson gave me the opportunity to work for some of the biggest pension schemes in the country, which was a perfect opportunity to learn the essence of the industry.
Can you tell us about your career progression with Willis Towers Watson, starting as an intern?
I started my career as an intern with Willis Towers Watson India a few years ago and now I work as an associate with Willis Towers Watson UK. Having worked as an associate on defined benefit schemes in India, I wanted to get exposure to the pension industry in another country. As one of the largest actuarial companies with a presence in multiple countries, Willis Towers Watson made getting an opportunity to work in another country easier. I applied for a position in the UK, was contacted by HR and after a few in-depth interviews, was made an offer to transfer.
Willis Towers Watson’s Global Mobility team made the transition a smooth one, and I felt supported at every step. It was definitely a big change driven primarily for the purpose of career advancement. Now that I have been in the UK for almost 10 months, I feel the move has helped me grow both professionally and personally.
What were your responsibilities as an intern?
As an intern I was responsible for shadowing consultants in the preparation of valuation reports for clients for accounting purposes. It gave me a good understanding of how pension liabilities impact the ledger for multinational corporations. I also got an opportunity to sharpen my Excel skills by creating a spreadsheet for automating a process.
What training and development opportunities have you enjoyed as a result of the internship?
Willis Towers Watson has an extensive training programme, along with great study support. To succeed an actuary, we need to maintain a balance between work, study and social life. Having a generous study policy made things easier. Also there were frequent social events with the team where I got to interact with senior consultants and actuaries; learning from their experiences was definitely an added benefit.
What were the highlights of your Willis Towers Watson career experience?
At a very early stage in my career, I had an opportunity to work closely with a senior consultant supporting a client that was implementing a government-driven defined contribution pension scheme. It involved managing a project with multiple stakeholders and tight timelines. We started by selecting a third-party administrator, and then had discussions with senior management at the client company to ensure they had the platform required to introduce the new pension scheme to employees.
From having the opportunity to attend client meetings and work with communication experts to prepare content for employee awareness, this experience provided incredible exposure to project management and to the client.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
The culture is diverse, with something for everyone. One of the best things about my job is the ability to interact with members of the team at all different levels. I love that I get to learn new things from highly experienced actuaries. I also enjoy the sincere appreciation I receive from not only my manager, but from the people I work with directly.
