For many early-career professionals, the first step after university can feel uncertain. Choosing a role that provides both learning opportunities and a supportive environment can make all the difference. For Amanda Norris, a Graduate Development Program Analyst in Strategic Risk Consulting, her early careers program offered exactly that.
“I chose to apply to the early careers program at WTW because of the learning opportunities it presented, which allowed me to explore different areas of insurance and methods of risk analysis that can be applied,” she explains. “I also wanted to be in an environment with other young professionals.”
The program’s structured development opportunities quickly proved valuable. One element Amanda particularly enjoyed was the Graduate Development Program’s monthly Speaker Series, which gave graduates exposure to a wide range of perspectives across the business.
“The Graduate Development Program held monthly ‘Speaker Series’ sessions, which were lecture-style meetings about different areas of WTW and advice for early-career professionals,” Amanda says. “They covered topics ranging from office etiquette to stories about career progression.”
These sessions not only introduced graduates to different parts of the organization but also provided practical advice for going from graduate to a global professional.
Alongside professional development, the program also offers opportunities to build relationships and take part in memorable experiences outside of day-to-day work. One of Amanda’s favorite moments came through a volunteering opportunity organized by fellow graduates.
“The highlight of my early-career experience has been volunteering at the NYC Marathon with WTW.” she says. “I had the opportunity to hand out water and encourage runners at the NYC Marathon, which was a very fun and rewarding experience.”
Another standout moment for Amanda was the graduate orientation held in New York City.
“Another highlight was the graduate orientation that was in NYC this past summer, where I had the opportunity to connect with colleagues from other cities,” she explains. “It was great getting to meet people from across the program and build those relationships early on.”
For Amanda, one of the most valuable aspects of the program has been the support and knowledge shared by her team and senior colleagues. Entering the industry without a background in insurance could have been daunting, but she quickly found that people were willing to help.
“Coming into this program, I had no experience in the insurance industry,” she says. “My teams have taught me how to understand insurance structures, developed my R Studios and SQL coding abilities, and taught me how to clearly present findings to clients.”
She adds that the culture of collaboration and support has made a big difference in her development.
“Everyone has been so helpful and eager to help me in any way possible.”
“This program has prepared me for future roles by teaching me how to collaborate with other teams on common goals,” Amanda says. “Last year, we did a project where graduates from different teams compiled a mock RFP.”
Working together allowed the group to recognize each other’s strengths and combine them to produce the best possible outcome.
“As a team, we were able to identify the strengths and abilities people brought to the table to deliver the best outcome possible,” she explains. “This was a valuable experience that I will build upon for future roles.”
Reflecting on her journey so far, Amanda believes the early careers program has given her a strong foundation for the future. From technical capabilities to teamwork and communication skills, the experience has helped her grow both professionally and personally.
“I would encourage someone to apply to WTW for an early careers role,” she says. “WTW has been a great place to develop my soft and hard skills at the beginning of my career that I will carry with me for years to come.”
“There are so many teams and opportunities here,” Amanda adds. “If you join, you are sure to find somewhere that is a good fit for your skillset and interests.”
- Career Growth and Development
- Early Careers
