Jessica Zimmerman
Actuarial Science Summer 2018
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Role
Actuarial Intern
Location
Princeton, New Jersey
Please list your major(s) and minor(s).
Majors: Actuarial Science and Risk Management
Provide a general description of the work at your internship.
Healthcare Analytics & Consulting
I worked on IBNRs, benchmarks, and retiree valuations primarily in Excel. Also, I collected client-requested information from Structured Query Language (SQL) to help customer representatives provide informed opinions on areas such as pregnancy benefits and wellness programs.
Did you have a mentor?
No
Did you feel your RMI/AS classes better prepared you for the internship?
Yes, Human Capital Risk and Theory of Interest helped significantly!
Interviewing/Hiring Process Comments:
How much experience do you have working in Excel? Have you worked in other programming languages?
Were you assigned any special projects? If so please describe.
Pregnancy Wellness Program - Are the pregnant women of a specified plan following correct safety procedures (avoiding dangerous drugs, regular PCP visits, consistently taking prenatal vitamins, etc.)?
1) Wrote code in SQL Server to extract this type of information on a particular client
2) Determined areas of focus
3) Sent project to manager who used the date collected and focus areas to suggest a reward-based wellness program for pregnant women who follow correct protocol
What were the supplemental benefits besides the pay?
3 Lunch meetings with managers and other analysts, 1 Happy hour
Describe the company's internship program
Atmosphere - friendly, analysts willing to answer questions regularly, managers check-in and offer support when free
Word Load - sufficient work load with time to learn and develop computer skills
Work - engaging, very relevant to the healthcare industry (trend rates, mortality assumptions, etc.)
Housing - No (did not ask because I lived close to the office)
Outside Work Activities - develop relationship with other employees, foster a community, and learn background/fresh perspectives on insurance industry
Was the internship what you expected after the interviewing/hiring process?
Yes
Were you provided time off besides the weekend?
No, but you can ask and AJG will make accommodations.
Actuarial Intern
Location
Princeton, New Jersey
Please list your major(s) and minor(s).
Majors: Actuarial Science and Risk Management
Provide a general description of the work at your internship.
Healthcare Analytics & Consulting
I worked on IBNRs, benchmarks, and retiree valuations primarily in Excel. Also, I collected client-requested information from Structured Query Language (SQL) to help customer representatives provide informed opinions on areas such as pregnancy benefits and wellness programs.
Did you have a mentor?
No
Did you feel your RMI/AS classes better prepared you for the internship?
Yes, Human Capital Risk and Theory of Interest helped significantly!
Interviewing/Hiring Process Comments:
How much experience do you have working in Excel? Have you worked in other programming languages?
Were you assigned any special projects? If so please describe.
Pregnancy Wellness Program - Are the pregnant women of a specified plan following correct safety procedures (avoiding dangerous drugs, regular PCP visits, consistently taking prenatal vitamins, etc.)?
1) Wrote code in SQL Server to extract this type of information on a particular client
2) Determined areas of focus
3) Sent project to manager who used the date collected and focus areas to suggest a reward-based wellness program for pregnant women who follow correct protocol
What were the supplemental benefits besides the pay?
3 Lunch meetings with managers and other analysts, 1 Happy hour
Describe the company's internship program
Atmosphere - friendly, analysts willing to answer questions regularly, managers check-in and offer support when free
Word Load - sufficient work load with time to learn and develop computer skills
Work - engaging, very relevant to the healthcare industry (trend rates, mortality assumptions, etc.)
Housing - No (did not ask because I lived close to the office)
Outside Work Activities - develop relationship with other employees, foster a community, and learn background/fresh perspectives on insurance industry
Was the internship what you expected after the interviewing/hiring process?
Yes
Were you provided time off besides the weekend?
No, but you can ask and AJG will make accommodations.
Elizabeth Carr
Provide a General Description of the Internship. Include daily tasks completed, the company and its employees, and any other information.
I worked on my final project which was a half hour presentation on a project of my choosing. I choose to do Actuarial Science vs. Underwriting: what the differences are and how they relate to the company. I also worked on the auditing process for the quarterly statements and billing statements for the life department clients. I went on a few sales meetings and listened in on a few sales calls. I traveled to the other local offices and had weekly workshops with the other summer interns. We also went to the headquarters which is near Chicago and learned about the company for the week. Additionally, I worked on an IDI (individual disability insurance) project. I helped work with sales executives to develop a process for when IDI should be brought up with clients or prospects. I typically worked 35 hours per week with some travel from Philadelphia to Radnor, PA or to the Mt. Laurel, NJ offices. I traveled to these other offices about once a week.
Did you have a mentor?
Yes
If so, how did he/she help you during your internship?
I had two mentors and they were both helpful. My one mentor helped me understand what the life department was and explained some of the different plans they offer to their clients. Their clients are law firms typically from New York. My other mentor helped me a lot with my final project. She helped me work on my presentation skills and she helped me come up with the project.
Did you feel your RMI/AS classes better prepared you for the internship?
My Modeling 1 class helped me understand some of the life insurance policies my mentor showed me. My actuarial science classes and some of the information I learned from the ASCD meetings helped me for the final project. Intro to Risk also helped me understand some of the terms and topics that I learned in the orientation and the workshops with the other interns.
Interviewing/Hiring Process Comments:
I applied for the position online. I went on an interview at the Philadelphia office. First i met with a few members of the life department team. This interview lasted about 20 mins. Then since they thought I was a good candidate the VP met with me and interviewed me for the position for about 20 mins. Three weeks later they called me back and offered me the job.
Were you assigned any special projects? If so please describe.
The first project I was assigned was a group project with some of the other interns. We helped create a marketing campaign for the Arthur J. Gallagher's National Bench marking Survey. I also worked on my end of internship project where I gave a 30 minute presentation about the differences between Actuarial Science and Underwriting and what the Actuaries and Underwriters do in Arthur J. Gallagher. I also worked on an IDI (individual disability insurance)project. For this project I helped develop a process for the sales team to recognize which clients or prospects are good candidates for this type of insurance. I also discussed when to bring it up and how to.
What were the supplemental benefits besides the pay? (Internship Lunches, Housing, Sports Games, Happy Hours, etc.)
Yes there were a few happy hours and a few lunches.
Describe the company's internship program(atmosphere, work load, work, housing, outside work activities, etc.).
The company's culture is unique and I really enjoyed all the people that I worked with. All the first year interns went to the intern orientation in Chicago for a week. The CEO Pat Gallagher and the heads of the four divisions of Arthur J. Gallagher spoke to us. There was training in Chicago about etiquette, networking, and presentation skills. In addition to those we had eLearn assignments that ran through modules to teach more technical skills. I had workshops with the other interns about some of the different functions within Gallagher Benefits Services for our region. I always had projects to work on throughout my internship, but it was never an overwhelming amount of work.
Was the internship what you expected after the interviewing/hiring process?
Yes
Were you provided time off besides the weekend?
They gave me off two days before I took exam FM, but other than that only weekends.
I worked on my final project which was a half hour presentation on a project of my choosing. I choose to do Actuarial Science vs. Underwriting: what the differences are and how they relate to the company. I also worked on the auditing process for the quarterly statements and billing statements for the life department clients. I went on a few sales meetings and listened in on a few sales calls. I traveled to the other local offices and had weekly workshops with the other summer interns. We also went to the headquarters which is near Chicago and learned about the company for the week. Additionally, I worked on an IDI (individual disability insurance) project. I helped work with sales executives to develop a process for when IDI should be brought up with clients or prospects. I typically worked 35 hours per week with some travel from Philadelphia to Radnor, PA or to the Mt. Laurel, NJ offices. I traveled to these other offices about once a week.
Did you have a mentor?
Yes
If so, how did he/she help you during your internship?
I had two mentors and they were both helpful. My one mentor helped me understand what the life department was and explained some of the different plans they offer to their clients. Their clients are law firms typically from New York. My other mentor helped me a lot with my final project. She helped me work on my presentation skills and she helped me come up with the project.
Did you feel your RMI/AS classes better prepared you for the internship?
My Modeling 1 class helped me understand some of the life insurance policies my mentor showed me. My actuarial science classes and some of the information I learned from the ASCD meetings helped me for the final project. Intro to Risk also helped me understand some of the terms and topics that I learned in the orientation and the workshops with the other interns.
Interviewing/Hiring Process Comments:
I applied for the position online. I went on an interview at the Philadelphia office. First i met with a few members of the life department team. This interview lasted about 20 mins. Then since they thought I was a good candidate the VP met with me and interviewed me for the position for about 20 mins. Three weeks later they called me back and offered me the job.
Were you assigned any special projects? If so please describe.
The first project I was assigned was a group project with some of the other interns. We helped create a marketing campaign for the Arthur J. Gallagher's National Bench marking Survey. I also worked on my end of internship project where I gave a 30 minute presentation about the differences between Actuarial Science and Underwriting and what the Actuaries and Underwriters do in Arthur J. Gallagher. I also worked on an IDI (individual disability insurance)project. For this project I helped develop a process for the sales team to recognize which clients or prospects are good candidates for this type of insurance. I also discussed when to bring it up and how to.
What were the supplemental benefits besides the pay? (Internship Lunches, Housing, Sports Games, Happy Hours, etc.)
Yes there were a few happy hours and a few lunches.
Describe the company's internship program(atmosphere, work load, work, housing, outside work activities, etc.).
The company's culture is unique and I really enjoyed all the people that I worked with. All the first year interns went to the intern orientation in Chicago for a week. The CEO Pat Gallagher and the heads of the four divisions of Arthur J. Gallagher spoke to us. There was training in Chicago about etiquette, networking, and presentation skills. In addition to those we had eLearn assignments that ran through modules to teach more technical skills. I had workshops with the other interns about some of the different functions within Gallagher Benefits Services for our region. I always had projects to work on throughout my internship, but it was never an overwhelming amount of work.
Was the internship what you expected after the interviewing/hiring process?
Yes
Were you provided time off besides the weekend?
They gave me off two days before I took exam FM, but other than that only weekends.
Tyler Lerman
Provide a General Description of the Internship. Include daily tasks completed, the company and its employees, and any other information.
The program was nine weeks long. Interns worked 40 hours per week. Two weeks were dedicated to intern orientation in both Manhattan & Itasca, IL (company headquarters). The other seven weeks of the program I worked with a fairly new producer in the office. We prospected accounts, went on prospect/client meetings, cold-called businesses. I worked with many excel spreadsheets, sales force, and concur. Every Friday all five interns presented in front of key personnel at the branch on various case studies.
Did you have a mentor?
Yes
If so, how did he/she help you during your internship?
I was very pleased with my mentor at Gallagher. He was a young enthusiastic sales person, someone I got along with and learned a lot about sales from. Not only did he help me with intern tasks around the office, but he also provided advice about the insurance industry in general.
Did you feel your RMI/AS classes better prepared you for the internship?
YES! Out of all five interns, there were two risk management majors (myself and another guy). Temple's courses prepared me much better for the internship than the other student's college did. The office was amazed at how much I knew.
Interviewing/Hiring Process Comments:
I completed a phone interview with an employee from Corporate Human Resources and also with the business process coordinator from the company's Manhattan office. After phone interview, I traveled to Manhattan and had in-person interviews with the business process coordinator, the president of the branch, and the sales manager.
Were you assigned any special projects? If so please describe.
I was specifically assigned by my mentor, two industries to cold call: restaurants and small private equity firms. I researched companies before I called and cold called these companies trying to set-up meetings to introduce Gallagher.
What were the supplemental benefits besides the pay? (Internship Lunches, Housing, Sports Games, Happy Hours, etc.)
Lunch and learns, company events, paid for half of my housing, Thursday happy hours, basketball on Tuesdays with guys from the office.
Describe the company's internship program(atmosphere, work load, work, housing, outside work activities, etc.).
Many of the company's employees are former interns, so the atmosphere is very welcoming to college students. There was not much formal training of insurance or risk management concepts (a recommendation I made). Work load was consistent and we didn't have much down time.
Was the internship what you expected after the interviewing/hiring process?
Yes
Were you provided time off besides the weekend?
No. I think we were allowed to take time off if we gave two weeks notice, but I never took any time off.
If you had to relocate, describe the process of adapting to a new city.
I would like to work in New York City, but the process of adapting to such an expensive city is overwhelming. Especially since I would like to assume a sales position, it scares me to think that I don't really know anyone and am expected to monetize my relationships with insurance sales.
The program was nine weeks long. Interns worked 40 hours per week. Two weeks were dedicated to intern orientation in both Manhattan & Itasca, IL (company headquarters). The other seven weeks of the program I worked with a fairly new producer in the office. We prospected accounts, went on prospect/client meetings, cold-called businesses. I worked with many excel spreadsheets, sales force, and concur. Every Friday all five interns presented in front of key personnel at the branch on various case studies.
Did you have a mentor?
Yes
If so, how did he/she help you during your internship?
I was very pleased with my mentor at Gallagher. He was a young enthusiastic sales person, someone I got along with and learned a lot about sales from. Not only did he help me with intern tasks around the office, but he also provided advice about the insurance industry in general.
Did you feel your RMI/AS classes better prepared you for the internship?
YES! Out of all five interns, there were two risk management majors (myself and another guy). Temple's courses prepared me much better for the internship than the other student's college did. The office was amazed at how much I knew.
Interviewing/Hiring Process Comments:
I completed a phone interview with an employee from Corporate Human Resources and also with the business process coordinator from the company's Manhattan office. After phone interview, I traveled to Manhattan and had in-person interviews with the business process coordinator, the president of the branch, and the sales manager.
Were you assigned any special projects? If so please describe.
I was specifically assigned by my mentor, two industries to cold call: restaurants and small private equity firms. I researched companies before I called and cold called these companies trying to set-up meetings to introduce Gallagher.
What were the supplemental benefits besides the pay? (Internship Lunches, Housing, Sports Games, Happy Hours, etc.)
Lunch and learns, company events, paid for half of my housing, Thursday happy hours, basketball on Tuesdays with guys from the office.
Describe the company's internship program(atmosphere, work load, work, housing, outside work activities, etc.).
Many of the company's employees are former interns, so the atmosphere is very welcoming to college students. There was not much formal training of insurance or risk management concepts (a recommendation I made). Work load was consistent and we didn't have much down time.
Was the internship what you expected after the interviewing/hiring process?
Yes
Were you provided time off besides the weekend?
No. I think we were allowed to take time off if we gave two weeks notice, but I never took any time off.
If you had to relocate, describe the process of adapting to a new city.
I would like to work in New York City, but the process of adapting to such an expensive city is overwhelming. Especially since I would like to assume a sales position, it scares me to think that I don't really know anyone and am expected to monetize my relationships with insurance sales.