Make a Career Out of Better Decisions

Bhavisha

Why did you join Aon’s graduate programme?

After leaving university, I knew that I wanted to immerse myself in a role where not only the project work would be very varied, but also where I could meet and work with a mix of different people. As a member of the A&A team, I have been able to gain exposure to projects in a range of areas, and have been able to understand how the work we do relates to and supports the wider business areas. I think that this experience is unique to Aon, and has allowed me to develop both my technical and soft skills.

What did you enjoy most about the Aon graduate programme?

Although this may sound like a cliché, the thing that I have enjoyed the most has to be the people that I have met! Everyone on the team is very friendly and happy to help answer any questions or offer any support. This has been paramount given the steep learning curve that I faced after leaving university and joining Aon. Additionally, being part of such a large programme has allowed me to build friendships with graduates from other streams and parts of the business

How you would describe the culture at Aon?

Everyone that I have met at Aon, within the A&A team and graduate programme has been very kind and supportive. My experience of the culture at Aon has been that is centred around a collaborative and uplifting workplace. There are lots of opportunities to get involved, gain knowledge and develop new skills.

What’s next for you?

I am currently working towards my actuarial qualification, and preparing for my upcoming exams. I’m interested in finding new links between theoretical knowledge from the qualification and the technical skills used in day-to-day project work. I am also looking forward to engaging more with the Aon networks and learning more about the work that they are doing.

Georgina

Why did you join the graduate programme?

I desired a career where I could use the mathematical and analytical skills I developed at university and continue learning through professional exams. Aon stood out to me because of their great study policies, support throughout the application process and the inclusive, welcoming nature of the company. I completed a summer internship where I had the opportunity to perform calculations, learn about the pensions industry and the solutions that Aon bring to clients. Everyone was so friendly and I felt like a valued member of the team. When I was offered a graduate position, there was no hesitation accepting.

What did you enjoy most about the programme?

I really enjoyed the training where I met graduates from different offices and streams. Everyone was friendly, and I enjoyed the opportunity to find out about different business areas within Aon. The training covered key skills such as presenting, teamwork and an introduction to actuarial techniques which helped me feel prepared when joining the office. Throughout the graduate programme I enjoyed the chance to meet up with the actuarial graduates at training days which gave us further insight into the role of an actuary. We were also able to catch up on work we had been doing in our offices.

What training and development opportunities have you had?

Within my first few months at Aon I had the opportunity to join one of the specialist teams where I now manage projects, communicate with external firms and have the chance to attend meetings with clients. In my first year I also helped organise two of Aon’s pension conferences where I was able to network and facilitate discussions with industry experts and prospects. It was an amazing experience to listen to senior colleagues discuss topical issues in the pensions industry. I have had many great opportunities at Aon to develop and progress my career, enabling me to be promoted after 18 months.

What’s next for you?

I will continue to study towards becoming a qualified actuary and expand my technical knowledge to understand the advice and solutions Aon can provide to clients. I look forward to further developing in my role by taking on more responsibility managing workloads and projects within my teams. In addition, I plan to continue assisting with the development of new graduates as they start their career at Aon. I would like to provide new team members with the same excellent support I received when joining Aon, with both their day-to-day work and study.

Sunneth

What did you/do you enjoy most about the programme?

I have enjoyed the learning experience on the graduate program. Most people at Aon are willing to take time out of their day to sit down and explain concepts to you and aid your development regardless of seniority. The rotational aspect of the program has been great, as it has allowed me to see different parts of the business while I figure out where I would like to end up. Additionally, there are many events organised for the graduates especially when we first started which is great for us to get to know each other in a more social setting.

What advice would you give future graduates applying for the programme?

I would advise future graduates to network as much as possible when they join, and to meet people from outside of their practice area. I think it is important to take advantage of events and socials taking place outside work. I am a member of the multicultural network as well as the Aon and Lloyd’s netball team, which has enabled me to meet a wide variety of people within the insurance industry. I would emphasise that as a graduate, no one is expecting perfection from you or for you to know everything but, the most important quality is willingness to learn and work hard.

Why did you join Aon’s graduate programme?

I participated in an event called “BAME Future Leaders” which covered opportunities at Aon within the insurance and reinsurance space. We learnt a lot about the sector over the two days which sparked an interest in me to apply for a full-time graduate position. Coming from a biochemistry background, I wasn’t sure if I would be disadvantaged in the application process, or if I would have the right skill set for the role however, I was quickly reassured that Aon values employees from all disciplines and are invested in developing each new starter. I wanted a role that would be intellectually stimulating, and as one of the biggest brokers in the world, I have had the opportunity to work on the more complex problems in the industry, with big global clients. No two days at Aon have been the same, and I have been given the opportunity to stretch myself and be challenged.

What’s next for you at Aon?

I will shortly be moving on to my final rotation on the graduate program, before being placed in my permeant role. I plan to finish my ACII qualification and to continue to learn more about the industry, developing my skills as a broker. As I gain more experience, I look forward to taking on more responsibility and having more client interaction.

Tania

What is your role and how long have you been at Aon?

I joined Aon’s graduate scheme a few months ago, working within Aon’s M&A and Transaction Solutions (AMATS) team. The graduate scheme consists of three sixth month rotations and my current rotation is in the Risk and Insurance Due Diligence team, which sits within AMATS.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

I graduated from King’s College London in July and had a great three years there, despite the pandemic! Outside of work, I enjoy baking, going for walks and spending time with friends!

What inspired you to apply for this role/this company?

I was inspired to apply to Aon for a variety of reasons, but particularly because of everything that Aon does for inclusion and diversity. For example, all the fantastic Business Resource Groups (BRGs) that Aon has, which all support very important areas, including the Multicultural Network (MCN) and the Social Mobility Ally Group, which I have now joined myself as an employee. As well as this, I resonate with all of Aon’s values of being committed, united and passionate.

What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?

In my job so far, the single most important thing I have learnt is how important collaboration and effective communication with other colleagues is, which is a lot easier to do when working in the office. This makes it so much easier to share ideas, receive advice, ask for help and learn from others, especially as a new graduate.

What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?

I would say that a ‘normal’ day for someone in my role would start off with checking emails, and then consist of attending any team/project meetings, working on completing project reports and liaising with other colleagues in relation to this. Within the AMATS team, we complete specialist due diligence reports on behalf of our clients on companies that they may be looking to acquire or sell, for example. These reports evaluate past, current, and future exposures which may impact the transaction. When completing these reports, we also liaise with other colleagues in different teams to gather more specific information, including Human Capital Solutions, Financial Lines, Warranty & Indemnity and Tax, Cyber, and Intellectual Property, which all sit within AMATS.

What do you find most interesting with the sector/industry you’re in?

With the industry I’m in, I find it quite interesting how there is so much diversity in terms of the work you can do, from broking and underwriting to advisory. This just shows how vast the industry is and how there are plenty of options available to explore!

What is the company culture like?

The company culture at Aon is amazing! Before I even joined Aon, I could tell just how important wellbeing, mental health and inclusion and diversity are within the company. At Aon, we have a hybrid working environment, which is flexible for everyone’s needs. As well as this, we have two ‘Global Wellbeing Days’ a year, which are company holidays used to support our mental health and wellbeing. Everyone here is super friendly and always happy to help! As mentioned before, there are many BRGs to get involved with, depending on your interests.

How important is diversity to you and what is Aon doing in this space at the moment?

Coming from a BAME background myself, diversity is extremely important to me. To support diversity within the workplace, Aon has a range of BRGs, including: the Multicultural Network, Mental Health Network, Linking Generations, Gender IQ, the Workability group, Social Mobility BRG, the Pride Alliance and Parents & Carers. Aon has also been a proud partner of the ‘Dive In festival’ since 2015, which celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion in the insurance sector through various events.

Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Aon?

For anyone who would like to apply for a role at Aon, my top tips would be to show curiosity, passion, and confidence throughout the application process, particularly in the video interviews and the assessment centre. It would also be good to do some research on Aon and the industry to gain an understanding of it, as well as commercial awareness. Aon’s Early Careers team run some brilliant programmes, such as Diverse Future Leaders, which I would definitely recommend applying to. These programmes will also give you the opportunity to network with current graduates and employees, which is a great way to gain a first-hand insight into what it is like to work at Aon.

Ibrahim

What is your role and how long have you been at Aon?

I joined Aon as an Actuarial Graduate in September 2021.

What inspired you to apply for this role/this company?

I very briefly covered actuarial work in my final year at university and I was interested in it even though I didn’t know much about it! I did some research and Aon stood out due to the emphasis on inclusion and diversity. Aon also offers many opportunities which stood out.

What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?

Time management – balancing work and studying.

What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?

Hard to define! There’s a lot that happens and my days can be very different each week. Usually, I will have ongoing projects which I’m working on as well as meetings to catch up with various client teams.

What do you find most interesting with the sector/industry you’re in?

The constant changing environment of pension schemes makes working on them very interesting. I like that articles in the news have a direct impact on the work we’re doing.

What is the company culture like?

Very inclusive and supportive. Everyone is more than willing to come together and help solve any problems as a team and overall, a great environment to work in.

Ben

What inspired you to apply for this role/this company?

Client Management seemed the perfect fit as I could gain exposure to clients and client meetings as well as actuarial & investment work.

What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?

People management and organisation. I work on around six client teams and each has their own needs and demands. In my role,I need to be comfortable enough to go into a meeting with clients and understand what projects are on the go and in what capacity Aon is involved. This means that I need to be able to talk to a range of people about timelines & documents and seek advice, so that everything is delivered on time and to Aon’s high standards.

What are the benefits of being based in your location?

The best thing about the Epsom office is its size. It’s just big enough that there is always some chatter around the office, but not so big that you feel a bit separated. Also,the location of Epsom is ideal if you want to work in London, which I do once a week. Going into London gives me perspective on how large the company is and allows me to meet colleagues on other client teams.

What is your office environment like?

Everyone in the office is extremely personable and happy to have a chat and sit next to you.

What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?

It’s hard to say as no two days arereally the same. Nevertheless, every day I normally check on the status of ongoing projects, prepare for quarterly meetings and check-in with my colleagues.

How important is diversity to you and what is Aon doing in this space at the moment?

Diversity is crucial to me and it’s refreshing to see Aon take so much pride in wanting to hire a diverse workforce.

Any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Aon?

Get involved with things outside of your comfort zone; demonstrate that you’re willing to take risks and try something different.

Joshua

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

I’m from Reading and I would say that I’m an extrovert and good with numbers.

What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?

Communication with those you are working with is key.

What are the benefits of being based in your location?

The office in Farnborough is smaller than at other locations which is definitely a benefit. People here know each other really well, and I get to work with colleagues across a wider range of levels.

Any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Aon?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no one knows what they are doing when they first start!

Isaac

What is your role and how long have you been at Aon?

I work within the Accident & Health team offering essential support to the brokers. I joined Aon in September 2021.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

I studied Business and Law at College.

What inspired you to apply for this role/this company?

I wanted to work for a big company and after lots of research, found that Aon offered more opportunities than others in the market.

What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?

I think for me learning to believe in myself has been important as coming into a sector which I had no real knowledge of was daunting. However, this feeling is perfectly normal and my colleagues have been supportive and have helped me to learn.

What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?

I do lots of different things each day, for example I set up new clients, create contracts, invoice policies and attend team meetings.

What do you find most interesting with the sector/industry you’re in?

Before joining Aon, I didn’t realise how large the insurance sector is and how much variety there is! My team works on sport and non-sport which is really interesting as we can range from insuring a footballer from a career ending injury to insuring large scale businesses for medical expenses or travel.

Any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Aon?

Research the company and the different early career opportunities. Learning more will be beneficial to you.

Josh

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

I’m from Reading and I would say that I’m an extrovert and good with numbers.

What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?

Communication with those you are working with is key.

What are the benefits of being based in your location?

The office in Farnborough is smaller than at other locations which is definitely a benefit. People here know each other really well, and I get to work with colleagues across a wider range of levels.

Any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Aon?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no one knows what they are doing when they first start!

Sandy

What is your role and how long have you been at Aon?

I joined Aon in September 2021 on the Insurance Apprenticeship Programme. My role is to support the brokers and account executives, and typically involves producing documentation, liaising with our offshore team, producing invoices and managing payments.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

I began studying Politics and International Relations at university but struggled to engage with the style of learning and didn’t have much of a plan of how it would lead to a career. I dropped out after 6 months and began researching apprenticeships, which I’d heard about during Sixth Form. I discovered Aon’s Apprenticeship Programme on the UCAS website and now can’t imagine doing anything else!

What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?

My role at Aon is my first experience in a workplace and I’ve definitely learnt a lot about myself since working here. I’ve felt as though I’ve been given the space to grow and am constantly picking up new ways of doing things.

The most important thing I’ve learnt is to not be afraid of not knowing something. Being honest about finding something challenging or not understanding a task has brought me closer to my colleagues and helped me learn and progress more than if I didn’t speak up. I’ve been made to feel comfortable enough to do this and my colleagues have always taken the time to answer any questions I’ve had.

What do you find most interesting with the sector/industry you’re in?

Many of the client accounts I’ve worked on are the largest in the industry. I always find it interesting when I hear their names mentioned on the news knowing that I’ve contributed to the placing of their insurance! I love working in such a niche and complex class of business – every account is different and there’s always something new to learn.

What is the company culture like?

I am based in the Chelmsford office but I‘m also able to work from the London office too, as many of my colleagues are based there. I’ve found the culture at Aon to be perfectly balanced – my colleagues are hardworking and focused, but extremely helpful and friendly.