MEET Basil Al Hatoum
Actuarial Analyst
(former Retirement Graduate)
Team Retirement
Segment Human Capital and Benefits
Location Toronto, Canada
Experience level Graduate
University University of Western Ontario, Bachelor’s degree, major in Actuarial Science
Personal interests
Playing sports, cooking and reading. I was in the Canadian Navy, so I learned a lot about sailing.
Please tell us about your current role
I am a member of multiple client teams. As the most junior person on the team, I am generally responsible for preparing data, doing benefit calculations for our clients, setting up processes in our programs that reflect the plan we are working with, preparing deliverables for clients, and much more.
What was your greatest challenge or learning in this role?
The key challenge for me, especially at the beginning, was learning about all the different pension plans that clients set up for their employees. They are all unique either in their plan benefit formulas or their assumptions, or in the benefits they offer. While the basic idea of a pension plan is simple, clients’ needs vary greatly and their plans will reflect that.
What is your proudest achievement since joining Willis Towers Watson?
Definitely my first in-person client meeting. I was given the opportunity to deliver a portion of the presentation that we had prepared. The senior consultants on my team had faith in me, and that gave me the confidence I needed to deliver calmly under pressure.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
People who like to work hard and are self-motivated will do very well at Willis Towers Watson. If you put your hand up and ask for interesting new projects, you will get them! The more you put into your work, the more opportunities you’ll have to lead new projects or work on things that interest you. People here are very supportive and like to have fun as well. I’ve had the opportunity to play sports in many corporate leagues with my coworkers, not just from Retirement but from the entire Toronto office.
What do you like best about working at Willis Towers Watson?
Definitely the people. My colleagues are supportive of my work and have become great friends as well. We regularly go out for lunch, play sports outside of work, and we genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Also, the business casual dress code of ‘dress for your day’ is amazing!
What is your hope for your career in the future?
I would like to continue to grow within our company. I don’t think of progress as a role or a title, I’d like to get to a point where I’m using my experience to simplify problems for my clients. I’d like to solve real world problems.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering employment with Willis Towers Watson?
Obviously the technical skills are very important, but what recruiters are looking for are great people they can connect with. Having a meaningful conversation with a recruiter where you can demonstrate your people skills is a great first step.
MEET Hee Jung Kim
Health and Benefits analyst
(currently on rotational Graduate Development Program)
Team Property & Casualty
Segment Corporate Risk and Broking
Location Toronto, Canada
Experience level Graduate
University Sungkyunkwan University, M.Sc. in Statistics; University of Waterloo, Masters in Actuarial Science (M.Act.Sc)
Personal interests
Exploring the city of Toronto, discovering new favorite restaurants, reading a good book and listening to music, mentoring others.
Why did you pursue a graduate position with Willis Towers Watson?
I was seeking a position that would enable me to fully utilize my actuarial background as well as my outgoing personality. I researched entry-level actuarial consulting positions and was fortunate enough to be granted an interview with Willis Towers Watson.
Please tell us about your placements within the company so far.
I have joined a rotational graduate program. I am currently in my second rotation in the Corporate Risk and Broking Segment where I focus on risk management — identifying areas for clients that need risk mitigation and finding the appropriate coverage. I also help to advise clients on mitigation strategies.
Previously I worked in the Human Capital and Benefits Segment where actuarial resources are used to provide clients with fiscal year-end reports, help design and customize their employee benefit plans, and develop cost projections. Our team also helps to engage clients in wellbeing programs and drug plan management to help contain benefit costs.
Can you tell us more about your current role?
I currently work as a member of the Financial Institutions team in the Corporate Risk and Broking Segment, where I assist client managers. My day-to-day work consists of attending internal and external meetings, confirming and reviewing policy documents that insurers have sent, and preparing our own documents (e.g., summaries of insurance, quote proposals) for clients. There is also a large emphasis on documentation, so I help streamline all of the administrative work to better service clients.
What was your greatest challenge or learning opportunity in this role?
Coming from a more mathematical background, going through policies line by line and trying to understand the wordings of these documents required a shift in thought process. The main challenge that I face now is adhering to the deadlines, especially in light of unanticipated events. However, this has taught me how to work under pressure and ensure accuracy in and quality of the work.
What training and development opportunities have you enjoyed as a result of the graduate program?
I have learned not to be shy about asking questions. There have been many times when I found myself in a new situation that I needed help understanding. Many times the solution is as simple as requesting further information from the client or carrier. Aside from asking questions, I’ve also learned a lot from observing my seniors and peers. Once I started feeling more comfortable with the work, I was given plenty of opportunities to increase my involvement and communication with clients and within the team.
What is your proudest achievement since joining Willis Towers Watson?
At only three months into the job, I received recognition and appreciation from my senior manager for the good work I had done for a new large client.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
I see the culture as collaborative, client-centered and goal-driven.
What do you like best about working at Willis Towers Watson?
I am surrounded by people who are not only bright and ambitious, but also kind and supportive. Teamwork is valued, and most people take this commitment seriously; they show appreciation for your input. I find there is always something to learn from those around me, and this creates a positive and productive environment in which to work.
What is your hope for your career in the future?
I would eventually like to move into a role where I can manage and mentor other employees. I have always found mentoring a very rewarding experience (whether it was in academia or personal) and would like to continue these opportunities in my professional career.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering a graduate opportunity at Willis Towers Watson?
Willis Towers Watson is known in the industry for its excellence in service and work quality; thus, we are held to a very high standard. As a new hire this can be daunting, but if you are up for the challenge, there is no better place to learn than here. Ultimately, the most important thing is to have an inquisitive mind and positive attitude — and those around you will guide you on your path to achieving your career goals.
MEET Charlotte Olson
Retirement Analyst
(former Retirement Graduate)
Team Retirement
Segment Human Capital and Benefits
Location London, United Kingdom
Experience level Graduate
University University of Bath, Mathematical Sciences
Why did you pursue a graduate position with Willis Towers Watson?
I completed an internship with Willis Towers Watson in 2016. I very much enjoyed the work I was doing and liked the people with whom I was working. I liked the culture of the company and felt the values fit with my own. I also wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to further build upon the mathematical skills I gained throughout my education. So when I was offered a graduate position, I was only too happy to take it and return to Willis Towers Watson.
Please tell us about your placements within the company so far.
I had a one month rotation at the Lisbon Service Centre, where I learned a lot about valuation work. It was useful to see how all the calculations are done, and thus get a better understanding of how the whole process works. I was able to help with a number of different stages of the process, and everyone was keen to get me involved with the work.
And your current role?
I am currently an analyst in the Retirement group, where I have been able to take on a number of responsibilities. What I do day-to-day varies quite a bit, but I tend to have a good supply of individual calculations to work on, for which I organize the log and delegate to people on my client teams. There are a range of things to get involved with: factor reviews, pension increase exchanges/retirement transfer options, accounting and valuations. Every pension scheme must undergo a formal valuation every three years, and these tend to take around 15 months, so there will always be a client with a valuation going on!
What training and development opportunities have you enjoyed as a result of the graduate program?
There are a lot of technical skills needed for my role, and the company has provided the necessary training to help me strengthen my knowledge base. I have also improved my time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
The culture is very inclusive. Everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with has been very friendly and welcoming.
What do you like best about working at Willis Towers Watson?
The people! Everyone is very willing to get you involved and answer any questions you may have.
What is your hope for your career in the future?
I hope to qualify as an actuary in a few years, and would like to continue doing this type of work. I think the industry will change a fair amount over the next few years. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.
MEET Moona Lv
Analyst
(former Talent Management Graduate)
Team Talent Management and Organizational Alignment
Segment Human Capital and Benefits
Location Shanghai, China
Experience level Graduate
University Beijing Normal University, Master of Applied Psychology, Bachelor of Management
Personal interests
Travel — from San Diego, California, to Guangzhou and Suzhou in China. Breathing fresh air and sunshine to energize.
Why did you pursue a graduate position with Willis Towers Watson?
As my career aspiration is to be a management consultant, I chose Willis Towers Watson because it has a respected brand reputation and is a time-honored professional consulting company.
Please tell us about your placements within the company so far
I joined Willis Towers Watson as a summer intern in the Talent line of business in Beijing in June of 2017. The Talent practice focuses on providing solutions to our clients’ organizational and talent needs. I helped in several areas including structuring organizational hierarchies, building up career maps, linking compensation with performance, building competency models and talent review.
And your current role?
My current role as a human capital analyst gives me the opportunity to help with research, interview transcription, data cleaning, insight summaries and report preparation. The work enables me to have a deep and real understanding of our customers’ businesses. I’ve learned a lot about management consulting work in this role.
What training and development opportunities have you enjoyed while at Willis Towers Watson?
During my summer internship, I enjoyed a series of training programs that provided me with the skills necessary to become a qualified junior consultant. In our first week, our orientation helped us to understand Willis Towers Watson’s business scope, past and present. The entire program plan was laid out for us, along with tips on how to be a successful intern. In addition to routine project work, we had group tasks, weekly training, marketing activities, performance reviews, and skills and personality tests.
Through weekly training and sharing activities, we were exposed to the work of each practice and learned practical skills for project management that helped us complete the work more efficiently. At the end of August, the people manager of each intern conducted a one-on-one performance review, discussing positive performance and areas of improvement, with helpful suggestions for moving ahead. This conversation not only helped me gain clarity about my future direction with the company, but also made me feel that Willis Towers Watson is a company that values its people.
After my onboarding, I participated in a New Hire Boot Camp in Beijing. This three-day training provided a strong business overview and ways to improve relevant skills, which helped me understand my work on a deeper level.
What is your proudest achievement since joining Willis Towers Watson?
I independently completed a research study about the reform of state-owned enterprises in China. My research was recognized, which made me feel very fulfilled, and I learned a lot.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
Willis Towers Watson consultants are a vibrant group that lives life well. We order take-out together, share life stories and talk about current events. My colleagues share stories of travel and adventure.
What do you like best about working at Willis Towers Watson?
At Willis Towers Watson you don’t have to worry about hierarchies; our colleagues always greet one another in a polite friendly tone, no matter their career level. They are appreciative, say thank you and smile when they ask you to do something. For delivery tasks, consultants will express their appreciation of the work while pointing out areas for improvement objectively, which leads to better output the next time.
What is your hope for your career in the future?
My personal career plan is to become a management consultant that delivers valuable solutions to our clients while developing myself and others effectively.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering a graduate opportunity at Willis Towers Watson?
Never be afraid of something new. Having the courage to face challenges and try, and the determination and motivation to get it done are more important than anything else. When I find the next day’s task is an unknown project, I feel full of expectation for the challenge and another opportunity to improve myself. Just stay hungry. Ask more, think more and practice more.
MEET Anshul Garg
Risk analyst
(former Investment, Risk and Reinsurance Graduate)
Team Insurance Consulting and Technology Life Insurance
Segment Investment, Risk and Reinsurance
Location Gurugram, India
Experience level Apprentice
University University of Delhi, Bachelor in Commerce (honors)
Personal interests
Reading and playing badminton.
Why did you pursue a graduate position with Willis Towers Watson?
As one of the leading and most sought after companies for actuaries, Willis Towers Watson enjoys goodwill in the market. The highly positive reviews of people who work, or have worked, here was the most compelling factor for me in deciding to start my actuarial career here.
Please tell us about your placements within the company so far
I have primarily been involved in life insurance consulting projects, with a bit of exposure in non-life insurance consulting as well. For life insurance consulting, I’ve worked extensively on valuation and regulatory reporting as well as various other aspects of life actuarial work. For non-life insurance consulting, I’ve worked on competitor benchmarking for an overseas insurer.
And your current role?
In my current role as an analyst, my primary responsibility is producing quality work within a defined timeline for various projects. In one year’s time, the scope of my responsibilities has expanded, and now I also get to review the work of my peers.
What was your greatest challenge or learning opportunity in this role?
The main challenge that I face is adhering to deadlines, especially in light of unanticipated events. However, this has taught me how to work under pressure and ensure accurate, high-quality output.
What training and development opportunities have you enjoyed as a result of the graduate program?
The graduate program has been a great stepping stone for my career. As part of my graduate onboarding, I was provided with extensive training sessions and workshops, which helped me build industry knowledge, gain practical insights and learn various software used in the industry.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
The culture at Willis Towers Watson is unmatched. Everyone works as a team here and is always willing to lend a helping hand. People are hardworking and passionate about what they do, which is conducive to a great work environment. There is also a focus on training and development; everyone has numerous opportunities to learn more and progress in their careers.
What do you like best about working at Willis Towers Watson?
The best thing about working here has got to be the people. The people who work here tend to possess great knowledge and also great humility at the same time. If you need someone’s help, they often take the time to assist you even if they’re loaded with their own work. Everyone loves what they do and is really ambitious, which serves as a source of motivation — especially when you’re just starting out in your career.
What is your hope for your career in the future?
I aspire to become an actuary. I would like to learn and grow, and become a seasoned professional, excelling in my field of interest, which is insurance.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering employment with Willis Towers Watson?
Research the company well and make sure it’s the right fit for your ambition and career path. If it is, then give it your best shot by preparing well in advance and progressing a bit every day, instead of leaving it all to the last minute.