Five months in and the time came for me to start putting in the groundwork for my next placement. 

I wanted it to be in the Lloyd’s market, hopefully working on one of the underwriting boxes.

While HR offered me some choices of placements, Paul Nunn – my mentor – took me under his wing and provided some much needed career advice, advising me to explore my options as well as my interests.

To start that process, I talked to someone who works for a syndicate in the market.

After that initial meeting, we set up introductions to the syndicate team to get a better idea of whether I’d fit in and to find out what exactly I’d be doing.

I was then invited to meet the rest of the team at their offices, which at first felt like an interview. But as soon as the conversation started I felt much more comfortable. I found out a lot more about the people I’ll be working with; and it was also an opportunity to talk myself up a bit.

It all went well and I’ve since heard I‘ll be working a lot on the modelling side (not the catwalk type, but the risk modelling kind), and getting to see the whole underwriting process from start to finish.

My mentor is now helping me get a head start by giving me training on a few modelling applications. I want to really hit the ground running when I start.

This is all looking good: the kind of panoramic view of placing risks at Lloyd’s will enhance my marketability once the graduate scheme ends.

So, with my placement sorted (more or less), it was time to sit back, relax and … wait … No! I’d an exam to prepare for. The pressure was mounting!

Most people who work in the Lloyd’s market have to do the Lloyd’s and London Market Introductory Test. It’s a relatively straightforward test on all things Lloyd’s and London Market related. Results just came in the other day, and to my relief I passed… if I’d failed I wouldn’t have shown my face in Lloyd’s again!