Melanie Stephenson, Barnett Waddingham LLP

Melanie Stephenson is an actuarial assistant at Barnett Waddingham LLP in her first year on the job. She has a BSc in mathematical sciences from Nottingham University.

Why did you want to be an actuary?

Becoming an actuary appealed to me because I wanted to do numerical work within a business environment. My employer is a medium-sized independent firm of actuaries and consultants that specialises in pensions but also offers insurance and investment services. They were welcoming at interview and I immediately knew I wanted to work for them.

Tell us about the job of an actuarial assistant

I work on pension schemes for public and private sector clients whose memberships can range from just a handful to tens of thousands of people. I’m part of a team of 15, which includes partners and actuaries at all stages of qualification, but each client is worked on in smaller teams of four or five. I’m currently experiencing different types of work to help me to decide where to specialise later on. I get involved with a wide range of tasks including drafting actuarial reports, setting up calculations, developing investment strategy and attending client meetings. I typically start at 9.00 am and finish before 6.00 pm with no pressure to work longer hours than necessary.

'I’m currently experiencing different types of work to help me to decide where to specialise later on. I feel like I’ve had lots of responsibility and client contact quite early on in my career, which is great.'

What do you like best about your graduate job?

I feel like I’ve had lots of responsibility and client contact quite early on in my career, which is great. My career highlight so far has been completion of the first actuarial valuation in which I was heavily involved. To see it through from start to finish was satisfying.

What's it like to study for the actuarial professional qualification while working?

It is challenging, though, to combine working full time with studying. My most difficult experience to date has been failing an exam, but I was reassured that most qualified actuaries have done this at some point. It’s important to get the balance right between work, study and home life and my study mentor has given me some useful guidance about this. It also helps that the office has a real community feel; we often socialise together and over the next few months I’ve got sporting events and other social activities to look forward to.