Model Development & Analytics Intern at Canada Life
1. Where in the world do you work?
I work in Ontario, Canada.
2. Prior to the pandemic, did you work primarily in an office or from home? What about now?
Pre-pandemic, I worked in an office. The company is currently operating under WFH conditions but we will be transitioning to a hybrid system (in office & WFH) starting later this fall.
3. Do you travel for work? If so, how much and to where?
I don’t travel for work.
4. What type of company do you work for? (Ie. Traditional Insurance, Consulting Firm, Government, etc.) Name of company?
Traditional Life Insurance – Canada Life
5. What do you like about this work environment?
So far, I only have experience interning at this company, but I’m scheduled to start full-time as of September. With that said, as an intern, I loved that I was never treated as ‘just an intern’ to do the work no one wanted to do. Although I was possibly the least experienced on the team, I was constantly learning new things from not just my leaders but also other members on my team. It was a very collaborative work environment.
6. Culture of company/country – What type of vacation benefits do you get?
As an entry-level actuarial analyst, I will receive 15 days of paid vacation and 2 paid personal days.
7. How flexible is your company about when/how you get work done?
The company is pretty flexible but there are definitely deadlines that must be adhered to unless there is a specific reason as to why the project will be delayed. Luckily enough, because the teams are so collaborative, you’ll often be able to gain assistance from other members if they are available.
8. Are there set “business hours” you’re expected to be working and available?
Based on my knowledge, you are expected to work a total of 7.5 hours a day typically starting anytime around 7-9:30am.
9. Do you often work more than 40 hours per work? Is there pressure from leadership or peers to do so?
I’ve never had to work overtime personally. Even when we were close to deadlines and it’s tempting to stay later in order to meet these deadlines, I was never pressured to stay beyond my hours.
10. Do you hang out with coworkers outside of work?
I definitely made friends at work with whom I spent time with outside of work whether it was to study or go to parties. Especially because I was in a small city far away from my hometown, it was important for me to be able to meet people that I could bond with outside of work.
11. What aspects of working for your company and in your geographic location do you love?
Being able to move to a new city has actually heightened the experience of working for this company as I was in a completely new environment & there were many things to explore. I also love that my company hosts events to encourage you to meet others!
12. If you could work anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
I would love the opportunity to work in either Ireland or Switzerland!