A little bit about Amy:
I completed my A-levels in Germany in the summer of 2024 and have secured a place to study Media and Journalism in Hamburg starting in October. Wanting to gain work experience in an office-based environment before starting university, I saw McClarrons as a great opportunity as I had little prior knowledge of the insurance field. This six-week placement proved to be the perfect chance to learn more about business and office etiquette while also gaining insight into the UK’s insurance industry.
Working at McClarrons:
When I arrived for my first day of work experience at McClarrons, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My friends who had done other internships had told me about their tasks—making copies and doing coffee runs—but I quickly realised my experience here would be very different. Each day was filled with a variety of tasks, lessons, and meetings that kept things engaging. Throughout my time at McClarrons, the team encouraged me to work independently while always making it clear that I could ask questions and seek help whenever needed.
Activities undertaken:
During my internship, I learned to use a range of digital platforms, including Excel, Acturis, Sage HR, and Canva, while also improving my general IT skills through Acturis training, the KnowBe4 Cyber Security Awareness Programme, and other product-specific internal training sessions. My main tasks at McClarrons included handling the daily post run, assisting with product governance and product naming processes, and creating weekly posts for the company’s internal communications newsletter. I was also involved in working on website pages, merging property documents, relocating clients on Excel, creating subtitles for the company’s YouTube videos, managing enquiry emails, and helping organise social committee events.
I was lucky to join at an especially exciting time, as McClarrons was moving offices. This gave me insight into the operational challenges of relocating an entire company, and allowed me to attend on-site project management meetings and assist with selecting some of the furnishings and transportation.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with the heads of each department, gaining a deeper understanding of the company’s structure, each department’s role, and McClarrons’ core values and work ethic. I was also invited to various internal and external meetings, including briefings with the Claims, Marketing, Operations, and Affinity teams, a Commercial Team training event, and a client visit with the Farm Team.
One of the most valuable experiences was spending a couple of days each week with the in-house Claims Team. Here, I shadowed some of the Claims Advisors to observe the often stressful but fascinating process of liaising with insurance companies. I saw first-hand the importance of providing clear guidance and supporting clients through situations that range from inconvenient to devastating. This experience gave me a real appreciation for the social aspect of the job.
Key Learnings and Takeaways
Over the past six weeks, I have gained valuable skills that will be useful in any office-based job, from IT proficiency to an understanding of marketing techniques. More than that, I have realised that the insurance industry is far broader than I expected and have become familiar with key terminology and processes within insurance broking.
This experience has emphasised the importance of reliability, particularly in timekeeping and task management, as well as the level of communication and collaboration needed for a business to function effectively. My work experience here has also helped build my confidence for future roles, as I now have a better understanding of office etiquette and the purpose of different roles and meetings within a company.
Final Thoughts
My six weeks of work experience at McClarrons have been incredibly enjoyable. I had the opportunity to experience a professional work environment for the first time, take on a variety of tasks, sit in on different meetings, and meet people whose welcoming nature made the experience even more rewarding. Even as someone new to the company, I felt valued and heard—something I’m truly grateful for. I would highly recommend work experience at McClarrons to anyone in my position, as they will receive an experience tailored to their interests while gaining technical and communication skills for life.
If you’re keen to gain work experience at McClarrons—whether to learn more about the insurance industry or build your office skills—reach out to us at recruitment@mcclarroninsurance.com. For those looking for a more permanent role, you can explore our current vacancies here. Also, watch our latest recruitment video here to get a feel for life at McClarrons!
