A little bit about Olivia
I recently graduated from Newcastle University in July with a degree in Marketing and Management. As I began exploring my next steps, I wanted to gain hands-on experience in a professional office environment, while also learning more about the insurance industry – something I had very little prior knowledge of.
I joined McClarrons for a five-week work experience placement to broaden my understanding of the sector and see where my skills could fit in a real-world setting.
Working at McClarrons
Coming into McClarrons with limited knowledge of the insurance world, I didn’t really know what to expect. However, from my very first day, I was warmly welcomed by the team and quickly made to feel part of the business.
Throughout my placement, I had the opportunity to work with various departments, attend meetings, and contribute to ongoing tasks and projects. This approach helped me gain a strong understanding of how the company operates and how each department plays a role in delivering excellent client service.
Activities undertaken at McClarrons
My time at McClarrons was incredibly varied, which gave me a well-rounded insight into the different areas of the business. I spent time with the Marketing, Operations, Compliance and Broking teams, gaining an appreciation for the collaboration that underpins McClarrons’ success.
Each Thursday, I joined the Claims Team and attended their weekly Claims meetings. Through this, I developed an understanding of how claims are handled, the types of issues clients face, and how McClarrons supports them throughout the process.
I also had the opportunity to work with team members in both the Commercial and Care departments, gaining valuable insight into the different types of clients McClarrons works with and how the team tailors their approach depending on client needs.
Some of the key tasks I took part in included:
- Supporting the Marketing team by designing collateral using Canva.
- Assisting the Compliance team with data cleansing and consolidation for file check working papers.
- Creating Excel spreadsheets to log dinghy models to input into the build of a new webpage for McClarrons’ appointed representative, Soak Insure.
- Obtaining and consolidating data to support the build of a new product for McClarrons’ Social Farms & Gardens member clients .
- Sourcing data through numerous softwares to pull together a database for marketing campaigns
- Helping with the daily post run.
I also had the chance to visit the Hull office, which was a great way to experience the business in another setting and see how both offices work together.
Key learnings and takeaways
Over the past month, I have learned a huge amount – not just about insurance, but also about working in a professional environment more generally. I now have a solid understanding of key insurance terminology, broking processes, and the importance of attention to detail and reliability when supporting both clients and colleagues.
This experience has also given me a clearer picture of the different career paths available within the insurance industry and highlighted the breadth of roles that exist across departments.
Final thoughts from me
My time at McClarrons has been both insightful and enjoyable. I am incredibly grateful to everyone for being so friendly, helpful, and supportive during my time here. The inclusive culture and positive working environment made it easy to ask questions and learn on the job.
This experience has not only improved my understanding of the insurance industry, but it’s also helped me develop key skills that I’ll take forward in my future career.
I would highly recommend McClarrons to anyone looking for valuable work experience in a supportive and welcoming environment.
If you would like to gain work experience at McClarrons, you can reach out to us at recruitment@mcclarroninsurance.com. For those looking for a more permanent role, you can explore our current vacancies here.
