Fast track bermuda careers

FASTTRACK

// Careers module

A guide to careers—created

especially for young people in Bermuda

Careers

XL GroupInsuranceReinsurance

It’s our challenge to the young people of Bermuda.It is in your dreams that our island our industry and our future ill ourish.

We’re proud to support this publication as part of XL’s investment in educational initiatives. After all, an investment in education is an investment in the future.

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FAST TRACK / Careers module / 2013-2014

CAREERS

Nicholas Lipinski

Martin Sellar

Peter Scott

Telephone: +44 203 301 8211

Email: [email protected]

Ros Bromwich

Leonie Mercedes, Lucinda Beeman,

Max Walters

Martin Sellar

Telephone: +44 203 301 8207


Henry Barber

Telephone: +44 203 301 8227


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Fast Track Bermuda: ISSN 2050-3989 (Print)

Cover image: ©shutterstock.com

Hello, and welcome to the careers section of Fast Track.

Although the world economy seems to have taken tentative steps in the past year towards a sustainable recovery, there is still a sense of fragility. Unemployment levels are higher in many places than they were a decade ago, and it seems that the young have borne the brunt of the jobs shortage.

There’s no doubt that the economic situation poses challenges as you make your way into the world of work. More than ever before, it’s important to be proactive. Unless you’re very fortunate indeed, or unusually well connected, no job is going to come to you. But what does proactive mean? In this context it means getting yourself out there, applying for jobs, going to careers fairs, building a network. More than that, it means making sure that you have the skills needed for the job you want. Some of these you’ll have already from your education, but others are harder to come by. Think about volunteering and internships; think about what is going to make you stand out from the crowd.

Fast Track aims to provide you with some of the tools you’ll need to do just that. We profile people across a variety of industries, outlining some of the options that perhaps you haven’t considered for your career. There are interviews with young Bermudians who have already enjoyed success working on the Island or further afield. And several companies tell us about what you can do to make yourself desirable in the jobs market, as well as outlining some of the programmes that they offer for young people.

Finally, we have some tips on how to ace job interviews and how to get on in the workplace, and we look at the various options available for those who wish to volunteer.

We hope there is something in Fast Track for you, and wish you luck with you future career, whatever and wherever it may be.

WWW.FASTTRACKBERMUDA.COM


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Newton Media extends its thanks to the many people who supported and contributed to this edition of Fast Track. We’d like to give special appreciation to the Premier, Craig Cannonier, who has been generous in his support

for the magazine, and contributed an enlightening foreword to the publication. We would also like to thank the Department of Workforce Development.

We were also supported by several schools, foundations and charities. We would like to acknowledge the pupils and staff of The Berkeley Institute, Bermuda College, The Bermuda High School, Mount St. Agnes Academy, Saltus Grammar School, Humber College and Warwick Academy, as well as the Green Family Scholarship and Bermuda Scholarships, and the Bermuda Institute of Seventh-day Adventists. On the charity side, we thank Jennifer Pitcher at The Centre on Philanthropy and Jeffrey Borges at the St John Ambulance Bermuda for their help and support. Staff at the University of Waterloo, the University of Buckingham and the University of Sussex are also due our thanks.

We should also mention and thank the following companies and organisations for their efforts: Canopius, Cox Hallett Wilkinson, Renaissance Re, Partner Re, Butterfi eld Bank, EY, Third point Re, FIL Limited, ABIR, BFIS, Ace, KPMG, Appleby, BCB, Bacardi, XL and Arch.

The support from everyone in Bermuda has been overwhelming and will ensure that young Bermudians will have their eyes opened to the opportunities in front of them. Thank you.


A message from Hon. Craig Cannonier, JP, MP, the Premier of Bermuda.

Brittany De Frias joined Arch Insurance after a dedicated and tenacious search for an entry into the industry. She tells Fast Track how she did it.

Kai Musson has studied all over the world, but it was Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited that gave him the platform to return home to work in the law.

Getting your first job out of university can feel like a distant dream, especially when you’re graduating into an economic slump. Fast Track has some tips and tricks to help you see the clear path to employment through the forest of applications and interviews.

Have you ever considered a career in international insurance and reinsurance? Read this, and discover if the sector is right for you, as Amy Shillingford of the ABIR explains.

The Department of Workforce Development is exploring novel ways of stimulating employment on the island, as Fast Track finds out.

Starting a new job can be a challenging experience, but it is also the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Fast Track brings some helpful tips on how to make the most of your first job and ensure you get noticed and rewarded.

Stephanie Lewis always wanted to be an insurance underwriter, but found herself working as a golf pro. But as she tells Fast Track, it’s never too late to chase a dream.

FAST TRACK / Careers module / 2013-2014WWW.FASTTRACKBERMUDA.COM

Undergraduate ScholarshipIn honour of Sir Harry D. Butterfield, this scholarship is valid for up to four years of study abroad at an approved college or university. The award has an annual value of BM $25,000.

Postgraduate ScholarshipIn honour of Sir A. Dudley Spurling, this scholarship is valid for up to four years of study abroad at an approved college or university. The award has an annual value of BM $25,000.

At Butterfield, we are committed to supporting our local community and investing in its future. Our scholarships provide financial assistance to students with proven potential who are pursuing a college or university degree.

All Butterfield scholarship applications will be processed using ONLY the Bermuda Scholarships website. For full details regarding the scholarship requirements, go to www.bermudascholarships.com after 1 December 2013.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS THE LAST FRIDAY IN MARCH.Hardcopy applications will NOT be accepted.

If you require additional information, please contact: Simone Gibbons, AVP Account ManagerTel: 441 299 3821 | E-mail: [email protected]

www.butterfieldgroup.com

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships of Choice

Akeila Richardson and Kevin Minors, the 2013 Butterfield Scholarship Recipients


The PartnerRe Undergraduate Scholarship gives students the opportunity to work in one of PartnerRe’s overseas offi ces before their last year of university. Fast Track interviewed Yannick Dill, the 2011 recipient, about his internship in the fi rm’s Dublin offi ce this summer.

Butterfi eld Scholarships are a great help for Bermudian students. To maximise your chances of winning one, follow these tips from AVP account manager Simone Gibbons.

Volunteering can be a fun way of developing new professional skills, meeting new friends and boosting your wellbeing while helping others. Fast Track takes a look.

If you’re an analytically-minded university graduate looking for a new challenge and opportunities to travel, and you enjoy meeting new people, a career in accounting might be for you. KPMG’s graduate programme offers a streamlined route into the profession. Fast Track spoke to KPMG Bermuda managing director, Stephen Woodward.


FAST TRACK / Careers module / 2013-2014 WWW.FASTTRACKBERMUDA.COM

CAREERS FOREWORD

FAST TRACK / Careers module / 2013-2014WWW.FASTTRACKBERMUDA.COM

CAREERS FOREWORD

Your fascination may lead you to want to understand more about technology, or to become an actuary, a fashion designer, a lawyer, a musician, to teach children, or play professional sports. Whatever it is, understand that finding a career is different from finding a job. A job may be transient, but a career is one that will motivate you to continue along a path of interest. A career will discipline you to reach higher. It will challenge you to dig deeper.

Once you discover your career aspiration and the path that will lead you to it, I encourage you to set goals, to stay focused and ask for help when you need it.

Whether you are preparing for college or are just entering the work force, there will be times when you will find out just how much you want your dreams. Those are the times when your character is built. Remaining focused and determined won’t always be easy. It will require hard work, discipline, determination and perseverance—but it will be well worth it.

Your beginnings may not be clearly defined, but if you keep following your passion, your career will find you.

As your government, we are working hard to ensure that you can fulfil your career aspirations in Bermuda. We need your passion and your talent. You are our hope for tomorrow.

Hon. Craig Cannonier, JP, MP

Premier of Bermuda

On behalf of the government and people of Bermuda, I extend my best wishes to you in your quest to discover your career. It is an introspective journey.

Everyone has aspirations for the things that they would like to be and do. With clearly defined goals, the right tools and opportunities in place, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. It starts with determining what’s important to you—what your values are.

As your Premier, I encourage you to be reflective and learn to understand what makes you tick. Or, ask your family and friends what they think your strengths and skills are.

Finding out what motivates you is half the battle. Once you know what your career aspirations are, set the bar high for yourself.

When I was a young man, I recall, my mother instilled in me a proper work ethic. She made sure I stayed on track and finished my homework when I didn’t want to. She encouraged me to set goals, yes, even lofty goals. She cheered me on when I accomplished them and comforted me when I didn’t, but it was up to me to set those goals.

I was fascinated with people and what motivated them. I always knew that I would have a career that would involve helping people. In university, I majored in psychology to understand human behaviour. I wanted to improve the quality of life for the people that I knew, and even those that I didn’t know. Those fascinations eventually led me down a political career path, which quickly propelled me to the position of Premier of Bermuda.

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. —Dr Martin Luther King Jr

The Honorable Craig Cannonier, Premier of Bermuda, reflects on a life in politics to advise on how to turn your passion into a career.


INSURANCE CAREERS



INSURANCE CAREERS


Brittany De Frias sent her resume to 40 different companies before she landed her summer internship at Arch Insurance. The experience taught the aspiring insurance underwriter a valuable lesson. She told Fast Track,

“Bermuda does have a lot to offer students interested in going into the insurance industry. However, you do have to work for it and put yourself out there.”

De Frias—a former Saltus Grammar School student now working towards a degree in risk management and insurance at St. John’s University in Queens, New York—was drawn to a career in the insurance industry because every day offered new challenges. She said, “I don’t want to be in a job where it’s the same thing every day. Even working at Arch over the summer, every single day was different. My job involved looking at different current events, different lines of business and different companies daily. It was really interesting.”

Knowing that she wanted to be an insurance underwriter but still unsure of the specifi cs, De Frias decided to get some hands-on experience in the industry. She researched companies back home in Bermuda and started emailing her resume to human resources departments all over the Island. “I applied to Arch because I had heard it was a good company,” she said. “I also researched it and it seemed like a place where I could get great exposure to the industry. I emailed the HR department and they emailed me back saying they had a position for me in the property department.” Getting her dream internship was as simple as that, and De Frias jumped at the opportunity.

“I was really eager to work in the property department even though I had never done property before,” she explained. “I didn’t know

Brittany De Frias joined Arch Insurance after a dedicated and tenacious search for an entry into the industry. She tells Fast Track how she did it.



INSURANCE CAREERS

what it involved, but being at able to work at Arch this summer has allowed me to see everything from catastrophe modelling to rating sheets to loss analysis. I’ve really enjoyed it and it has been very benefi cial.”

An internship is an important fi rst step in many career paths, and insurance is one of them. Employers like to see that you have experience and are committed to the industry, but internship programmes can also be useful for helping you narrow down your goals. Her summer at Arch accomplished this for De Frias. She explained: “It really helps if you can get your foot in the door. I still don’t know exactly what line of business I want to go into—I’m debating whether to go into property or directors’ and offi cers’—but having that experience is very important and helps you develop clear goals.”

Just as she had hoped, every day at Arch was different for De Frias. One day she would be running data through the catastrophe modelling system, which calculates how much damage different events such as earthquakes and fi res might cause and tells insurers how much they’ll probably need to pay to their customers, and the next she would be sitting in on an important meeting. She said, “I had the opportunity to attend a client broker meeting, which was great exposure. I was able to see what kinds of questions were asked and what information was given.”

De Frias also got hands-on experience with many of the tasks working underwriters do every day. Her opportunities included fi lling in loss analysis forms and value forms, taking care of quotes and binders and comparing policies. She said, “That was really interesting and allowed me to learn policy wording, which was defi nitely useful.”

A big part of De Frias’s job was watching how natural catastrophes half a world away affected Arch. “I got to evaluate accounts that were exposed to current loss events, like the fl ooding in Europe and the tornado in Oklahoma. I would pull up the accounts in the area and see if we could possibly be affected by them. That was very interesting as well,” she recalled.

One of the most valuable aspects of her internship, De Frias said, was the opportunity to seek advice from seasoned industry professionals at a leading company. “I’ve been able to speak to so many people in the offi ce and get advice about the career path,


including how they got where they are and what they’ve learned through being in the insurance industry for years. They were able to help me in terms of what I should be doing now to get where they are.”

One of her top pieces of advice for young people is “fi nd a mentor”. “It’s very benefi cial to have someone in the industry who can meet with you, even if it’s just for a coffee, and talk about what you plan on doing. They can also give you advice to help you through whatever problems you might be having. That’s really important.”

Another tip is to be willing to take on any experience you can get, even if it isn’t exactly what you want to do. While property wasn’t initially De Frias’s focus, the summer she spent at Arch opened her eyes to the possibilities. Now it’s one of her top choices. “Never turn something down because it’s not exactly what you want to be doing. Be open to everything, because you never know if you might fall in love with something you never planned on doing.”

But most of all, De Frias said, never give up. Landing that fi rst internship often seems so impossible that it’s tempting not even to try. Many people have experiences like hers, where resume after resume is greeted with silence or rejection. But she didn’t let that stop her, and it only took one yes to set her fi rmly on the path to her dream career. She said, “If you haven’t heard from a company just keep on going. Do not let that stop you. You can’t let anything slow you down—you have to keep on going at it.”

Bermuda is a great place to start a rich and rewarding career in insurance. As De Frias’s experience shows, all you need is a little hard work and a lot of tenacity to get where you want to be.

I had the opportunity to attend a client broker meeting, which was great exposure. I was able to see what kinds of questions were asked and what information was given.


CAREERS


Kai Musson is well-travelled, to say the least. A Bermudian born in Canada, by the time he was ready to start his career at Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited in Bermuda he had studied in Hong Kong, Toronto and London. But it

was Bermuda, where he grew up and attended Warwick Academy, which drew him back.

As he explained, “I was born in Canada but lived in Bermuda for the majority of my life. As one who intended to be a civil litigator by that point I knew that I wanted to come home and serve the community at large.”

Now a general civil litigator at CHW, Musson handles all sorts of cases. Also known as a litigator advocate, or trial lawyer, a civil litigator represents parties in trials, hearings, arbitrations and mediations in Magistrates and Supreme courts, and tribunals before courts. While he doesn’t defend accused criminals as the attorneys on Law & Order do, his clients come from all walks of society. He could represent anyone from a landlord in a dispute with a tenant to a patient suing a hospital for medical malpractice.

Musson said, “Every day is completely different, which is one of the things I love about my job. I specialise in most areas of civil law. The

type of work that I am regularly exposed to varies signifi cantly. That’s part of why I enjoy coming in to work—no two days are alike.”

Being a civil litigator is a very challenging—but also a very rewarding—career. For starters, it takes a lot of school and work experience to be a lawyer. Musson hadn’t even considered the possibility until he graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in political science. A stint clerking in Bermuda’s Supreme Court introduced him to the law and he fell in love.

“I had that post for approximately a year,” he said. “My exposure to law in that capacity piqued my interest. It was the fi rst time I had ever had any interest in studying law, but it was these experiences and many discussions with people who were already practising, that gave me the impetus to go ahead and get my law degree.”

Musson studied for his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London in the UK. While completing his education and vocational year in England, he worked during the summer and Christmas breaks at Bermudian law fi rms. He made sure to work both in the private and public sectors, including law fi rms, the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Magistrates Court.

Kai Musson has studied all over the world, but it was Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited that gave him the platform to return home to work in the law.


CAREERS


“Those experiences were very helpful in terms of my development,” he said.

Particularly helpful was Musson’s summer stint with Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited. “I was here for a couple of months,” Musson told Fast Track, “and truly enjoyed the culture of the fi rm and the nature of the work with which I was involved. Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited knew me well from my summer employment and beyond that I had been their primary scholarship winner for two years. They ultimately offered me a pupillage, which I accepted.”

Now that he’s a full associate, Musson’s day-to-day working life is highly varied. Some days he may be in court all day, while others might be spent drafting letters or meeting with clients. Whatever the day might demand from him, Musson knows that the team atmosphere of Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited means that his co-workers will happily help him if he needs to seek advice.

“All the attorneys have an open-door policy,” Musson said. “The ability to seek advice from more senior attorneys is an option which has been readily available to me from my summer employment to the present.

“Also, the quality of the attorneys I’m surrounded with enables me to have comfort in knowing that I can discuss intricate and technical

matters. In a different environment I may not have been able to have access to those resources.”

Being a civil litigator, Musson said, isn’t always about making speeches and dramatic arguments in court. Success is down to almost the opposite, in fact: listening and writing, which are both important communication skills also.

“Writing—or, more specifi cally, drafting—and listening are very important. Being able to fully appreciate exactly what one’s instructions are is a fundamental skill which one needs to have in order to fully represent someone.”

Being a civil litigator is about listening to your client—their side of the story and what they need you to win for them—and doing the same with the opposition. Then you must create a logical argument to further your client’s cause, most of which is put down in writing. This involves listening closely to what everyone involved has to say, and thinking analytically about how it can help or hurt your case.

Musson explained, “Being critically analytical is vital. Not just for the purpose of drafting, but also to properly analyse pleadings or evidence and documents of that nature. One should attempt to keep an open mind. There are times when I see certain parts of the matter and reach a preliminary conclusion, but being able to be fl exible enough to consider the greater case as the matter develops, is very important. Your view often changes and the strategic approach you can take also changes. Being fl exible is important in terms of ensuring that your client reaps the benefi ts and receives the fi nal resolution that he or she Is seeking.”

Civil litigation may not be for everyone, but there are many different ways to make a rewarding career in law. Musson recommends exploring all possible avenues, in both the public and private sectors, before deciding on a course of action.

While rewarding in and of itself, a career in law is also a real way to make a difference to individuals and communities. Lawyers have a real opportunity to make a difference in the world, as Musson knows. “I would like to continue working as an advocate,” he says of his future in Bermuda. “Ideally, in time, the scale of my cases will be more involved. In a jurisdiction like Bermuda they could have national and possibly, international implications, which makes the job that much more rewarding.”

While rewarding in and of itself, a career in law is also a real way to make a difference to individuals and communities.


JOB HUNTING



JOB HUNTING


Getting your fi rst job out of university can feel like a distant dream, especially when you’re graduating into an economic slump. Fast Track has some tips and tricks to help you see the clear path to employment through the forest of applications and interviews.

According to Nevine Lewis, head of business support operations at Butterfi eld Bermuda, the most important fi rst step is knowing what you want to do. This can be more complex than it sounds, as 18 years of headhunting has taught her.

Lewis says that you must be to be able to draw a clear path between your interests, what you studied at university and the job for which you’re applying. You also need to be able to speak honestly (and realistically!) about your strengths and weaknesses. When you’re combing for jobs, be sure to apply to companies that seem like a good fi t for your personality. It can take a lot of soul-searching to identify where you would be a good fi t.

Lewis explains: “If you’re a very ambitious person and you’re applying to a small business or a conservative company you have to take into account how they’ll view you from a managerial perspective. Are you going to blow through your targets? Are you going to get bored easily and let your mind wander because you’re not stimulated? You have to fi nd a fi t based on who you are.”

It’s also very important to get experience and build a network prior to job hunting, if at all possible. Doing internships while you’re still in university is incredibly valuable. “A lot of students are doing odd jobs,” Lewis says, “when they really should be focused on breaking into the industry, developing skills and getting exposure to what working for a company is really like. Your academic experience will not necessarily match the practical experience of working. Experience is number one in a tough job market such as the one we’re currently in.”

Because Bermuda is a small community, networks play an important role. Keep in touch with people you’ve met who work in industries you might like to explore. That being said, never ask your parents to apply for you. While in the past, parents and family members played an important role in job hunting, these days it’s important for candidates to stand on their own two feet.

Lewis says: “It’s essential that young people rely on their own abilities, instincts and strengths. Some old-fashioned hiring managers might rely on that old-fashioned system, but you’ll fi nd more of the hiring force are a fresher generation and will evaluate people on their own merit.”

Once you have some experience, an expanding network and a good sense of your own goals and strengths, it’s time to whip your resume into shape. The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview, so make sure it’s presented correctly. Always make sure that there are no mistakes or typos—just one can get the application you spent so long working on thrown straight into the trash.

Don’t be discouraged if your experience seems thin. According to Lewis, it’s all about transferable skills—that is, experience you have that can be transferred into another area. While you may not have direct insurance experience, being able to analyse data (which you will have done in a maths or science degree) is a valuable skill in that industry. So is teamwork, which is a skill you’ll have developed doing group projects. Think creatively about how to pitch any experience you do have.

Lewis says, “When all you’ve done is go through higher education and a few internships you need to focus on highlighting your education. Make sure it really represents what you’ve done. Although you won’t have had the requisite skills to go into a full-fl edged role, your transferable skills and natural ability will be what hiring managers are looking for.”


JOB HUNTING

With a well-presented resume in hand, you’re ready to start applying. It’s important to be selective, especially if you’re applying locally. Lewis explains: “Bermuda is a small community, and applying indiscriminately can sometimes not go over well. People will fi nd out that you’ve applied everywhere, and it will give the impression that you’re not being hired for a reason. Be selective if possible.”

Stick to positions that fi t with your talents, skills and interests. If you aren’t interested in being a banker, don’t apply to banks. And defi nitely don’t lie and say that it’s your dream job. “I would always encourage people to stay away from buzzwords and false impressions of interest. A seasoned hiring manager can see through that and it causes concerns about integrity,” Lewis warns. It’s also important that jobs fi t in with your long-term career goals. “Think of job hunting almost like Internet shopping: what do you need to put in your cart to get where you want to go?”

Most important, don’t become downhearted. Unfortunately this is a weak job market, so landing a job typically takes three to six months of full-time looking. Don’t underestimate the diffi culty but don’t get down on yourself because you don’t hear back about that dream job. Something will come up if you work hard and give it time.

You’ve fi nally had the call or email you’ve been waiting for: an invitation to interview. It may seem terrifying, especially if you’re shy or haven’t interviewed before. But with a bit of preparation and a dash of perspective anyone can ace an interview.

According to Lewis, the most important thing is to prepare. She recommends three hours of preparation. Think of the interview as putting on a performance or sitting an exam: the more time you invest in preparation, the better you’ll do. Make sure that you understand the company, what they do and how you can fi t into their structure. And don’t underestimate the power of company culture—whether you’ll get along with the existing team is a major factor in who companies hire. They want everyone to get along and work together easily, so see if you can get any insight into how people dress and act at the company.

While wearing a suit seems like the natural thing to do, according to Lewis the default interview outfi t isn’t always the most appropriate one. “People can present as overly stuffy,” she says. “Sometimes suits are appropriate but sometimes they aren’t. See if you can get any insight into the business environment and strike a balance. You

While in the past, parents and family members played an important role in job hunting, these days it’s important for candidates to stand on their own two feet.

Little Brother!



JOB HUNTING

want to look approachable and down to earth but also demonstrate that you know how to dress for a workplace.”

Lewis suggests business casual as a good balance. For men this means trousers with a belt and a tucked-in dress shirt with no tie, possibly paired with a sweater. Women can wear trousers or any skirt or dress with a hemline below the knee. Any blouse or shirt is usually acceptable, provided it looks neat and professional. Neutral shades are usually the safest, as are shoes such as brogues or pumps. Wear clothes you’re comfortable in—if you look out of place in your business clothes, interviewers may think you’ll be out of place in the wider environment.

No matter how much preparation you do (and how good you look) you may still feel nervous. According to Lewis, that’s totally normal. “If a candidate is too laid back it can be just as bad,” she explains. Her trick for working off those nerves? Go for a walk or a run three hours before your interview. As long as you can focus and stay calm in the room you’ll be fine.

Interviews may seem intimidating, but there are a couple of important things to remember. First of all, according to Lewis, many times the person interviewing you won’t be trained in interviewing and won’t know what they’re looking for. They won’t be evaluating every word you say—they’re just trying to get a sense of who you are as a person and how that fits with the role they’re looking to fill. Don’t stress out about every word, just answer questions honestly.

It’s also helpful to keep in mind that an interview is meant to go both ways. Don’t focus solely on what they think of you. Also try to

Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. is a proud member of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers and is pleased to support the education initiatives of the Bermuda Insurance Institute.

THE WATERFRONT, CHESNEY HOUSE, 1ST FLOOR96 PITTS BAY ROADPEMBROKE HM 08 | BERMUDAO +1.441.542.3302 | M +1.441.526.3302

get a sense of them and the company they represent. This is likely someone you’ll be around every day, who you’ll learn from and take instructions from. Make sure that you like them and are excited about the job they’re offering.

Most of all, never feel inadequate. While fancy qualifications and powerful connections can help, Lewis says the thing she always looks for first and foremost is potential. “That’s what I appreciate,” she says. “I’ve been in Bermuda for 12 years, and in that time I’ve seen all types of employment trends come and go. In this environment I’m never looking for the 100 percent-er, the person who meets all of my requirements, because I don’t know that I’ll be able to manage their expectations. I’m looking for people who have potential and humility. Just being honest goes a long way for me.”



THE RIGHT JOB


Have you ever considered a career in international insurance and reinsurance? Read this, and discover if the sector is right for you, as Amy Shillingford of the ABIR explains.

Did you know that the insurance and reinsurance industry in Bermuda offers opportunities in many different types of career? The insurance sector is one of the Island’s leading industries, supporting the economy and the

community. Why not get on board and see what is waiting for you down the road? How far you go in your career is up to you.

We’ve listed here just some of the careers in insurance that are open to you to pursue based on your areas of interest or the subjects you are studying and enjoying at school.

What’s your favourite subject?

Why not consider a career as an actuary, statistician, fi nancial controller or claims manager? To be a successful actuary, you will need a good knowledge of and defi nite liking for mathematics—and have a practical business sense. Actuaries apply their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, demographics and economics to real-life fi nancial problems to estimate the probability of future events.

Why not pursue a career as an accountant, purchasing manager or accounts payable clerk? You must enjoy working in a numerate environment, have an inquiring, analytical mind and be able to work logically, consistently and accurately, even when under pressure. Accountants need to keep up to date with changes in fi nancial reporting and have the ability to apply changes to their company’s business.

How about a job as a meteorologist, risk manager, environmental or energy underwriter, catastrophe modeller or researcher? Insurance companies take on millions of dollars’ worth of risk each year by writing insurance policies that transfer the risk of loss from their policy holders to the insurance company. Modellers analyse historical data to determine possible future exposures to loss and underwriters assess and select the risks and determine the cost of the insurance.

IT professionals have many roles in an international insurance and reinsurance company. These roles include network developers, systems programmers, webmasters, business analysts and project managers to ensure the computer infrastructure is up and running at all times, with a help desk to provide support to users with day-to-day technical problems.

Maybe a career in advertising, marketing and communications, public relations or event management is in your future. The communicators and marketers are the voice of an insurance company. They create and articulate programmes that promote the company’s products and services to employees, shareholders and clients. It is a creative career that operates in a dynamic environment. You must be focused and work well under pressure, often to tight deadlines.

If you enjoy working with people, relish a new challenge every day and are good at solving problems, you could pursue a career in human resources, or learning and development. A confi dential, objective and diligent approach to work is essential.

Perhaps your profession lies in legal, fi nance, administration or claims. In an insurance company lawyers are responsible for managing litigation and advising on contracts, regulations and claims. They draft insurance contracts and assist the underwriters with legal issues and insurance policy wordings.

The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) represents 20 of Bermuda’s international insurance and reinsurance companies. ABIR member companies have approximately 1,600 employees in Bermuda and just shy of 35,000 employees around the world.

With headquarters and operations in Bermuda and with operating subsidiaries in the US and Europe these companies generate business income from more than 100 countries around the world. For more information visit www.abir.bm

Access Arch, and you ignite a world of solutions. Industry-leading talent in underwriting and claims drives our results across many industries and lines of business. Combine this with a flexible, responsive approach and strong financials, and you see a formula that demonstrates proven expertise. ArchExpertisesm

A.M. Best: “A+” Standard & Poor’s: “A+”

GOAHEADPUSHOURBUTTON

ArchInsurance (Bermuda)®

Powering Specialty Risk Solutions

www.archinsurance.bm© 2013 Arch Capital Group Ltd.


WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The Department of Workforce Development is exploring novel ways of stimulating employment on the island, as Fast Track fi nds out.



WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

One of the key consequences of the global economic crisis has been a rise in youth unemployment, and unfortunately, Bermuda has not escaped the problem. The Bermuda Government’s Department of Workforce

Development has in its remit responsibility for developing educational, vocational and training programmes for Bermudians. This year, it’s been getting innovative.

In July, the department facilitated a two-day recruitment fair hosted by the Norwegian Cruise Line. This pilot event marks an interesting new chapter in connecting young Bermudians with potential employers, opening the way for productive careers in thriving industries.

Founded in 1966 with a focus on Caribbean cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line now operates 13 large passenger cruise ships, including several that stop at King’s Wharf, Bermuda. Two human resource executives from Norwegian Cruise Line, who travel the world to seek talent to join their organization, visited the Island for this event. Potential applicants were invited to pre-register with the Department of Workforce Development. In addition, people were invited to attend the fair on a walk-in basis so that as many Bermudians as possible could take advantage of the opportunity.

Eighty-fi ve Bermudians attended the recruitment fair. The Norwegian Cruise Line executives presented a full overview of the employment opportunities as well as realistic expectations of life as an employee of a cruise ship company.

Everyone who attended was afforded the privileged opportunity of a personal interview with one of the recruitment executives, who then returned to their corporate offi ce to review the application materials and discuss offers for employment.

Eight Bermudians subsequently received offers of employment directly from Norwegian Cruise Line under this programme. All the successful applicants recognise that this is an exciting opportunity and one that will signifi cantly enhance their personal and professional growth. One applicant has subsequently accepted a scholarship for overseas studies and has made contact directly with Norwegian Cruise Line expressing his continued interest in future opportunities. All the other seven successful applicants completed their pre-boarding requirements which included shipboard visa, security clearance, medical examinations and fi rst aid/CPR certifi cation.

The Bermudian contingent set sail on their maiden voyage on October 5, 2013 from New York on the Norwegian Gem. Following the success of this programme negotiations are underway to host Norwegian Cruise Line representatives on an annual basis.

The Department of Workforce Development was formed this year, replacing the old Deparment of Labour and Training and the National Training Board section. Announcing the change, Minister of Home Affairs the Hon Michael Fahy, said: “The name change signals the commencement of the transition of the department and its mission to ensure the delivery of qualifi ed human resources to support Bermuda’s economy. It is well known that workforce development by its very nature is intended to discern and address the defi ciencies among those desiring employment. Understanding these defi ciencies and putting in place an effective plan to close the gaps is an imperative for Bermuda, now and in the future.

“The importance of undertaking national planning for a sustainable workforce in Bermuda is an urgent priority for the government. Based on the unemployment data, we must work to ‘up-skill’ the people of Bermuda in an effort to improve Bermuda’s competitive position in the delivery of products and services to both local and global markets,” he added.

The pilot scheme with Norwegian Cruise Line may not resolve Bermudian unemployment overnight, but as a marker of a new approach to stimulating jobs on the island, it’s an excellent start.

Eight Bermudians subsequently received offers of employment directly from Norwegian Cruise Line under this programme.



GETTING ON AT WORK


Starting a new job can be a challenging experience, but it is also the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Fast Track brings some helpful tips on how to make the most of your fi rst job and ensure you get noticed and rewarded.


GETTING ON AT WORK

WWW.FASTTRACKBERMUDA.COM FAST TRACK / Careers module / 2013-2014

In most workplaces there are a few typical types of people. There are the hard workers, keen to show management that they can turn their hand to anything, the offi ce joker, who always tries to brighten up what could be a fairly monotonous day, and the

quiet ones, who just want to get on with their work, whether they enjoy it or not.

In many ways the offi ce is much like the classroom environment: work hard and be successful and popular and you will reap the benefi ts; fail to get your work done and hinder the productivity of others and you will not succeed.

However, contrary to what you may think, it isn’t just making tea and coffee for the offi ce which will make you friends and get you noticed. Everything can ultimately determine your success and you are in charge of it.

We’ve outlined a few key pointers that can be transferred to any working environment to help you on your way.

It may seem like the most obvious tip anyone can offer but a common mistake lots of people make when settling into the working environment is to be reluctant to take on new tasks that may seem too diffi cult or to be a lot of extra work.

It’s all very well to turn up to your job, do the bare minimum and collect your salary. But these are often the types of people who get left behind and stay in one place rather than move upwards.

If your manager asks you to do something beyond your remit, say yes even if it seems like quite a challenging task. As long as you show willing, your manager will notice and won’t mind if you need to ask for help.

Obviously you cannot say yes to everything but shying away from requests and calls for volunteers will not help you in the long run.

The 9 to 5 routine is a concept many people will not be familiar with and can come as quite a shock to the system.

With this in mind, our second golden rule is to make sure you get a decent night’s sleep before work. You may have been used to burning the midnight oil before a major exam, or turning up to classes and lectures on just a few hours of sleep but there’s only so many times this can be done when working full-time—eventually it will start to show.

According to global healthcare company Bupa the majority of adults need around seven to eight hours’ sleep a night to function effi ciently.

“An ongoing lack of sleep, whatever the cause, may affect you both physically and mentally. This may impact on your ability to work productively or to do certain activities—such as driving—safely,” Bupa says on its website.

Even if you don’t normally like dressing smartly a good appearance will do wonders for other people’s perceptions of you. Getting up early every day and spending an extra 15 minutes getting ready may not seem like the most attractive prospect and you may feel more


GETTING ON AT WORK

comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt, but going the extra mile on your presentation can only have a positive impact.

It may seem like a rather depressing fact but you will end up spending more time with those you work with than you do your friends and family. Unfortunately, that is just the nature of modern day working life. You may not have a huge amount in common with your colleagues but there is no reason this should be a negative thing and there are usually ample opportunities to turn your time spent at work into a positive.

Nobody likes a negative person; if you sit at your desk looking as though you would rather be anywhere else in the world, this will inevitably rub off on others.

Talk to your colleagues, be sociable and have a smile on your face.

While it is important to be friendly and approachable you don’t want to give the impression of being more interested in socialising than working.

It is fi ne to talk and have conversations with your colleagues in quiet periods but when it gets busy your boss will expect you to get on with your work.

Being too chatty could distract others from their work and give the impression you are not taking your job seriously.

It’s a cliché, but there is always something that can be done in the workplace. There will inevitably be periods which are far less busy than others.

The quiet parts of the day should not be seen as an opportunity to surf the Internet and have a rest but to continue learning and working.

Keep yourself busy, however minor it may seem, reply to emails, clean up your desk or do some research into the company to give you an idea for a future project.

Your manager will notice if you are sitting around with nothing to do and it’s much better to be already doing something to avoid being asked.

In every offi ce there are those that seemingly at their desk until midnight and back again before sunrise.

While you may think they will be instantly recognised and rewarded with a huge salary bonus it can also have the opposite effect.

As long as you are productive in your work you can get the results in time. Try to split up your tasks and work effi ciently and you will fi nd yourself being able to manage the workload much better.

Of course there are some days where staying late is necessary but just because someone is making the offi ce their home it doesn’t necessarily mean they are producing better results.

Every once in a while, usually every six months to a year, your manager will sit you down and tell how he or she thinks you are performing.

While this is a great opportunity to fi nd out how you are doing you

should also use it to air any concerns or suggestions you have about

the company.

Obviously don’t go overboard and launch into a tirade of negativity

but provide some constructive criticism. Suggest how things can be

improved and ideas for the future.

Your manager will see that you are thinking and care about the

company and how it is run and not just out for yourself.

In most workplaces, it’s easy to identify the most respected members

of the team. They’re the ones who seem to know what they’re doing

and always come up with the goods. As a result, they have job

stability and are likely to be in a senior role.

Learn from and observe them, ask questions about how they got to

where they are and if they have any tips and advice, they’ll more than

likely be happy and honoured to help.

These tips are not exhaustive, but follow the basic guidelines and

you will enjoy a productive and hopefully rewarding time in your

new job.

Naturally there will be things you will pick up along the way and

every offi ce or workplace is different. The most important piece of

advice we can give is to work hard, be yourself and have fun. Good

luck!

Try to split up your tasks and work effi ciently and you will fi nd yourself being able to manage the workload much better.


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CAREERS

Stephanie Lewis always wanted to be an insurance underwriter, but found herself working as a golf pro. But as she tells Fast Track, it’s never too late to chase a dream.



CAREERS

Stephanie Lewis rises early, often getting to her desk at Canopius Group half an hour to 45 minutes before the start of the working day. She spends that time studying for two qualifi cations that she knows will get her where she wants to

go. Currently a trainee underwriter at Canopius, Lewis has her heart set on a career as a full-blown underwriter. She’s well on her way.

A graduate of Bermuda High School for Girls, Lewis studied economics and psychology at the undergraduate level before completing her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Wisconsin. She graduated 10 years after a summer programme introduced her to the insurance industry.

Lewis explained, “I started on the Summer Student Internship Programme back in 2002. You get to work in a bank, an accounting fi rm and a reinsurance company. When we were working in reinsurance I immediately loved the environment and the work. It opened my eyes to the idea of the industry. But when I came out of school I ended up going into a different career—I was a golf professional. I decided to get my certifi cations and my MBA while working in that environment, which was more relaxed.”

For Lewis a short detour turned into a longer one, but she didn’t let that discourage her. It was years before she felt ready to get back into the insurance industry, but she went for it anyway. She scanned the paper for months looking for a job—and half a year went by before she found a position that worked with her qualifi cations and experience level.

She explained, “Canopius wanted everyone to hand-deliver their applications—that was a way of sifting out who was serious and who wasn’t. I walked into the building to hand in the application and immediately got to see the environment.”

Lewis was hired after three interviews. The fi rst, more of a chat, was an opportunity for her to meet the head of the company and the people with whom she would be working. At the second interview she did a presentation, called a submission, a common task in the insurance underwriting world. It was daunting for a newcomer, she said, but she trusted her gut and her own analytical skills, which she had developed during her years in education. “It was scary,” Lewis confessed. “I had never seen one before, but now I’ve seen hundreds.”

Now that she’s been in the role for several months she’s fi rmly on track to her dream of being an underwriter. “I’m a little bit older and had a different career path to begin with,” she said. “It’s nice to see that there are other people in the same position who are now doing well. You don’t have to be from a top school, you don’t have to have tons of experience in different countries. Insurance, and Canopius, are great because you can do it as a Bermudian. It’s a great industry to get into.”

But breaking in, Lewis says, requires perseverance. “It’s a diffi cult fi eld to get into. But once you’re in, you’re in—people get to know your name. Breaking in is diffi cult and it can be daunting and frustrating, but just persevere and be yourself.”

Landing her job may have been an uphill battle, but once Lewis got her foot in the door at Canopius she was immediately exposed to

the industry of her dreams. Every day is different. She may spend her mornings on any number of administrative tasks, and the afternoons are a great time to work with fully-fl edged underwriters.

She explains, “That might entail putting together a quote, sitting in on broker meetings or phone calls, and generally seeing what the underwriters do themselves. I get to do a little bit of everything.”

Canopius in particular offers her a lot of opportunities, because the company itself is small. She said, “There are about eight of us at the moment, so I sit right outside of the CEO’s offi ce. I talk to every single person, from our CEO to our technical analysts, and deal with a wide range of people on a daily basis. There’s nothing I’m not exposed to, and I don’t think there are a lot of junior people who get the opportunity to sit one-on-one with a CEO.”

That one-on-one contact also gives her the chance to bring up any questions she may have from her morning’s study, meaning that she has real-world examples to attach to exam questions.

The work is hard but rewarding, Lewis says. “I rely heavily on my organisational skills and a lot on my analytical skills. I tend to ask a lot of questions and get bogged down in details, but this industry lends itself to that. On the other hand, you have to be social. Working as a golf professional helped me develop my social skills. I speak to 100 people a day, whether it’s brokers on the phone or clients coming through the door. The ability to multi-task is also important, and being able to keep track of multiple projects at the same time.”

With the right attitude, attributes and skills, Lewis says, anyone can get involved in the insurance industry. It doesn’t matter who your parents know, what school you went to or even if you have spent years in a completely different industry, as she did. She kept her focus, developed her skills and managed to get where she wanted to be.

“Make yourself a better applicant each and every day,” she said. “Whether you’re studying or doing exams or just becoming more aware of the industry, everything can help.”

She concluded, “If somebody gets off track or does something a little different for a long time it’s never too late to change to what you really want to do. I always wanted to do insurance. It took a little time—I essentially had a six-year hiatus—but I always kept my focus on insurance. I never gave up on it. Just because it doesn’t happen right away doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”

There’s nothing I’m not exposed to, and I don’t think there are a lot of junior people who get the opportunity to sit one-on-one with a CEO.



PARTNERRE


The PartnerRe Undergraduate Scholarship gives students the opportunity to work in one of PartnerRe’s overseas offi ces before their last year of university. Fast Track interviewed Yannick Dill, the 2011 recipient, about his internship in the fi rm’s Dublin offi ce this summer.

The PartnerRe Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded each year to a Bermudian student who has completed a minimum of one year of post secondary education, and who demonstrates excellent academic skills, community

involvement, leadership ability and acute fi nancial need. The annual value of the scholarship is $25,000, tenable for a period of up to three years.

It was a great work and travel experience. I was able to get a feel for what it’s like to work for a global reinsurance company and how each of the offi ces has a specifi c role to play within the business strategy. I also enjoyed being able to function as part of a legitimate professional team that conducts real business transactions. The need for me to acclimatise quickly and transition smoothly to a new country and time zone was diffi cult but necessary if I wanted to be productive—I imagine this is what a professional must go through while travelling for business.

I was surprised by how important electronic communications and information technology are to everyday business functions at PartnerRe. The underwriters regularly use sophisticated programmes to analyse data to assist them in assessing risks, and it is commonplace for important business meetings to be conducted in videoconference rooms where the people you see on the screens in front of you are sitting in rooms in France, Switzerland, the US and Bermuda.

The most interesting experience was going to watch a traditional Irish hurling match. I had never even heard of the sport before interning in Dublin, so being able to witness it for the fi rst time was special. The atmosphere was amazing—it reminded me of a bigger version of Bermuda’s World Rugby Classic.

The most challenging aspect of the internship was the process

of fi nding my way around in a new unfamiliar country. When I fi rst arrived, I didn’t know what to expect or whether I would fi t in. But by the end of my time in Dublin I was proud of myself—I knew my way around the city and had become more independent and responsible.

I enjoyed and welcomed the cultural differences. But personally, I didn’t fi nd anything too extreme other than the difference in accents. In fact, I feel that Bermuda and Dublin have more cultural similarities than differences. Everyone was very friendly and courteous towards me and I wasn’t treated like a summer intern, but a young professional, and that was nice!

Don’t allow yourself to become paralysed by fear of the unknown. Success in university has a lot to do with your mind frame. There will be many challenges and there will be times that you are unsure of yourself, but you have to set your mind to do the very best that you can and be confi dent that you have what it takes to succeed. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help—no question is too dumb!

The underwriters use sophisticated programmes to analyse data to assist them in assessing risks, and it is commonplace for important business meetings to be conducted in videoconference rooms.

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BUTTERFIELD


Butterfi eld is committed to helping young Bermudians reach their potential through higher education and that’s why we offer scholarships every year to assist students who are pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at

overseas colleges and universities.

Reviewing the many applications during the shortlist process can be a time-consuming process for any scholarship committee. It’s important that applicants take the time to review the instructions and terms and conditions for each scholarship they apply for.

Here are some important tips to note when applying for a Butterfi eld scholarship:

• All applications will be processed only on the Bermuda Scholarships website at www.bermudascholarships.com

• Applicants must be Bermudian (PRC students are not eligible).

• Applicants must have had fi ve years of schooling in Bermuda.

• The Bermuda Scholarships online student profi le should be completed in full. Noting ‘see resume’ is not acceptable.

Butterfi eld Scholarships are a great help for Bermudian students. To maximise your chances of winning one, follow these tips from AVP account manager Simone Gibbons.

• The parents/guardians of all applicants (or applicant if self-suffi cient), must complete the Confi dential Statement of Expenditure.

• The Bermuda Scholarships online application must be accompanied by all the required documents as stated in the Butterfi eld Scholarship terms and conditions. Allow yourself suffi cient time to collect the various documents required. Failure to provide the required documents might render you ineligible.

• Pay special attention to presentation, and make sure you check the spelling and grammar of your application.

• Responsibility for the submission of the required documents, on or before to the stated deadline, rests with each applicant. Butterfi eld will not follow up with applicants to obtain missing documentation.

• The application deadline is the last Friday in March. Provide yourself with enough time to troubleshoot or contact the Bermuda Scholarships helpdesk in the event that you experience diffi culty uploading, inputting or forwarding your


BUTTERFIELD


Allow yourself suffi cient time to collect the various documents required. Failure to provide the required documents might render you ineligible.

application, as applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

To see the full Butterfi eld scholarship requirements and terms and conditions, visit the Bermuda Scholarships website at www.bermudascholarships.com after December 1, 2013.

The 2013 Sir A. Dudley Spurling Postgraduate Scholarship winner was Kevin Minors. Kevin, who graduated from Oxford University with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, will return to Oxford in the fall to pursue a Master’s degree.

Kevin advises, “Fill out your hard copy or online application as well as you possibly can. All scholarships are different but the organisations all agree that they are looking for a well-rounded individual. For the most part, they want someone with good grades, an extracurricular activity, and community involvement at the very least. Once they see these three things, they start looking for more specifi c qualities such as leadership, passion, and the elusive ‘wow factor’.

“On the application itself: use spellcheck, double check your documents, meet the deadlines, be honest, choose your references wisely, and let your passion show through, and you should have nothing to worry about.

“Finally, in the interview: show your true colours and be honest. Interviews really shouldn’t be as scary as they are. We meet new people all the time. But if you are nervous, let them know. If you would like to change your answer to a question, say so. Interviewers are people, too.

“The trick is to let your passion shine through. Show them that you care about the scholarship, that you care about the company, that you are an interesting person who is worthy of representing them. If interviews are not really your thing, just practise, practise, practise. Practised interviews are more fun thank you think.”

For more information about the scholarships that Butterfi eld has to offer, visit the Bermuda Scholarships website at www.BermudaScholarships.com, or contact Simone Gibbons, AVP account manager on (441) 299 3821 or Simone.Gibbons@butterfi eldgroup.com


VOLUNTEERING



VOLUNTEERING


Volunteering can be a fun way of developing new

professional skills, meeting new friends and boosting

your wellbeing while helping others. Fast Track takes a look.

When exams are looming, your diary is packed and you’re taking all the time you can to study, fi tting in another commitment may seem like the last thing you want to do. But volunteering can provide a

much-needed change of focus, and can boost your confi dence and self esteem so you return to your studies with renewed energy. It looks good on your resume and there’s a strong social element to volunteering too—you’ll make new friends, make contacts and get to know your local community.

Volunteering is also a handy way of putting your talent to work for a good cause. If you’re an artist or photographer desperate to get your work out there and see what you can do, volunteering can let you do that.

There are so many different volunteering opportunities in Bermuda, you’re sure to fi nd a programme you enjoy and if you pursue something that really matters to you, you can get out at least as much as you put in.

If you’re unsure of what career you’d like to pursue, volunteering can help you discover what kinds of work you like, while if you’re set on what you want to do as a job after fi nishing school, volunteering can help you better understand what the profession is like.

Employers are looking for work experience—if you volunteer, you can build up that experience while benefi ting those in your community. It also enhances your CV—by volunteering, you’ve demonstrated you’re self-reliant, motivated and can work with all kinds of people. In addition, you would have developed invaluable workplace skills along the way by working as a team, delegating tasks and communicating effectively.

According to a study by UK volunteering charity TimeBank, 73 percent of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without, and 94 percent of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefi ted either by getting their fi rst job, improving their salary or getting promoted.

Volunteer.bm is the easiest way to connect with volunteer opportunities in Bermuda. A service provided by The Centre on Philanthropy, the site offers an accessible tool to search ways to get involved and enables users to browse by interest, skill, or availability. More than 130 organisations use the site to recruit new volunteers, including the Bermuda Red Cross, The Salvation Army and the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation.

Volunteer programme coordinator Jennifer Pitcher says that students searching for volunteering opportunities should treat their applications as they would for a paid position. Students signing up through the site are often asked why they would like to volunteer for a particular organisation or position, she explains.

“Your responses should refl ect your motivation and personal interest in the position. Volunteering is an opportunity for both the organisation and the student to benefi t and it is important that you explain why you are interested in a particular volunteer activity.”

When choosing an activity, Pitcher recommends considering organisations you’re familiar with or curious to know more about, and deciding what skills or talents you might be able to contribute, as well as which roles will help you to gain new skills.


VOLUNTEERING

“Also consider suitability, as some organisations and positions require a minimum age to volunteer, the time commitment required, and the organisation’s cause to help select the volunteer opportunities that suit you best,” she adds.

If you simply can’t commit to a weekly appointment, Volunteer.bm posts one-off opportunities that have a minimum commitment of one day. At the moment there are short term placements at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda, and Meals on Wheels, and new opportunities are added to the site regularly.

There’s also the option of signing up to receive e-mail notifi cations when opportunities based on your preferences become available.

If you’ve got itchy feet and want to take your skills further afi eld after fi nishing your studies, Raleigh International offers a year-long programme including a 10-week expedition overseas, where you

can put what you’ve learned to the ultimate test. Past expeditions have involved building a school in India, a bridge in Malaysia, and a community hall in Nicaragua. After completing your project you’ll embark on an adventure, which could be a 250km trek through Indian mountains or a mountain climb in Borneo.

In preparation for the expedition, Raleigh volunteers will undergo fi ve months of team-building exercises, one-on-one coaching and physical training, and upon your return, Raleigh will help you bag that fi rst job, or fi nd a placement in further education.

Volunteering can also be good for your health. In 2008 the University of Wales, Lampeter, assessed the health benefi ts of volunteering, and found that it can “increase volunteers’ longevity, improve their mental health, keep them fi tter, and enable them to cope better with illness when it occurs.” The study also found that volunteering reduces the incidence of depression, stress and psychological distress.

Further information

www.volunteer.bm

www.centreonphilanthropy.org

www.sjabermuda.org

www.raleigh.bm

Ninety-four percent of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefi ted either by getting their fi rst job, improving their salary or getting promoted.

The St John Ambulance (SJA) charity in Bermuda is always looking for volunteers, who can learn real-life skills as they work: all SJA volunteers are trained in fi rst aid and CPR. “We also teach our members to a Medical First Responder level. They are able to operate the ambulance with this certifi cation and we also offer ambulance driver training,” says Jeffrey Borges at the SJA.

Bermuda College student and SJA volunteer Satyrah Robinson, 18, says that by volunteering she has gained medical skills as well as personal skills: “I have always struggled with communication but volunteering with St John Ambulance has helped me tremendously.” She says that volunteering has helped her decide that she wants to pursue a career in emergency medical services.

Fellow SJA volunteer and Berkeley Institute senior Ryan Robinson Perinchief, 17, says that if you’re willing to put in a lot, your volunteering programme can pay off handsomely. “SJA has deeply compensated me for the commitments I have made through donating my time and energy,” he says.

“Every time I attend a Monday night meeting, step into the ambulance, or put on my uniform, I step out having learned something new and grown a little more inside.”

Borges says that volunteering builds confi dence, trust and character in people. SJA volunteer Mahkye Steede, 15, says he has made new friends through his work with the SJA.

Borges continues: “Our volunteers meet new people and enjoy activities or events they would have not usually been involved in if they were not a part of the organisation.”

The SJA welcomes volunteers all year round, and accepts volunteers aged 16 and up, although it has accepted 15-year-olds. Students can apply online, or visit the SJA offi ce in person. Applicants will then be asked in for a brief interview.

“We aim to fi nd out why someone wants to volunteer and how committed they will be to the organisation and what they expect to receive from SJA,” Borges says.


RenaissanceRe is committed to supporting Bermudians in their academic and career development.

We congratulate Nicholas Hall, recipient of the 2013 RenaissanceRe Undergraduate Scholarship.

Careers at RenaissanceRe:

Nicholas Hall graduated from the International Baccalaureate programme at the

Bermuda High School and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at Western

University in Canada, majoring in Actuarial Science.

RenaissanceRe is a leading global provider of property catastrophe and specialty

reinsurance. Since 1993, we have been dedicated to the art of managing risk in a

volatile world. We listen, we share what we know, we craft solutions, forging partnerships

that last.

[email protected]

• Claims & Underwriting Support

• Facilities & Office Management

• Finance & Accounting

• Human Resources

• Information Technology

• Investments

• Legal

• Marketing & Communications

• Software Development

• Underwriting & Modeling

PursuingExcellence


KPMG

If you’re an analytically-minded university graduate looking for a new challenge and opportunities to travel, and you enjoy meeting new people, a career in accounting might be for you. KPMG’s graduate programme offers a streamlined route into the profession.

Fast Track spoke to KPMG Bermuda managing director Stephen Woodward.



KPMG

Despite the recession, working in accountancy continues to offer excellent job security, good prospects and a competitive pay package. Every business, be it a start-up, multinational giant or charitable organisation needs

an accountant, so demand for the profession is high, and after you qualify your skills will be recognised around the world.

The time to get started couldn’t be better, as recent changes to industry regulations mean that new accountants will qualify with a broader base of management skills.

The accountancy profession in Bermuda is governed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bermuda (ICAB), which is formally affi liated to the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA).

In January this year, CICA and the Society of Management Accountants of Canada (CMA Canada) united to form the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada).

Therefore, Bermudian students who qualify as chartered professional accountants, or CPAs, can practise in both Bermuda and Canada.

KPMG’s graduate programme is a three-year course during which you’ll undergo the CPA studies. It’s an intensive study programme that includes periods of on-the-job training and practice experience, where you’ll interact directly with KPMG’s clients.

As a staff accountant at KPMG, you’ll practise general skills, such as learning how businesses prepare their fi nancial statements and how to analyse information, while developing your investigative and communication skills.

“We also provide a structured training programme to support the practical experience you will receive, so you’ll be provided with support in terms of soft skills training, such as presentation skills, effective communicating and writing skills,” says KPMG’s Stephen Woodward.

Staff accountants complete the programme as qualifi ed accountants, can advance into team leader roles on audit engagements, then progress through to manager, senior manager and director. They will develop business acumen that will enable them to take advantage of global business opportunities.

After completing the programme, there’s also the opportunity to move into other departments or service lines of KPMG, Woodward says. “The majority of work that we do is accounting and audit-based work, but it would be possible for them to move into the tax department, or advisory group, which is much more transactions-focused, where you may be working on restructuring engagements, corporate fi nance, due diligence and business valuations.”

For those who are keen to go further afi eld, KPMG has a secondment programme where Bermudian qualifi ed accountants can go to work in other countries, such as the UK and Canada, for up to two years

depending on the sector they’re working in. A secondment overseas

gives trainees the chance to experience different working practices

and develop professional skills while forging new contacts.

“The idea is that you return to Bermuda with that very international

experience under your belt,” Woodward explains.

He adds: “Once you’ve qualifi ed as an accountant, you become

highly desirable. A number of students might consider leaving the

profession to go and work in industry, in a variety of roles or sectors,

which tend to be related to reinsurance or investment funds and

banking.”

KPMG in Bermuda is seeking talented, motivated university

graduates for its programme. Generally, candidates will need a

minimum of a 3.0 Grade Point Average, but Woodward adds the fi rm

considers other attributes, such as strong leadership qualities and

sound thinking and analytical skills, not just academic achievements.

“We like rounded individuals who can show they’ve done other

things as well as being interested in accounting,” Woodward says.

“Applicants joining the programme also need to show some kind

of commitment to the community, such as through charitable work,

because that’s one of the values that we hold quite strongly at

KPMG,” he adds.

Every year the company holds a ‘Making a Difference’ day, where the

offi ce closes and all employees are encouraged to give their time to

volunteer in the community. Over the years KPMG has teamed up

with the Salvation Army, retirement homes, the Bermuda Maritime

Museum, and charities for disabled people.

“We’re not just looking for stereotypical accountants—it’s much

broader than that.”

To fi nd out more about KPMG’s graduate programme visit kpmg.bm and

click Careers, then Graduates.

http://www.kpmg.com/bm/en/careers/graduates/pages/default.aspx

A secondment overseas gives trainees the chance to experience different working practices and develop professional skills while forging new contacts.


Name: Carlos AllersJob: Investment compliance manager

Company: FIL LimitedWorking hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm

It’s my responsibility to manage a team of fi ve analysts, whose role is to ensure the funds they manage remain within the scope of their investment guidelines.

My day typically starts with going through any emails that may have come overnight from our Asian colleagues, or in the early morning from our colleagues in the UK and Europe.

I have to sort through hundreds of emails a day to determine what needs to be addressed urgently, which takes about 30 minutes. Most correspondence is done by email, so we have a trail that’s saved on our network.

The emails I’m interested in are mostly queries about the status of a particular fund, responses to emails that I or a member of my group may have sent, new fund notifi cations, or updates to existing funds.

Then I’ll go into our automated compliance system. FIL manages thousands of funds that are assigned to different analysts. It’s the analyst’s responsibility to ensure that the funds that FIL manages remain within the scope of investment guidelines.

Every morning my team addresses any compliance exceptions, or violations, that may have occurred the previous day. Not every violation is a true violation—the team has to do some research to check whether the violation is true or false. If it’s an actual breach then it’s the team’s responsibility to report it to the portfolio manager involved with the particular fund.

We liaise intensively with our counterparts in London who work with the portfolio managers and traders. Whenever a fund may have breached its guidelines or violated a rule, we have to inform the trader that this isn’t allowed, or allow a trade to go through.

The team is also responsible for setting up new funds. When I get a notifi cation for a new fund, the client services manager sends us the investment management agreement with all the details about the fund and then I assign it to a member of the team.

As the manager it’s my responsibility to do a peer review, or a secondary check, to make sure the comments and compliance exceptions the team have addressed have been done so correctly. I’m also responsible for reviewing any updates that are made on our automated compliance system before the changes go live.

A lot of my job consists of managing people, but I also keep my hand in by doing some of the work the team does on a regular basis.

I’ve been at FIL for 10 years now, straight out of college in the US, where I studied fi nance. I knew wanted to work in the fi nancial services fi eld.

It’s good to have a fi nance, accountancy or business degree of some sort to get into this career, but I’ve worked with someone who had a degree in geography. As long as you’re competent, have an interest and know what you’re talking about, it’s a good place to work.

Personally, I haven’t gained any further qualifi cations—I’ve worked from the ground up.

Some of the people here who want to progress much faster have a CFA (chartered fi nancial analyst) designation. A number of people here have their CFA designation, FRM (fi nancial risk manager) designation, accounting designation (CA or CPA), an MBA or other master’s degree. These are all things that help in terms of career progression.

It’s quite competitive at the moment, so it’ll be best to have as many qualifi cations as possible and put your best foot forward in interviews.

A DAY IN THE LIFE: INVESTMENT COMPLIANCE ANALYST


WWW.FASTTRACKBERMUDA.COM FAST TRACK / Careers module / 2013-2014

A DAY IN THE LIFE: INVESTMENT COMPLIANCE ANALYST

I expect it varies from company to company, and role to role.

The earning potential is unlimited if you prove yourself as a needed asset in the company, you’re good at your job and prove your worth.

How much you make depends on a variety of factors, such as how you negotiate at interview. If they really want you there they’ll pay you well.

You definitely need to have attention to detail. In the compliance world we’re the last stop when it comes to detecting any violations of a guideline.

Also having a good work ethic is important. Essentially we’re the police of the operation, so nobody really likes us when we tell them they can’t trade, but you can’t turn a blind eye to a violation for that reason.

Analytical skills are definitely a must, because we deal with numbers as well, such as percentages and market values.

We’re always talking to people by telephone or in meetings, and email communication is huge at FIL, so the ability to communicate effectively with people is very important.

No two days are the same. There’s always some new query we’re asked to look into by another department or a new set of regulations imposed by a country or region’s financial regulator. Sometimes we feel as if the company has adopted the motto “if in doubt, ask compliance”, because we receive a lot of questions about issues that are not necessarily compliance related.

There’s always something new to look into, and I enjoy some of the challenges we’re presented with from time to time. I’ve also had the opportunity to travel. Finally, I like the people that I work with, both based here and internationally—it makes the work easier if you get on with your colleagues.

You need to have attention to detail.

On a typical day I check out what’s scheduled in court. Unfortunately in recent years crime rates in Bermuda have risen, so we try to keep on top of what’s going on in court and whether crime rates are decreasing or increasing.

Sometimes I get news tips from people on different stories, which may be about a business going under or unfair treatment of employees, which we’ll investigate. We try to speak to people that the situation is actually affecting rather than offi cials.

I try to plan stories ahead of time because sometimes you get slow days and you always want to have things lined up.

We try to give a well-rounded newscast by covering different issues. We cover different parliament sessions, talk to ministers of government and look at community events and issues that are affecting the everyday person such as job losses, and whether Bermudians are still feeling the pinch of the economic recession.

Every day is different. I try to get out in the fi eld as much as possible—the more you’re out the more you bump into different things that are going on.

My hours are pretty straightforward. News in Bermuda tends to not really kick off until midday—it’s slow in the mornings. If something happens, such as a shooting, we can be called out at different hours of the night to see what’s happening, but typically that doesn’t happen. Usually it’s about 10am to 6pm.

My father is a musician in New York so I’ve always been around the world of entertainment, and really liked it.

I’ve always loved news—my goal and dream was to be like Diane Sawyer! In Bermuda I became quite friendly with one of the DJs at the radio station and he saw that I had a talent for broadcasting and let me sit in with him.

He moulded me and guided me along, and I ended up interning at one of our main TV stations at age 15 and 16 where they taught me editing skills and how to create commercials. That was when I started to write news for TV, which is a different style from a paper or a magazine.

I like news broadcasting, being in the know and being out there

and dealing with people. At college I did a double major in political science and broadcast journalism, and then I interned at the US Congress, which is where I decided to pursue broadcasting. With politics, you can help people by passing legislation, but it doesn’t have an immediate effect.

With news broadcasting and journalism, you can reach people immediately, get a message through and make them alert to things. That’s what really drew me to it—it was more hands-on.

Those who want to get into my line of work should try to be aware of what’s happening in the world and take an active interest by reading the newspapers and magazines, and seeing different styles of writing in different newscasts.

They should get an idea of what’s out there and perhaps try to write for their local TV station or get an internship. Try to talk with reporters, get into the environment that will really hone your skills and in college, take up writing or broadcast journalism. Even marketing can help a little.

Young people nowadays should probably be well-versed in creating news for the multimedia platforms on the Internet.

You should be articulate, able to write well and know your history. Also public speaking is a real gift—you have to know how to talk with people to make them feel comfortable.

In Bermuda, the pay rates are hourly and start at around $20 an hour for a three-month period, and can rise to between $30 and $40 an hour.

New directors in Bermuda earn $40 an hour, and most news reporters make between $30 and $35 an hour. The highest I’ve seen it go is about $40 to $45 an hour.

My favourite thing is that every day is different and I’m always learning new things. I’m constantly interacting with people and I get a lot of joy out of that.

A DAY IN THE LIFE: REPORTER

Name: Julia Killoran-SmattJob: Senior reporter

Company: VSB-TV Channel 11Working hours: 10am to 6pm


Name: Waynette Hollis

Job: Lawyer

Company: Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited

Working hours: 9am to 5pm

The day starts before I arrive in the offi ce. In the morning I check my phone for any emails that have come overnight to see whether any urgent responses are needed. Being an offshore fi rm in an international fi nancial centre like Bermuda, most of our clients are all over the world so we have lots of different time zones to consider.

When I get into the offi ce, it’s more email checking, prioritising my tasks, communicating with clients and fi guring out what needs to be done that day and for the month. Most of my day is spent on correspondence and reviewing or drafting documents, and liaising with government authorities. Sometimes, depending on the matter, I will have to spend some time doing research in light of our client’s proposed business strategy.

The simple answer would be 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, but often enough the hours extend a little further on either end of the day.

From time to time I have really late nights where I’m in until 9 or 10 in the evening, which often happens when all of my clients have the same or similar deadlines.

Timekeeping is very important as an associate—you have to account for every six minutes of your time.

In Bermuda, you need an LLB, or there is a postgraduate programme called the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), which is a shorter route for graduates in other subjects.

You need to have a law degree either from Canada, the UK, Australia or West Indies because of the English law connection; the US system is different.

The next step after completing your law degree again depends on where you gained it. In the US you sit a bar exam. After English law students fi nish their law degree they go on to either the legal practice course or the bar course, depending on where their interest lies. These programmes are a year long and end with a set of exams, which some might say replaces the need to sit a bar exam like in the US.

After you pass your exams you go on to a year of training. Then in

Bermuda you’re called, or invited, to the bar, usually by the fi rm that you’re training at.

As an associate you have to do more than just great work, you have to build relationships within the fi rm with others who are established so you are fed the work that’s going to help you develop as a young lawyer. You have to ‘build your practice’, and as a new kid on the block that comes with the exposure you gain when a lawyer more senior than you asks you to handle, or assist them with, a matter.

I did my law degree in London, but I did a business degree fi rst in Florida. I chose a programme called the Graduate Entry LLB, which is like a happy medium between the traditional LLB and the GDL programme.

Nowadays for Bermuda, a trainee salary would be about $60,000 to $65,000.

Earning potential can skyrocket. Earnings will vary depending on where you’re practising—whether you’re in a private fi rm or in-house, and if it’s a small- or medium-sized fi rm. It can be very fi nancially rewarding.

Not necessarily, but it may do you good to have an LLM if the way you practise law has more of a research focus, rather than daily corporate practice, which is what I do. While you don’t really need any additional qualifi cations, lawyers are required to continue their legal education and remain current with developments in law: in Bermuda you’re required to do eight hours of continuing education programmes in one year.

Knowing that I’m helping people to achieve their business objectives well and within the law. What I really thrive on is when a matter requires some creativity, or some strategising, because then you can turn to the law, fi gure out the limits and what really is possible, which opens your mind up to so many more possibilities, rather than just accepting the traditional or what’s readily known.


A DAY IN THE LIFE: LAWYER


Name: Kenny Rawlins

Job: Founder/owner

Company: Kenny’s Kitchen

Working hours: varies

It varies: I start around 9 in the morning and can work up to 9, 10, or 11 in the evening. My average workday can be 10 to 14 hours long.

Kenny’s Kitchen is a full scale catering company that brings staff in depending on the how many people we are catering for on the day of the events. We can cater for fi ve people to 500 people; there’s no set day and no set number of people, so there’s no typical day.

With large events, such as a wedding for 300 people, we prep the day before, and then the day of the function is for getting everything fi nalised and cooked. We bring in a setup crew who prepare the plates and utensils and load the truck.

I worked for Bermuda Island Cruisers for 23 years. While there I decided it was time to slow down and concentrate on starting my own business, because I always found there was a gap in the market for that ‘home style’ catered food. I found a niche and decided to go for it.

You need a certifi cate in hospitality and would defi nitely need a background in the hospitality industry and the food and beverage service. You also need a health and nutrition certifi cate, especially now everyone is eating more healthily. You have to get the qualifi cations so you can recommend what on the menu is healthy. You continue to educate yourself in this fi eld.

You can take a hospitality industry course at Bermuda College, then further your education by going overseas. A few of the students who work with me have gone to the US to further their studies, and there are schools in Europe and Canada that you can go to get your degree in hospitality.

You could get your certifi cate in Bermuda and work in the industry here,

but I recommend students go overseas to develop, as hospitality is a wide area that offers a range of different skills. Once you go overseas and you do a two or three-year course, then you can specialise in a chosen area. I specialised in pastry work and have a degree in pastry and sugar work.

In this industry you always need something to fall back on because you can get tired of one area.

Meeting different people from different walks of life. It’s amazing—as small as Bermuda is, when you’re in the catering industry, the different backgrounds and culture of people you meet on a daily basis is unbelievable. Every time I do a function I meet someone different, so it’s really interesting.

I’ve been in the catering industry for 32 years, and bought my fi rst restaurant when I was 23. I prefer working for myself, as you have a free hand on what you want to do and you can put a lot more into it.

I prefer to go it alone because I know what people want and I have the independence. I don’t take on more than I can handle because I want to give clients the personal touch.

The earning potential in a startup business is not that good unless you put your heart and soul into it. This is a hard industry to be in: you have to put in long hours, and while it pays off in the end you have to start at the bottom.

You don’t come into this industry thinking you’re going to get rich. You’ve got to educate yourself, you’ve got to learn, you’ve got to ask questions, and once you’ve done that and your employer sees your potential, you can earn good money in this industry.

It’s a job where if you get into it young, you can relax by age 35 or 40. I recommend getting your education early and putting everything into it when you’re young so by the time you have a family, you have the time to spend with them and can sit back and enjoy life.

A DAY IN THE LIFE: CATERER

Cooking up a storm: Kenny (second from left)


Name: Lynne Betka

Job: Headteacher

Company: Little Blessings Nursery

I work part-time but other teaching staff work on a full-time basis. The nursery is open from 7:30am to 6:00pm.

A typical day starts with devotion time. The children sing songs with actions and listen to a short story mainly about all the good things Jesus does for us. It’s a fun session with an emphasis on God.

Next we have fruit time, where the children sit at their appropriate group table. During fruit time, lunch and snacks, the teachers help to promote good eating practices by getting the children to sit properly and stay at the table. Obviously this is done on an age appropriate basis.

At 9:30 we have lesson time. We follow a monthly curriculum with community helpers which includes numbers, letters, shapes, colours and textures. Each teacher plans and teaches her own group.

At 10 it’s outside playtime. We have a number of outside toys as well as slides, climbing frames, etc, and at 10:30 the children come in for circle time. The teachers take it in turns to cover the joint sessions. This time may be spent looking at fl ash cards to reinforce colours or numbers, or it may be singing alphabet songs or nursery songs, or learning a new game.

Lunch is served at 11, and at 11:30 the children all sit together for story time. This is a special time for the children to start engaging in stories. Most of our stories are interactive. The children love being able to make the animal noises, answer simple questions about the story or guess what going to happen next.

By midday the cots are laid out and the children have a nap until 2:30.

The afternoon is less structured, with outside and inside play. During this time the teachers are helping, demonstrating and reinforcing social skills such as fair play and how to share.

The teachers at Little Blessings take great pride in trying to fi nd innovative ways of teaching the children new concepts. With small classes we are able to meet the individual child’s needs and style of learning. By making it fun and accessible the children are able to enjoy an early stage of independent learning.

The starting salary we offer for an unqualifi ed person is $15 per hour.

Teaching has a reasonable earning potential for those who obtain their qualifi cations.

A love of children attracted to me to this career; to be honest it is a career that only those who truly love children should be involved with.

At entry level a sound education is all that’s required. However, to progress, you do need some form of childcare and development qualifi cation and a teaching diploma along with experience and a fi rst aid certifi cate.

You need a sense of humour, great patience, an ability to be consistent and fair when disciplining, being able to listen and hear what children are saying, an ability to earn the trust of both children and parents, an ability to rejoice with them at their achievements and comfort them when they are upset or hurt, and being able to build a relationship not only with the children but also the parents.

This is a diffi cult question to answer. I often ask the children what their favourite colour is; today it may be pink but tomorrow it may be blue—it changes on a daily basis because they like all the colours. For me my favourite thing is the children. I just love being with them, I feel privileged to be part of their lives, and I love to see them progress.

I love my greeting in the morning. What other job gives you a morning welcome with a sea of smiling faces running up to me, shouting “teacher Lynne” and hugging your legs? I know of no better place to be.


A DAY IN THE LIFE: NURSERY TEACHER


Name: Sandra De Silva

Job: Managing director and chief software architect

Company: Nova

Working hours: 40 hours a week

There’s no such thing. Our focus here is developing custom applications for the insurance, reinsurance and capital markets.

Those are the industries that we do most business with but we’ve worked for government and local businesses. We develop solutions for them, such as a lot of the core analytics, the core business algorithms and workfl ow processing for these types of entities.

Typically I do 40 hours a week. I’m aware some other companies work longer hours but we try to have a good work/life balance.

Education is very important if you want to get into software development. Pursuing a degree in computer science from a reputable university is a very positive thing to do. Also there are lots of certifi cations you can get.

There’s plenty of information for people who don’t go to university, or cannot afford these types of certifi cations, and online there’s a lot of free education provided by Ivy League schools. The Microsoft University also has an online solution. There’s an immense amount of information and many opportunities for students who want to get into this fi eld.

The best way of getting into this industry and proving yourself is to apply for an internship. Nova had three interns last summer, who got to work alongside our senior developers.

The skills vary, though we’re always looking for people who have had some experience in programming for our internship programme—programming within the Microsoft technologies is always great. Learning C# programming language and a database such as SQL Server is also useful. It’s good if you’ve learned Java, or other software development languages, because those skills are transferable.

I would encourage students to take introductory programming courses and introductory data modelling courses, and start learning all the core fundamentals of computer sciences. Maths is very important as well.

The very successful and progressive software developers I’ve met are those who have had a major in computer science and either a major or minor in maths. The students who are keen on the maths side of things tend to be very good software developers, but that’s not always the case.

You also have to be creative in this job. There’s certainly a creative element in application development and you have to be able to understand someone’s vision, or create an innovative solution for others to use.

I started in business administration, then I took some programming courses and I absolutely loved it.

I did very well in some programming courses and switched my major to computer science. I just loved the challenge and the innovative opportunities to build things that would be very useful for people.

I studied in the US and Canada, and got quite lucky after I graduated—I worked with people who were incredible at designing and architecting systems, and when I moved to Bermuda I got into architecting systems for the reinsurance industry and learned the business.

It’s quite sophisticated here. There are lots of progressive companies that are developing their own internal tools to give them a competitive advantage.

There’s defi nitely a long, challenging, rewarding path in software development and software engineering for young Bermudians who are interested in it.

About $40,000 to $55,000 a year.

Potential income can get quite high, especially as a software architect. Look around at all the largest companies—most of them are IT such as Apple and Microsoft and they have high earning potential for staff.

Building something that has met a major challenge for a customer and seeing it being used to its fullest.

A DAY IN THE LIFE: SOFTWARE DEVELOPER


Name: Tricha Cross

Job: Senior aquarist

Company: Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo

Working hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm

I work from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

I get to work and unlock the building if the janitorial staff haven’t done so already. I turn on all the lights for the building and walk around checking the exhibits to ensure all the lights, water and air supplies are functioning correctly and that nothing has happened to the animals or tanks since I last saw them.

I begin defrosting the fi sh food while I clean all the exhibits, inside and out, then I prepare the food and feed the animals. Usually I have some sort of long-term project I am working on, whether that is to improve the exhibits or to educate the visitors, and in the afternoons we sometimes have staff meetings or animal welfare meetings.

Some animals require afternoon feedings, some exhibits require afternoon cleanings and I am always available to help other aquarists with the tasks they are completing. Sometimes I help the collector go out in the boat and collect specimens for display and often I have to go out in the truck to retrieve dead, sick or injured animals that members of the public have alerted us to.

At the end of the day I ensure the tanks have running water and air for the night, make sure all the animals are healthy and secure, then I shut off all the lights, lock the doors and leave work until the next day.

The starting salary is around $50,000 a year.

Salaries usually increase the longer you work and we are meant to get a cost of living increase yearly to match the rise in infl ation. Any further increases come along with having additional qualifi cations and getting promotions.

I enjoy working with animals and I wanted to maintain and help save our environment by exhibiting parts of the ecosystem most people will never get to see fi rst hand.

I began my involvement with BAMZ [Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo] as a member of the junior volunteer programme at the age of 15.

I have obtained an associates degree in arts and science, a bachelor’s degree in animal science, CPR and fi rst aid certifi cation, along with diver rescue oxygen administrator certifi cation and AED (automated external defi brillator) certifi cation. I have an intermediate truck driver’s licence and a marine diesel engine operator’s licence and I am rescue diver certifi ed.

I need to get my C class boat pilot’s licence and a master’s degree. I plan to get my master’s in environmental management.

Being able to dive is really important as we do that all year round. Not being afraid to jump into dangerous situations is also important because wild animals are unpredictable and anything can happen at any time. Being self-motivated keeps you interested in the work; sometimes feeding and cleaning all day can get monotonous so you have to be able to fi nd ways to stay interested or projects to keep you busy and thinking about what’s next.

You have to work well with others as part of a team but still be able to get things done on your own. There is also a lot of talking to the public to answer questions about all sorts of topics, so you need to have good communication skills.

I could never see myself working behind a desk, not for longer than a few days at a time. This job allows me the fl exibility to work inside and out. I do have computer things I need to get accomplished, such as recording data about the animals or typing up the minutes from one of our meetings, but I can always take a break and go and work in the butterfl y garden or feed the seals, or go out in the boat to go collecting.

There is a nice mix of routine and spontaneity that keeps things interesting and fresh. Not to mention the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that I can wear sneakers, shorts and a T-shirt to work.


A DAY IN THE LIFE: SENIOR AQUARIST


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