|
What did you study at university?
Commerce degree at Macquarie University majoring in Actuarial Studies combined
with an Applied Finance degree.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a young child I was obsessed with birds, so I would have been quite happy to
become an ornithologist at that stage. Prior to that, I was heavily into trucks
and dreamed one day of driving one for a living. At the age of 10 I would say I
definitely wanted to be an Australian cricketer, while in my early teenage years
I thought of possibly becoming a doctor. However my grandpa (himself a GP) may
have steered me away from that profession. Finally, when I left school, I didn’t
have anything realistic that I wanted to do, and I kind of fell into actuarial
studies given my mathematical background.
back to top
Why did you join Watson Wyatt?
After finishing my studies, I was considering taking a year off and just having
fun playing golf and maybe doing a little travelling, when I heard about a
position at Watson Wyatt from a friend. Next thing I knew I was offered the job
and my year of freedom was off the schedule!
From the interview process and consultations with that friend I gathered that
Watson Wyatt would be a great place to work and one that would suit me.
back to top
How long have you been at Watson Wyatt?
3 years.
back to top
What does your role involve at Watson Wyatt?
I work in the Actuarial and Employee Benefits Practice. A lot of my work
involves performing actuarial valuations, for example triennial valuations for
accounting purposes or financial monitoring. The other major area is assisting
trustees of funds with a variety of matters such as compliance, fund
administration, financial monitoring and member communications.
back to top
What do you like best about working at Watson Wyatt?
I really appreciate the culture and friendly atmosphere. It is a reflection of
the company’s leadership and recruitment policy that such a great blend of
people work at Watson Wyatt. Everyone is approachable be they the most junior or
the most senior associate and to me that is very important.
back to top
What things do you do outside of work?
Outside of work I am extremely passionate about sport. I will follow just about
anything, however my particular interests are golf (obsessed), cricket,
baseball, Australian football and running. I play golf all year round including
major pennants, and in the winter play baseball with my buddies.
My other main passion is music. Back in the uni days, I played in a rock/pop
band and I enjoyed playing a few small gigs. I am also heavily into classical
music in particular works for piano by Beethoven and Chopin. When I was studying
for my HSC I started playing piano as a way to get out of studying, and I now
enjoy trying to play these fascinating pieces of music.
I love socialising with close friends, usually at the pub or a bar, and I
dream one day of having my own place to entertain friends.
back to top
How has Watson Wyatt supported you with the things you’re involved in
outside of work?
At Watson Wyatt, although on occasion we need to work beyond in order to
complete certain projects, this is not the norm (if you don’t want it to be) and
we still have time enough in the day and on the weekend to maintain a regular
life. The work-life balance is not forgotten and allows us time to pursue
interests and spend time with loved ones.
back to top
If there was anyone in the world you could have dinner with, whom would it
be, and why?
I would have to say Mr Tiger Woods (although a round of golf would preferable)
who is a fine gentleman and a very handy golfer to boot. Going back in time I
would love to have met Mr Frederic Chopin (or heard him play) to see where those
sublime melodies were born. My last dinner on earth though would be with my
girlfriend, family and friends to go through one final time the successes,
disasters, laughs and tears that brought us all together.
back to top
|
