Students familairise themselves with the sponsor company.

Through this analysis, you should become familiar with your sponsor company’s business prior to commencing your IT1 placement. You are required to write a one-page document (up to 500 words) that provides an overview of the company’s structure and core business, describes how it fits into its industry/market, as well as the role of the department you will be working in. For instance, the analysis can include (but should not be limited to) a business summary and organisational structure and divisions, industry/sector information, company size (e.g., the number of employees), balance sheet information, and any other relevant information about the firm. Any other key facts and statistics you may find interesting can be included. Generally, the required information should be available on the company’s website, although it may be necessary for you to ask a few questions to your sponsor supervisor. Before reaching out to your supervisor, make sure to search for the information carefully.

Students and their managers agree on goals for the IT placement.

As part of the induction process, you and your manager/supervisor should discuss goals for the IT placement. You need to complete a two-page Professional Development Agreement (PDA) you’re your manager/supervisor. The PDA must be submitted online through the Career Manager as soon as practical after commencing the IT placement (max. 2 weeks in).

Students and their managers review progress.

The mid-placement conversation is designed to help you to review your progress with your supervisor midway through your IT placement, identify areas for improvement and how to maximise your learning experience from the remaining time on placement. You should use the form provided by the Co-op Office for the mid-placement conversation.

Students record learning experience and self-reflections.

During the IT1 placement, you are required to keep track of your learning experiences and record these in a personal journal, which should be submitted as a separate document together with your IT1 Report. The personal reflective journal should capture formal and informal events, as well as your self-reflections and learnings.

Students report on their IT project(s).

You are required to prepare a report on a project that you have worked on during the IT1 placement. The report should normally include the following issues, along with any other issues or topics that you consider relevant:

• Main aims of the project
• The actuarial studies skills and techniques used in the project
• If the project is a subproject of a bigger project, put it in the context of actuarial studies skills and techniques used in the project
• Other techniques and skills used in the project
• The methodology used, including models and data
• The results, recommendations, and outcomes
• The time frame of the project and the main milestones.

You should indicate on the cover page of the assignment the type of audience you are addressing, as well as whether you assume the reader has actuarial knowledge or not. The report may be addressed either to:

• A client of your company—either an actuary or not,
• Another member of your company (as your supervisor)—either an actuary or not, or,
• An academic (with actuarial knowledge).

The report should be around 5,000 words long. The report will also be assessed based on its adequacy to the type of audience that is chosen, as well as how well it is presented. We expect a professional level of presentation. Please proofread the report carefully.

Students present their IT project(s).

The presentations are professional presentations that should be addressed to an audience with actuarial knowledge. Your presentation will be attended by academics of the School of Risk & Actuarial Studies, the Co-op industry partner, your fellow Co-op Scholars and Sponsor representatives. You should pitch your presentation at the right level, use an appropriate range of vocabulary and behave professionally. You will be assessed based on the presentation content (topic, structure, clarity, level of understanding) as well as based on your presentation and communication skills (confidence, clarity, use of technology, appropriate pitch). You will get feedback from the School’s academics based on an assessment form.

Assessment Overview

Course Learning Outcomes

• CLO1 : Apply tools, techniques and frameworks to evaluate and understand the role of actuarial studies in attaining the Sponsor organisation’s goals.
• CLO3 : Undertake relevant research in the actuarial studies industry.
• CLO4 : Communicate effectively and confidently in oral and written forms in a business context.
• CLO5 : Collaborate effectively and display collaborative skills in teamwork.
• CLO6 : Business awareness.

Detailed Assessment Description