Sophie. Catastrophe Risk Analyst

Sophie is a twenty-four-year-old Catastrophe Risk Analyst from Bury St Edmunds. She has been in the insurance industry for six months.

How did you get into your field? What inspired you?

'I studied Geography at the University of Nottingham and have always had a passion and interest in natural disasters, climate change and catastrophes. I actually knew about my current job during my A levels. My friend started working at the company straight after school and always said there was a department there that I would really enjoy. Once I graduated, the role wasn't being advertised and I got a graduate role as a Research Analyst for a risk consultancy company in Unexploded Ordnance and Bombs. After two and a half years there I was ready to move on and be part of a much larger organisation. I also wanted to pursue my love for studying natural disasters and climate change. I started to look for jobs and it just so happened that the Catastrophe Risk Analyst role was being advertised! For me, it was a massive sign that the time was right.'

What did you study at university and did this help you get into your field?

'From the start of studying my A Levels, I realised how much I loved Geography. I knew pretty much straight away that I would study it at university and because it is such a broad subject, it gave me so many options once graduating. Geography also develops a multitude of skills that I have most definitely used in both my old and new job. From bombs to insurance, Geography has been relevant throughout!'

Do you recommend any particular studies, courses or degrees for your field?

'Any geographical, financial or statistical based courses would be hugely beneficial for this role. A passion and interest in natural disasters and the insurance industry itself, is also key.'

What does an average day look like in your role?

'My role involves modelling and estimating how much insurance companies are likely to lose if a large catastrophic event were to occur. No two days are ever the same! However, my typical day would involve receiving client data, such as their insured portfolios/exposures, and then running that data through a catastrophe model, either for earthquake, flood or windstorm etc. The outputs from the models then inform our clients how much they would lose if a catastrophic event was to occur. For example, how much an insurer would lose if a 1-in-200 year earthquake event was to hit southern Italy.'

What is the best part of your role?

'The best part of my role is that it ties in so many elements of Geography, from studying natural perils and climate change, to creating maps and working on a global scale. I also love that everyday is different, some more challenging than others. I don't think I'll ever stop learning within this role and that is something that I value for my professional development and career path.'

What is the worst part of your role?

'The worst part of my role is that I started on the day of lockdown (23rd March), so I haven't actually met any of my colleagues! I had my interview in the London office in February, so met a handful of people then, but apart from that everything has been virtual at home. For somebody who has just graduated and is worried about this situation in the current climate, it's amazing how much you will learn and the friendships you will make with your new colleagues.'

How important is work/life balance to you and how much spare time do you have?

'Work/life balance for me is very, very important! I craved it a lot in my previous job and always wanted more flexibility. Fortunately, within my current company this is something they value a lot. Despite working longer hours now, I feel my work/life balance is so much better. This is because I have more flexibility with my working day and the company encourages that.'

Do you have any hobbies?

'I love HIIT workouts and try to do at least 3-4 sessions a week during my lunch break. Everyone at work makes sure they take their full lunch break, a lot of whom exercise too. This also helps me so much with my work/life balance. It's something I will miss if office life resumes 24/7. I also love to properly relax and unwind in the evenings and I do this by cooking a yummy dinner, watching tv/reading or meeting friends.'

Do you have any advice for people looking to start a career in the same field?

'My advice would be, that everything works out for a reason. If you want something to happen, then it will. I was in a role previous to my current job for two and a half years before my dream job came up.'

Have you ever experienced any uncertainties about your career? What did you do to overcome them?

'When I first graduated, I was unsure whether to move to London where everybody was. However, I'm such a home girl and love the town where I am from. I then got my first job, which was so close to home. I'm so glad with how things have worked out now with my new job because the majority of my team work in the London office, so I will have to travel to London a couple of times a week (post COVID-19), which I'm so excited about! I love the buzz of London and always wanted to work there; so to have that, whilst also living where I do, is something I'm really grateful for.'

Who is your biggest female inspiration and why?

'My biggest female inspiration is one of my oldest and bestest friends who is a NHS nurse. She is so strong, caring and has a heart of gold. I admired her so much with how she took to working during the pandemic, she took it all in her stride. The stories she tells me about nursing, makes me realise that my job really isn't life and death when I get stressed with deadlines!'