The Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies (BFIS) Mentor Networking programme has been available to Bermuda’s college students for a number of years, networking being an important part of managing one’s career.

Speed networking was introduced about three years ago and met with instant success — participating students found it immensely useful to be able to network with so many professionals in the industry in a fun atmosphere.

A few high school students also participated and said what a fantastic experience it had been. Based on their feedback it was decided that speed networking should be offered to high school students also to give them the opportunity to network with professionals and find out more about the industry.

Approximately 60 senior year students from the various high schools were therefore invited to attend a series of speed networking events. The sessions were received with great enthusiasm — to quote one grateful student: “The chance to speak with members of the industry was of great assistance as I fine tune my professional goals. I know that all my peers were similarly impressed and this will be of great help as we discuss our future plans together.”

How does it work?

Essentially the students get to meet and chat with professionals from all walks of the industry — underwriting, accounting, broking, analytical, actuarial, legal, and so on. After precisely five minutes the bell sounds, then it’s “all change” as they scurry to the next desk to start the process all over again. There are approximately eight rotations, following which lunch is served and the students are able to network generally with professionals.

It is an amazing opportunity and students have said how beneficial it is to be able to sit down and chat about careers, university choices, how professionals got to where they are now, and so on. Very often bonds are formed that will last for many years as the students progress through college and into their career paths.

The Speed Networking events were hosted last week on Monday at Chairman’s Suites courtesy of ACE; Wednesday’s event in the Training Room at PwC and Friday in the Conference Centre O’Hara House courtesy of XL Group. The Mentor Networking Programme is underwritten by AON.

Young Observer got up close and personal with some of the students that participated to learn more about their further education plans and career aspirations.

Student name: Kiunah Outerbridge

School: CedarBridge Academy

Age: 16

Favourite subjects: Math and personal finance

Hobbies: Tennis

Further education and career aspirations: Accountancy

Student name: Matthew Daly

School: Warwick Academy

Age: 16

Favourite subjects: Business and D&T

Hobbies: Squash

Further education and career aspirations: Still exploring all fields of business

Student name: Scarlett Brash

School: Saltus Grammar

Age: 17

Hobbies: Volleyball; swimming; track & field and cross country

Further education and career aspirations: Undecided

Student name: Kate Anfossi

School: Saltus Grammar

Age: 17

Favourite subjects: Art; calculus and psychology

Hobbies: Singing choir; KPMG investment challenge

Further education and career aspirations: University and then to enter the reinsurance industry

Student name: Aldon Campbell

School: Bermuda High School

Age: 17

Favourite subjects: Math and global politics

Hobbies: Rugby and Youth Parliament

Further education and career aspirations: To study finance at college and then accountancy or actuarial science

Student name: Chelsea Ray

School: Berkeley Institute

Age: 17

Favourite subjects: International business and marketing

Hobbies: Softball, volleyball and horse riding

Further education and career aspirations: To attend Bermuda College and then go abroad. I would like to become an entrepreneur of an entertainment business

Student name: Reem Bushara

School: Bermuda High School

Age: 17

Favourite subjects: Economics and math

Hobbies: Tennis, basketball, piano and volunteering with Bermuda Girl Guides

Further education and career aspirations: I would like to go to University in the US or Canada. Underwriter

Student name: Paget Hengesbaugh

School: Bermuda High School

Age: 17

Favourite subjects: Higher level Economics

Hobbies: Tennis, golf and autism playgroup.

Further education and career aspirations: University in England or Scotland. An underwriter

Student name: Sophia Richmond

School: Warwick Academy

Age: 16

Favourite subjects: Business and art

Hobbies: Jump rope, dance, gymnastics and community work at Open Airways

Further education and career aspirations: I would like to study for business in the UK or Canada

Student name: Keturatt Drayton-Binns

School: CedarBridge Academy

Age: 18

Favourite subjects: English and Art

Hobbies: Dance

Further education and career aspirations: To attend Bermuda College and become a registered nurse or an insurance agent

Student name: Johnathan Alves

School: Warwick Academy

Age: 16

Favourite subjects: Business management and biology

Hobbies: Rugby, golf and boxing

Further education and career aspirations: To attend Clemson University and to become a reinsurance broker

Student name: Lawrence Gibbons

School: Saltus

Age: 18

Favourite subjects: Business and Sociology

Hobbies: Sailing, rugby, tennis and golf

Further education and career aspirations: To go to Dalhousie University and run a family business

Student name: Hunter Cameron

School: Warwick Academy

Age: 17

Favourite subjects: Business and music

Hobbies: Golf, violin and packing groceries

Further education and career aspirations: University in Canada and to be a reinsurance broker

Student name: Bathsheba Jones

School: CedarBridge Academy

Age: 16

Favourite subjects: Mathematics and English

Hobbies: Tennis, cooking and writing

Further education and career aspirations: To attend Bermuda College and become an entrepreneur or business administrator

Student name: Kathleen McBeath

School: Bermuda High School

Age: 17

Favourite subjects: Economics and History

Hobbies: Music and St John Ambulance

Further education and career aspirations: To go to university in the UK (legal study) or US/Canada undergrad in business / economics. A legal career

Student name: Sophia Schwertl

School: Bermuda High School

Age: 18

Favourite subjects: Business and chemistry

Hobbies: Field hockey and volunteering at the Bermuda Aquarium and St John’s Choir

Further education and career aspirations: To attend a university either in Holland or Canada to study business management or international business