Your first 90 days in a new Actuarial role

First month: listen more than you speak. Get the model walk-throughs, sit in on the meetings, and ask why things are done the way they're done before suggesting changes.

Second month: pick one small thing and finish it cleanly. A tidied-up spreadsheet, a documented assumption, a clearer chart. Visible wins build credibility for the bigger asks later.

Third month: agree your 12-month goals with your manager in writing. Vague expectations are the most common reason new hires feel stuck six months in.

Get involved beyond your day job

With hybrid working now common across the profession, it can be tempting to work remotely as much as possible. In your first year, however, there is real value in spending time in the office.

You'll learn things that don't appear in training materials or process documents. You'll overhear conversations, see how experienced colleagues approach problems and build relationships that can help throughout your career.

If your team is in the office, make an effort to be there too. The graduates who progress fastest are often the ones who ask questions, get involved and make themselves visible.

Small things matter

You don't need to be the loudest person in the room. But a few simple habits go a long way:

• Arrive on time for meetings
• Dress professionally and appropriately
• Be prepared
• Follow through on commitments
• Respond to messages promptly
• Take notes when learning something new

People remember reliability.

Say yes to opportunities

Many firms organise sports teams, social events, charity initiatives, networking evenings and graduate programmes. It's easy to skip these when you're busy studying for exams. Try not to.

Some of the strongest professional relationships are built outside formal meetings and project work. You don't have to attend everything, but making an effort to get involved can make a big difference to both your career and your overall experience at work.

The Actuarial profession is surprisingly small. The people you meet as a graduate may become future managers, colleagues, clients or even employers. Building those relationships early is rarely a bad investment.