Patrick Dunne Geraghty ACII of Aviva earned his ACII designation in less than 12 months. We spoke to him to hear his advice on balancing studying towards an advanced qualification with the pressures of work and family life.

When studying towards any qualification, it can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The long evenings and weekends you give up to read textbooks, make notes and take mock exams can feel frustrating and never-ending. However, as you pass each exam and draw closer to your qualification, remember that there is plenty to look forward to beyond gaining extra letters after your name.

In the first issue of our member magazine, The Insider, we spoke to Alan Burke (RSA, Galway) to find out more about his career in underwriting. 

For the next installment of our Inspiring Leaders series, Fiona Taylor, HR Business Partner Manager with Irish Life, talks about overcoming self-doubt and grasping every opportunity that presents itself.

Caitriona Somers has held multiple senior positions in the insurance industry. Here, she offers her advice on how to progress in your insurance career.

Frantic study, mini mocks, brain straining to retain every detail, a little more study... Yep, that’s me a couple of days before the exam.

As I try to keep everything on track with the day job and with so much going through my mind before entering the exam hall, my thought process isn’t always the clearest.  Let’s face it, as a man multi-tasking may not be my thing, so I‘ve put together a quick checklist to avoid turning up at the exam hall and having a panic over something vital that I’ve forgotten. 

So here we are in the final sprint to the finish line...

For those of us sitting exams, there are a mere seven days until the exam hall beckons. I don't know about you, but for me it feels a bit...aarrrgghhh!!! I feel like the kid in the back of the car asking 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet?' Well, we really are nearly there and I for one am looking forward to getting the show on the road. 

It was likely to happen at some stage. As we count down towards the exam (just over two weeks now), frustration is starting to get the better of me and my textbook plus some study supports nearly went sailing out the window.

Work, life and study: how do I achieve the balance? Ha! The art of balance…if I were to compare my approach to a style of art, I’d have to call it ‘abstract’. A bit of this, a bit of that and see what sticks. Achieving the perfect combination of work, life and study is the holy grail, isn’t it? If you’ve found the secret, please let me know.

This semester we're following two of our marketing team as they study for their exams in September. Follow them through the semester to hear their advice on studying, using supports, balancing study with work and home life, and why undertaking exams helps them stay at the top of their game.

In our first blog, Jennifer Grainger explains how she took those vital first steps of opening the textbook.