A chance letter seeking sponsorship to attend an international conference led to the offer of a summer job at one of Bermuda’s top insurance companies and the opportunity to showcase his talent on the world stage at a careers fair for one lucky 18-year-old Bermudian student.

Gianluca Gibbons wrote to Ace Bermuda requesting financial backing in order to visit the Global Youth Leadership Conference; an annual conference held in Europe, America and Asia.

But what at first proved to be disappointment when Ace told him they were unable offer sponsorship soon turned to delight after he was handed the chance to work for the insurer during his 2008 summer holiday - and Mr. Gibbons has never looked back since.

“They must have been impressed by the content of my letter as I was contacted by HR and offered summer employment,” he said.

“Prior to my experience at Ace I didn’t have a direct interest in insurance, due to the fact of knowing very little as to what it provided concerning career options. But once I arrived and spent time working there my interest was than sparked.”

During his time at Ace, Mr. Gibbons was attached to the human recourses department and also worked with the communications department, being given two projects to work on. The first project was to provide design ideas for the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers’ (ABIR) career booth - something which he thoroughly enjoyed getting stuck into, due to his big passion for art and design.

The second one was to lead a group of summer students to come up with ideas on how to improve Ace’s summer student programme.

“I would have to say the whole package was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had concerning my future and career plans,” he said.

“The freedom I was given to work on my different projects came as quite a surprise to me, but I benefited immensely.

“Rather than having everything structured, except for necessary deadlines and instructions given throughout the projects, I was basically allowed to set my own pace. This forced me to practice good time management; and it permitted me to see how it felt to have independence in a work environment.”

His involvement with the ABIR career booth was to put forward his ideas for the design of the booth; what it should look like; what information it should provide; and how it would be laid out.

“I was asked to develop a number of ideas for a career fair booth for ABIR,” he said.

“Their idea was for me as a young person to develop ideas that would appeal to young Bermudians, a layout which would catch their eyes and spark their interest. So I did my best in putting the ideas together than presented it.

“I was really encouraged from the interest that others had in what I had done, it’s very inspiring having other people appreciate your work. It gives you a drive to want to continue and to do the best you can.”

Mr. Gibbons said it was a invaluable experience, learning about the work ABIR does as an insurance body and a representative for all the Island’s re/insurance industry, as well as the community efforts it participates in, including taking part in radio shows, maintaining its Facebook presence and exhibiting at career fairs.

“I realised how driven its members are to provide a way for Bermudians in general to be aware and informed of the insurance and reinsurance industry in Bermuda,” he said.

“I was also provided with the great opportunity by Ace Bermuda to return from school in October and participate on the ABIR booth as part of the career fair.”

“I would tell any Bermudians interested in getting into the insurance industry that they should definitely follow their interest because insurance is full of career opportunities and options. It is a growing career field in Bermuda and so far many Bermudians who have entered the field of insurance have experienced resulting benefits.”

Amy Shillingford, director of Bermuda Communications at ACE Group and chairperson ABIR’s Communication and Public Outreach Committee, said it was by chance that Mr. Gibbons arrived at the company on a morning when her human resources colleague was out of the office and he reported to her in communications to be assigned to his first project.

“I am the chairperson of the ABIR communications and public outreach committee and our committee was just about to start work on our plan for the ABIR career fair booth for the October career fair at Bermuda College - Gianluca arrived at just the right time to undertake the project for us,” she said.

“The committee wanted to create an interactive career both that would appeal to young people and generate an interest in the insurance and reinsurance industry.

“The opportunity to work with a 17-year-old high school student on the project and design the look and feel of the booth was perfect.”

Leila Madeiros, vice-president and corporate secretary of ABIR, acknowledged Mr. Gibbons’ contribution to the design and concept of the ABIR 2008 career booth.

“Mr. Gibbons was extremely successful in taking the objectives of ABIR and designing a booth that was both compelling and informative for young people,” she said.

“His research, development and design were exceptional and we are extremely proud of his efforts and hard work on this project.

“His excitement, hard work, attention to detail and keen awareness of how we could effectively communicate our messaging was well beyond his years. We salute Gianluca and wish him every continued success in his education and hope he at least considers a career in our industry upon his return.”

Mr. Gibbons, who is currently attending high school at Colegio Adventista de Sagunto in Valencia, Spain, previously studied at Saltus Grammar School, where he obtained eight GCSE certificates.

While at Saltus, he served as a senior prefect and as a member of the student council, as well as being an avid saxophone player and was a keen member of the school band, also playing with the Bermuda youth jazz ensemble. He was also a member of the Bermuda debating team.

Mr. Gibbons has a keen interest in business marketing and communications, languages and music and plans to spend a year in Brazil learning Portuguese after completing his high school studies, to add to his French and Spanish speaking skills.

Following that, he wants to study business communications, marketing or languages or a combination of the three, and, if possible, a minor in music.