The Career Center announced this week that seniors Megan Ceryanec, Caroline Johnson and Samantha Whiting have won the annual Wattles Fellowship, allowing them to work at Lloyd's of London next year.
Senior Jacklyn Becker was also selected as the program alternate.
The Wattles Fellowship is the only program that offers a one-year position in the underwriting room at the internationally renowned Lloyd's of London, a previously male-dominated work environment. Two of the Vanderbilt women will be trained as aviation brokers and one in underwriting.
The Wattles Fellowship is a yearlong work and study program established in 1976 by Walter C. Wattles, a 1936 Vanderbilt alumnus.
Thirty-four Vanderbilt women applied and interviewed for the program. Sixteen of the 34 were chosen for a two-day interview, in which they were asked about their academic performance, student leadership, internship experience, community service and personal qualifications.
"The interview process was nerve-wracking but also very exciting," said Ceryanec, a human and organizational development and English major. "We were interviewed by past Wattles participants, and all of the women were strong, outgoing and inspiring."
Ceryanec said the program will benefit her professional development in several ways.
"I will have the chance to gain an entirely new perspective from a business standpoint," she said.
Involved with several campus organizations, including Vanderbuddies, VUcept, Student Government Association, Alterntative Spring Break, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and The Vanderbilt Hustler, Ceryanec also studied abroad in London last spring.
"In London, it was impossible not to hear about Lloyds on a weekly basis," she said.
The Vanderbilt women will gain experience in the international insurance business, gaining skills that can be used in banking, law, communications, insurance, international consulting, education and government. They are required to take the Lloyd's Market Procedures and Practices Examination to compete with the British workers who have had years of experience in the field.
"I am excited about learning about a new culture, both from interaction with my coworkers and the overall design and nature of Lloyd's," Johnson said. "Also, anyone that has gone abroad can understand the attraction of living and working in a city like London."
Johnson, a communication studies and history major, also participates in ASB, Vanderbilt Catholic Community, Saddle Up! and Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Whiting, an HOD major and child development minor, is a member of Vanderbuddies, Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science, Pi Beta Phi sorority and Outlook Nashville. She also volunteers at the Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center and interned at Lehman Brothers.
Becker, an HOD major and communication studies minor, is a member of Chi Omega sorority, Vanderbuddies, ASB and Dance Marathon and has served as a Greek Ambassador.
Anne Riegle, who was a recipient of the Wattles Fellowship in 1983-84, said the fellowship enabled her to have a "great relationship with other British people who offer support and friendship during their fellowship year and many years afterwards."
