More than just financial security

I first came into contact with Triglav during my university years when I became one of their company scholarship recipients. The scholarship not only provided me with financial security but also enabled me to secure a traineeship—and consequently, my first full-time job—immediately after completing my studies.

My name is Aljaž Grajš. I hold a university degree in civil engineering and have been a proud Triglav employee for nearly seven years. I currently work as a senior expert in the Reinsurance Department, where my colleagues and I ensure appropriate reinsurance protection for Zavarovalnica Triglav. As a former scholarship recipient, I joined the company as a trainee just days after defending my thesis at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering.

It all started with a scholarship announcement

I discovered Triglav as a potential employer in my third year of study. While browsing online for scholarship opportunities, I came across an announcement on the Zavarovalnica Triglav website offering scholarships for two final-year civil engineering students.

The announcement immediately caught my attention. At first, I was puzzled—why would an insurance company need civil engineers? But it soon became clear: to assess property damage accurately, you need someone with expertise in construction materials and technology—someone who understands how to restore a building to its original condition.

Since I met all the requirements and found the role of loss adjuster genuinely interesting, I overcame my initial doubts—like the fear of failing a year and having to repay the scholarship—and submitted my application. Soon after the interview, Triglav informed me that I had been selected, and I officially became a Triglav scholarship recipient.

Exceeding expectations

While I did some student work during my studies, I didn’t think much about what full-time employment would be like. I simply wanted some extra financial support and a pathway to a job after graduation. Today, with many young people struggling to enter the workforce without experience, I see just how important it is to take such opportunities when they come.

Based on my field of study, I expected to work at Triglav as a loss adjuster or underwriter. Reinsurance, which is considered a rather specialised area of insurance, hadn’t even crossed my mind. Essentially, reinsurance is insurance for insurance companies, protecting them against large-scale losses. Working in reinsurance requires a broader perspective, as it brings together elements from various departments within an insurance company – from underwriting and claims to analytics and risk management. We collaborate with numerous international partners and continuously engage in professional development, since specific knowledge of how reinsurers and the reinsurance market operate, as well as of reinsurance contracts, is essential. We even have a language of our own. In short – it’s never boring.

I’ve now been working in various areas of reinsurance for nearly seven years. I still remember my first days as a trainee, blankly staring at documents my mentor had prepared, Googling unfamiliar terms. I didn’t give up—and now I can’t imagine my job without reinsurance slips, retrocessions, and facultative and obligatory contracts.

Main advantage lies in mutual familiarisation with the company

The financial support of the scholarship was extremely helpful during my studies, but in hindsight, it wasn’t the most valuable aspect. Much more important was the opportunity to complete a traineeship and transition smoothly into permanent employment.

Starting an internship is also much smoother, as scholarship recipients have the opportunity to undertake work placements during their studies, giving them valuable insight into Triglav and how it operates. I see this as a particularly important aspect of the scholarship programme, as it offers students a genuine taste of full-time employment while allowing them to build relationships with potential future colleagues and supervisors. At the same time, the company also benefits by getting to know the scholarship recipient better — their skills, strengths, and career ambitions — making it significantly easier and quicker to integrate them into the appropriate role after graduation.

Sense of security and the opportunity to advance

I believe Zavarovalnica Triglav is an appealing employer not just for young civil engineers, but for young professionals more broadly. With a strong international presence and deep involvement in cross-border business, Triglav combines a rich heritage with financial stability and consistent success — offering employees a genuine sense of security. In recent years, this has become increasingly important, both for those already employed and for those still navigating the job market.

The company’s size brings another key advantage: greater flexibility when it comes to career development. The variety of roles available is far wider than in smaller firms, and the opportunities for progression are significantly greater. For our young generation — one that values change, challenge, and continuous growth — this is a crucial consideration when choosing an employer.

In addition to internal training, employees can take part in external education programmes. For instance, I completed an MBA at the Faculty of Economics last year, gaining valuable insights into economics and management — knowledge I now apply effectively in my daily work.

Triglav international business academy

I would also highlight the development programme for young, high-potential employees of the Triglav Group. This initiative helps young professionals develop their potential and accelerate their careers through specialised training and development activities. As part of this programme, I attended the Triglav International Business Academy (TIBA). There, alongside colleagues from other Group companies, I expanded my knowledge, learned more about how the Group functions, and built valuable business connections.

The mobility programme is another valuable development initiative that gives us the opportunity to temporarily change our work environment and take on assignments at one of the other companies within the Triglav Group. Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, the programme will, for the time being, be conducted in a modified format and delivered digitally. I believe this will still prove to be a very interesting and enriching experience.

Aljaž Grajš works at Zavarovalnica Triglav as a senior expert in the field of reinsurance. He is a former Triglav scholarship recipient and a promising young professional within the Triglav Group. He has been with the company since 2013.