With change on the horizon, the insurance industry provides ample opportunity for young professionals.

 

More than ever, people want peace of mind, and insurance is one sure-fire way to achieve that.

However, insurance is a changing industry, and some the top trends New York, NY-based PwC has identified as challenges and changes also signal opportunity. Trends PwC, a global professional services network, has acknowledged include the increased use of data and artificial intelligence, as well as an aging workforce

Here, a variety of professionals who work at SAS, Combined insurance, Penn Mutual Life, Sedgwick Claims management Services, Inc. and BB&T discuss the perks of working in this evolving industry. They also share their best advice for joining them in the growing ranks of this sector.

 

 

Sedgwick’s Ayala Leads the Way to Success

At the core of Jay Ayala’s work is helping others when the unexpected happens.

Ayala is the managing director for Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.’s casualty business in California and Hawaii. Memphis, TN-based Sedgwick is a global provider of technology-enabled risk and benefits solutions.

“My focus is to ensure these colleagues have the support and resources they need to meet our customer commitments so we can preserve and grow those relationships,” he says.

Much of Ayala’s time is spent working with the regional leadership team, reviewing and assessing the company’s operational performance and the health and vitality of customer relationships. He’s also involved in high-level problem-solving and program development, working directly with customers.

With the company for more than three decades, Ayala graduated from law school in the San Francisco Bay area at a time when there were a historically high number of lawyers, and limited jobs. Fascinated by intricacies of workers’ compensation law while in law school, Ayala opted to pursue an opportunity with Sedgwick to stay close to his training, yet provide for his young family.

“After 36 years I’ve not been disappointed,” says Ayala. “This business has never failed to capture my imagination, and the growth opportunities have been rich and varied.”

He also appreciates how important Sedgwick’s work is to customers: “It’s knowing what we do is meaningful work, that every day thousands of people come to us because they need our help, because they have an unexpected life event or simply because we have the expertise and training to help.”

Having started as a claims professional, Ayala often advises young professionals to “aim high and start low.”

He continues: “My first job in the claims business required me to do everything and anything necessary. That meant I learned the business from the ground up…. Today, when I talk with team leaders, managers, examiners and support staff, I can speak from a position of experience, and, most importantly, empathy, because I’ve done those things myself. You have to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, as they say, to really understand.”

The ability to work with a wide variety of industries, and a prestigious and influential client list, says Ayala, also makes his work enjoyable. “Every day is different…bringing new experience [and] solutions. The job is never stale. That’s what I find very interesting.”

However, it also comes with challenges, namely staying at the front of the pack while evolving. “We’re a company of growth in an industry facing dynamic change. The expectations of an industry leader are very high, and we attract high achievers. No one wants to be the weak link in a highly functioning organization. Finding my own personal level of work-life balance is something I’ve always had to come to terms with.”

With more demand for talent than is available, due in part to a lack of knowledge what the claims field entails, there are many opportunities, says Ayala.

“The variety of experience…is incredible. The most successful people tend to be renaissance individuals, knowledgeable and effective with multiple skill sets. And more recently we’re seeing increasing opportunities for talent development among traditionally underrepresented groups. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences are highly sought after by companies who are seeking to relate more personally with the customers and communities in which they work.”

Browse sedgwick.com/careers/Pages/default.aspx to locate Sedgwick job opportunities. Connect on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

 

Sedgwick Overview

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., is a global provider of technology-enabled risk and benefits solutions. Sedgwick employs 14,000 in some 275 offices located in the U.S., Canada, the U.K and Ireland.

 

Taylor Thrives in His Fast-Paced Leadership Role at Combined

The chance to manage and build an international organization and be a part of a growing business that creatively taps into new markets domestically and internationally is what drew Montell Taylor to Glenview, IL-based Combined Insurance last year.

As a senior vice president he’s responsible for the strategic and operational execution of the global accident, health and life claim organization, which includes the North American, European and Asia/Pacific regions.

“Overall, I lead a domestic and international team that handles more than 300,000 claims annually and impacts more than $1 billion in premiums,” notes the insurance executive.

Taylor’s role encompasses many duties, ranging from strategic business planning and overseeing end-to-end process management and technology to being responsible for claim metrics and quality assurance. For instance, his team is currently enhancing its self-service and Web capabilities for policyholders to create a more engaging customer experience.

“It’s a multi-year project that involves getting feedback from customers, redesigning elements of our website and providing functionality that will allow them to engage with Combined in ways that are most beneficial to how they do business with us - whether they have a claim, need to make a payment or just have general questions,” outlines Taylor. 

While he’s worked in a home office and field environment during his career, his current role straddles both the home office and the field. He appreciates the chance to work in both.

“Leading a field organization is exciting to me because that’s where we, as an organization, getting the opportunity to deliver on the promises we make to our policyholders,” he says.

He also appreciates the fast pace and variety that his job offers as he works across continents. “Dealing with multiple time zones, various languages, computer issues, workforce laws and talent development are some of the challenges that exist, but I welcome [them] and find they’re what make the job fun.”

With a great leadership team, Combined has a diverse new and tenured workforce on the domestic and international fronts, making it a great place to work. In addition, the firm seeks to grow via new markets.

“The coolest thing about my company is its size and growth potential. We’re doing a lot of exciting things to grow our business, as well as retain our customer base….We see more people leveraging our products and services in the future, which will create a demand for skilled talent.”

To succeed professionally, Taylor indicates geographic mobility is key. He also advises young professionals to continuously develop their own core competencies.

Finally, he counsels, “Chart your own path. Your opportunity might be different than those whom you admire.”

Check out combinedinsurance.com/us-en/Careers/index.aspx to discover Combined careers. Connect on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and Google+.

 

Combined Insurance Overview

With a tradition of more than 90 years of success, Combined Insurance Company of America is a provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health and life insurance products and a Chubb company.

 

Choi Creates a Diverse Penn Mutual Talent Pipeline

As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the demand for financial advisers will grow 30 percent by 2024, Jessica Choi is working to bring those employees to Horsham, PA-based Penn Mutual Life.

“I have the pleasure of envisioning what talent acquisition and diversity strategy looks like for Penn Mutual and get to work to develop that,” says Choi, the company’s assistant vice president of talent acquisition and diversity.

For example, she worked on the Penn Mutual Pathways internship, a 10-week structured program for college students to not only get a taste of the industry via meaningful work, but to also connect with mentors to learn how to grow a business, and themselves. This is just one of several available Penn Mutual internship and career development opportunities.

“When you look at Fortune 500 firms, many already have these sorts of structures in place, but this is new for Penn,” says Choi. “We want to provide a roadmap for those who are new to the industry to be successful.”

She’s also working with other groups and organizations, including those that focus on diversity, “to create a talent pipeline” for the company. 

“You can’t keep fishing at the same pond,” notes the talent acquisition executive. “You need to shake things up and recognize there’s a whole world out there you’re not exposed to and isn’t exposed to you.”

Choi is also new to the insurance industry; she was referred to a recruiter via a friend. Though initially hesitant to pursue the opportunity, she’s glad she did.

“That first visit completely changed my perspective,” she recalls. “The first thing I recognized when I walked in[to Penn Mutual] was the people and culture. I engaged in conversations with people; it was easy to see they were passionate about what they do. It’s really changed my life, and I’m having so much fun here.”

Formerly in recruiting and college relations, Choi loves her current role shares a major similarity with her former ones: “I love that I get to make an impact on someone’s life, [and] provide them with the opportunity to launch their career.”

From an organizational perspective, she’s further delighted to have the chance to shape the future of Penn Mutual. 

Then there’s how the two come together: “It’s the talent we bring in that shapes the future. It’s great to be part of both sides.”

Choi highly recommends college students and young professionals complete internships or work part-time jobs to not only get experience, but to also refine their career choices. “These provide a…process of elimination and experience to help you determine what it is you want to do.”

If internships are too much of a time commitment, she notes, then some Fortune 500 companies offer leadership summits, which are one- to two-day events designed to paint a broader picture of the industry. To that end, Penn Mutual offers a two-day externship for college freshman and sophomores to experience the firm’s culture and work.

And there’s no better time to pursue these opportunities - or the industry.

“Our industry is poised for huge growth,” underscores Choi, “and so is Penn Mutual. We’re growing organically and geographically. We want to double our sales force. This is a fantastic opportunity to join and grow with [us].”

Visit pennmutual.com/content/public/about-pennmutual/careers.html to peruse Penn Mutual career opportunities. Connect on, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

 

Penn Mutual Overview

Since 1847, Penn Mutual Life is a mutual company that provides life insurance, investment and annuity solutions to clients that fit their needs at all stages of life. Penn Mutual believes buying life insurance is central to a sound financial plan.

 

SAS’ Badillo Builds Strong Client Ties

Charles Badillo is a relationship manager, supporting relationships between SAS and its clients.

“SAS is a leader in analytics, and I work with our clients to use data to achieve goals or solve problems,” say Badillo, a senior account manager for Cary, NC-based SAS who works with insurance industry clients. “What that really entails is managing relations, bringing things to their attention, and addressing any issues or concerns.”

For instance, Badillo has been working on data governance issues with some clients, such as how users are pulling data from the database, what data is being pulled and what they’re doing with it.

“When a client has better governance, they have better control,” he explains. “You get that by wrapping more security around the work environment and having it all in one location. That’s an important thing for companies today. They need to protect what’s theirs, and, more than ever, that’s information.”

Having worked in the industry for 18 years, specifically in the property and casualty areas, Badillo came to SAS nearly two years ago, a place where he “really wanted” to work.

“SAS is a leader in analytics, and right now in insurance, there’s so much data that companies want to crunch to understand: What’s profitable and what should they stay away from? Analytics are taking off, and if analytics are what you want to do, the best place to be is with a leader. And that’s SAS,” Badillo points out.

That push to better command data, he adds, means the job outlook is strong. “Analytics is where every company is headed, if they haven’t already arrived. That provides a lot of potential in the field.”

For those seeking a career in the field, math and statistics are requisite courses: “The more training and experience you can have those fields, whether in school or outside, that’s the key. I’ve learned that many of my insurance companies cannot find enough qualified folks to hire to do this work.”

While some, says Badillo, may find insurance a “boring” field, he’s always found it interesting. “The industry is still changing, and the fact I’m still learning 20 years later makes it interesting.”

He also likes how he has control of his own success: “In sales I always liked the fact my reward, compensation [and] evaluation are tied to my own success. It gives you a little skin in the game.”

While math and business skills, along with knowledge of the product, are necessary to succeed in the field, being able to manage relationships are critical.

“My best career advice came when I joined an insurance company in New York City. My boss said, ‘This is a relationship business. You need to manage your relationships. Your customers need to know they can trust and can count on you. If you ever break that trust, you’re done in this business.’ Twenty years later, it’s still the same,” he counsels.

Log onto sas.com/en_us/careers.html to follow SAS job paths. Connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.