Great American Custom’s Post

With our powers combined... we can solve the talent gap! 💍 🌐 It really is such a complex issue, it can be hard to know where to begin. However, as we engage with talent and better understand their needs, potential areas of focus emerge. Groups like Gamma Iota Sigma are tackling one of those areas we need to work on - supporting students' interest in RMI careers. I'm still navigating the best ways to leverage my own talents and sphere of influence, but I am confident that all our efforts are making an impact! #InsuranceCareers

Temple University's approach to early stage career development? Create a “three-legged stool” where the classwork, professional development and internships all promote career growth. But how exactly does the university’s risk management and #insurance program transform students into young professionals, especially as companies look to recruit new talent? #careergrowth #riskmanagement

It was a pleasure speaking with Professor R.B. Drennan, Jr. for this feature article. He shared some valuable insights about educating the next generation of #insurance professionals and the need for continuing education. Click to see the full story.

Nine weeks ago, I posted on LinkedIn that I had started an internship with Convex Insurance. Nine weeks later, this internship has come to an end - and after moving back to university, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on it. A few weeks into the internship, I was asked to come up with a short sentence to describe my experience so far. My answer was that it had been very, very insightful, inspiring, and, to put it simply, fun. This view hasn’t changed and remains highly positive. I cannot describe how much I have learned and grown during my time at Convex. Every day, I had the chance to meet so many interesting new people and learn from them. Whether they were from my team and I was both working with and learning from them, or other people I had met through one of Convex’s events, or the Development Sessions, which were part of the internship programme, to introduce us to all parts of the business. During my time in the Risk Team, I have learned a lot about risk management itself as well as how risks can affect Convex and all of its entities, and especially how it deals with them in response. I am glad I had exposure to so many different risk-related topics - be it my main project, which focused on Emerging Risks on both Group and LOB levels, ad hoc help with Board reporting, or some of the team members kindly introducing me to their area of work and explaining what their job involves. I then joined the Audit Team, who had the same positive impact and welcomed me to their team with open arms. While I learned a lot about Internal Audit itself and what it involves, it also gave me the opportunity to learn more about the company as a whole and how it is structured. Particularly helpful for that matter was the project I had been working on, which proposed key areas Audit should consider for FY24 based on which areas had been covered the least in 2023 and which areas external IA reports suggested. I am also glad I got to work together with some of the interns on our Intern Project, which involved trying to find a way to use AI to extract data from internal documents. As part of this, we ended up developing a preliminary approach to automating this extraction process using code. What can I say? I had an incredible and inspiring time at Convex Insurance and I am glad that I had the opportunity to be part of this fantastic internship programme. A big thank you to Convex and everyone who made my summer as rewarding and interesting as it was. I am glad I was able to meet so many fascinating people and hope we all remain in contact.

Thriving in the dynamic world of insurance during my internship at 'The Leading Solutions ,' I gained a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal role insurance plays in mitigating risks and securing a stable future. Guided by industry experts, this internship enriched my insights into the complexities of insurance operations and their profound impact on individuals and businesses alike. Throughout my internship, I actively engaged in a range of activities, from policy analysis to risk assessment. Collaborating closely with professionals, I contributed to underwriting processes, gaining firsthand experience in evaluating risks and making informed coverage decisions. One highlight of my experience was interacting directly with clients. These interactions not only honed my communication skills but also highlighted the importance of tailoring insurance solutions to meet diverse needs. Witnessing the tangible impact of personalized coverage reinforced the value of client-centric approaches. My time at 'The Leading Solution' also underscored the ethical dimensions of the insurance industry. I navigated real-world scenarios, gaining a deeper appreciation for the ethical considerations that underpin insurance practices and uphold the industry's integrity. Reflecting on my internship, I am armed with practical knowledge, industry insights, and a heightened sense of social responsibility. I eagerly anticipate applying these learnings both in my academic pursuits and future professional endeavors. With a solid foundation gained from this internship, I am enthusiastic about contributing to the ongoing evolution of the insurance landscape."

At USG, we believe that today’s interns are tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we celebrate National Intern Day and recognize Bryan Alvarado, our Business Intern! Bryan has been a joy in our office and a pleasure to have as part of the team. We wanted to get to know him better and we are sharing his answers to our icebreaker questions.       Q. Where do you go to school? What is your major? What would you like to do in this field?    A. I attend The University of Houston – Downtown; I am pursuing a degree in Risk Management and Insurance and two minors in Finance and Spanish. I ultimately would like to become a wholesale broker.   Q. What have you enjoyed most about your time with USG?    A. I have enjoyed the transparency with senior leadership and team members. They offer constructive feedback while being someone you can trust and have a conversation with. I have also enjoyed the meetings with USG President, Tim Horton, where he helps me better understand the world of wholesale insurance.   Q. If money was no object, what would you do all day?    A. I would have a restaurant where I could experiment with my cooking skills and attempt to recreate some of my mother’s cooking for all to try some Honduran-Mexican-American cuisine.   Q. What is a fun fact about you?    A. I can play low brass instruments. My main instruments are the Tuba and the Bass Trombone. I can also play the baritone and the Tenor Trombone, yes there is a difference.    Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?   A. I see myself working in the wholesale insurance industry and making an impact on recruiting to grow this wonderful industry.    Q. What would your superpower be and why?    A. I would like the power of flight to see the beautiful sights that our world offers.     Q. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?    A. My mother’s chicken tamales wrapped in banana leaves that she makes during the holidays with a large accompaniment of salsas.    Q. What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?    A. Do the things that make you uncomfortable from my Mentors, Dr. Pamela Hurley of UHD and Aji Vadakottu of AIG. I did that, and now I am gaining an incredible number of connections and experience in the insurance field. I decided to pursue this opportunity knowing that I would be moving to two new cities where I knew no one. It is a great success so far!    Q. Who inspires you?    A. My mother inspires me to be better each day. She migrated to the US from Honduras and was able to create an environment for my brother and I to thrive and pursue successful careers in the way that she was unable to. I am inspired by her success after moving to a new country that spoke a language she does not and generating success for herself and her family. My mother is a tough individual who shaped me to be the goal-driven individual I am today.      Thank you for sharing, Bryan!   #TeamUSG #NationalInternDay #Leadersoftomorrow #WholesaleInsurance  

“The management of risk is a ubiquitous problem in need of solutions,” according to University of South Carolina Professor Robert Hartwig. “As such, we encourage students to not only double major, but to seek internships and careers in industries where their skills are in demand.” Hartwig, who serves as director of the Risk and Uncertainty Management Center at USC’s Darla Moore School of Business, says his goal is to produce graduates with a broad range of skills. #careerdevelopment #riskmanagement #insurance

🤔 Considering a career in insurance but don’t know how to get started? 🖥️ Our new blog post shares some tips on starting your career! Find out some of the reasons why working in Insurance is an exciting career prospect and find out how to kickstart your career, including details of our Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship: https://lnkd.in/eKWkXbFt 👇 For more information about Simply Academy’s four Apprentice training programmes, follow the links in the comment below 👇 #Apprenticeships #Apprentices #FinancialServices #Training #SimplyAcademy