MEET LUKE, TRISTAN, AND THEIR MANAGER LUELLA:  Luke Lenihan was a former intern with our Lexington, KY office, who started a year ago and, post-graduation, was hired as an Associate Underwriter with Berkley Industrial Comp. Tristan King is an intern in our Birmingham, AL, office and has been with us for over a year. Luella Alcorn is the business operations manager who has managed Luke and Tristan and other interns and employees in the business engagement department.  

WE LOOK FOR INTERNS WITH DIFFERENT MAJORS, SUCH AS CRIMINAL JUSTICE, FINANCE, ACCOUNTING, AND ACTUARIAL:  Like most college students, they were not aware of what Workers’ Compensation Insurance entails and were pleasantly surprised when they first started their internship. Luke was a senior in college who was about to graduate with a double major in Accounting and Finance when he began his internship and became very interested in Underwriting. He has been an Associated Underwriter since June. Tristan is a Finance Major but wants to transition to full-time employment with our Underwriting Department once it becomes available. He is currently having mentoring sessions with our VP of Underwriting and Director of Underwriting. Some other interns who have found full-time employment with us post-graduation have degrees such as Criminal Justice and Actuarial.  

WHY INTERNSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT: Internships can be a differentiator when finding a job post-graduation because they already will have work experience and a skillset. A student with an internship, a full school schedule, and a high GPA shows hiring managers they have great time management skills. Luke already had introductions to the Underwriting Department from his internship, which greatly benefited him when a position became available.

THERE ARE CHALLENGES TO MANAGING A DEPARTMENT PRIMARILY MADE UP OF INTERNS:  Luella always says that “school comes first,” and she means it. Interns update her on their schedules, upcoming tests, and available work times each week. Luella has a fantastic team that is very flexible and works together to get things done. It takes a lot of trial and error to accomplish things, but their recipe works. Luella wants interns to feel fulfilled, so she constantly meets with them weekly for one-on-ones, where they discuss their interests, such as working in Claims, Underwriting, Finance, etc. If an intern expresses an interest in Underwriting, she will ensure they get exposure to that department so they stay engaged. One of the challenges is that when an intern has exposure to a department and then really shines, they will be moving on from her department. It is a challenge, but it is a great win. Luella is always looking for talent because she has to be ready for new interns when experienced interns are given full-time employment.

OUR INTERNS’ ADVICE TO COLLEGE FRESHMAN: Luke and Tristan advise you to work hard in school and attend college job fairs. It is crucial to keep an open mind when attending because you never know who you might meet. When you attend these fairs, speak with the recruiters and set up interviews to meet with the company’s leaders. Pick places for internships that you feel valued. The company doesn’t have to be the biggest name; pick the place that knows your name.

Most importantly, keep trying. As our VP of Actuarial has advised, “If you don’t put your sail up, you will never catch the wind.” For more information about our Business Engagement Team and some of the skillsets our interns learn, listen to Adjusted, episode 24, where Luella discusses what her team does and how they are changing the customer’s experience.