v1 11/11
Success Story from a Professional in the Field
Deborah Mathews Finch “fell” into her career in the insurance industry as a human
resources professional. She got her current position through a series of promotions
over many years, starting out as an employment manager for an insurance company
in Michigan. If she had it to do things over, however, she says she would pursue an
underwriting career to learn the insurance business, where the opportunities
abound.
In her position as Vice President of Executive Talent Acquisition at The Hanover
Insurance Group, Deborah is responsible for executive level talent acquisition and
work force planning for Home Office, field, product, and corporate positions. She
needs to know the property and casualty insurance business, competition, strategy
and finances. Her day involves building relationships and evaluating candidates.
What Deborah loves about her work is that every day is different, presents new
challenges and something new to learn.
When asked about her thoughts for students who are looking for a career path,
Deborah responded “The insurance industry offers a very stable (everybody has to
have insurance), interesting, and very diverse experience no matter what your skill
set might be.”
Next Steps
Wondering if the Insurance industry is right for you?
Take a Career Assessment to match your interests with potential careers:
www.qcc.mass.edu/t3/ort/sites.html#careerassess
Research the web links on this page and more:
www.qcc.mass.edu/t3/ort/sites.html#careerinfo
Conduct an Informational Interview. Speak with a live person employed in this
field: www.qcc.mass.edu/t3/ort/sites.html#infointerview
Attend a Career Planning Session: www.QCC.edu/images/capssession.pdf
Speak with an Advisor: www2.qcc.mass.edu/advising/adVCal/advCal/asp
Speak with QCC Faculty who teach Insurance courses.
Sources Used
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2010-11 Edition:
Actuaries: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos041.htm
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos144.htm
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators:
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos125.htm
Customer Service Representatives: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos280.htm
Insurance Sales Agents: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos118.htm
Insurance Underwriters: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos026.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries,
2010-11 Edition, Insurance: www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs028.htm
Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET
OnLine, Summary Report for: Risk Management Specialists –
www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2099.02
National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, Straight Talk about Careers
in Insurance, 1997. www.pianet.com/Publications/careerbrochure.htm
Professional Associations
American Insurance Association: www.aiadc.org
Worcester County Insurance Institute: www.wcii-
edu.com
American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty
Underwriters/Insurance Institute of America:
www.aicpcu.org
Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting
Association: www.mpiua.com
Looking for employment,
co-op, internship, or service
learning opportunities?
Contact the Career Placement Office:
www.QCC.edu/pages/Career_Placement.html
Looking for Specific Transfer
Information?
Start at the QCC Transfer web site:
www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer
Make an appointment online with the Transfer
Advisor: www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer/calendar