March 17, 2022
In turn with Alyssa Amerson
Senior Alyssa Amerson of Cary, North Carolina, knows firsthand that the COB career fairs are worth attending. During a ’21 Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) virtual career fair, she landed an opportunity to intern with Builders Mutual Insurance Company.
“During my time at Builders Mutual, I was an underwriting intern,” said Amerson. “With my two mentors, I saw different commercial insurance policies daily, learned the process for underwriting a risk, and helped review new business, endorsements and renewals.”
“Furthermore, I participated in two case studies with agency interns, where we got to take the floor ourselves and review the risk together. On top of that, I was able to study for the Associates in Underwriting exam provided by the Institutes. Throughout the internship, I was also able to collaborate with other interns in different activities weekly.”
How have you applied what you learned in your classwork to this position?
From everything I learned in my BUSI core classes and my RMI classes, I implemented many of the topics and lessons I learned into the real world.
I demonstrated my leadership style and RMI knowledge to Builders Mutual. This past spring, I took general liability with professor Kurt Fickling. Everything I learned — workers’ compensation, auto, general liability, inland marine, etc. — was helpful when I shadowed my mentors while reviewing different commercial insurance policies. I was excited to see the same things I learned in class and recognize the different terms and “insurance language” outside the classroom.
Do you credit a professor in COB for mentoring you or encouraging you to explore an internship opportunity? If so, how did they help?
I give professor Kurt Fickling, Dr. Brenda Wells and Dr. Brad Karl the highest amount of credit. Without their help, knowledge and encouragement, I would not have received an internship. Each of them cares about their students and genuinely wants to see all of them succeed in the insurance industry.
What was the most challenging thing you experienced during your internship, and how did what you learned in the COB help you overcome it?
Unfortunately, the most challenging thing I experienced in my internship was not passing my Associates in Underwriting exam. I studied for this exam weekly, some late nights and some early mornings. However, I did not pass by one point. At first, I was frustrated and upset, considering I worked very hard and studied long hours for this exam. However, through the COB and my wonderful mentors, I learned to be resilient. Through my leadership style that I developed through the COB, I also learned that I could take this disadvantage and use this for the next opportunity that arrives. The COB also taught me that I am not starting from scratch again; I am starting from experience, which is all that matters.
How did your internship experience help you determine the next step in your career?
My internship experience at Builders Mutual turned into a full-time job offer as an Express Account Underwriter! 🙂 I will begin this job shortly after I graduate in May. During my internship experience, I learned that I want to start my career in underwriting and eventually move up as an insurance agent/producer.
Why would you recommend a business student take advantage of an internship opportunity?
I would recommend all business students take advantage of career fairs and find any internships that spark their interest.
Without my internships, I wouldn’t have developed the skills necessary for my professional and personal growth. On the other hand, completing these internships increased my knowledge of the industry/my major. Since I got firsthand experience, I feel much more confident about the information I am learning in my major.