What were you doing before Selective?
Before Selective, I worked for another insurance company and also spent time at an agency. But just prior to joining Selective, I was actually at home (working very hard!) raising my two children. I was home for eight years. When I interviewed with Selective, I had been out of the industry (and the professional world, in general) for what felt like a very long time. Selective recognized that my contributions would be meaningful to the organization. They saw me as a whole person and what I could contribute based on what I had done earlier in my career - so many other companies couldn't see that. I will always be grateful for the trust and belief that Selective had in me.
Tell us about your path at Selective so far.
My path has demonstrated exactly how Selective approaches professional growth - openly, supportively and with enthusiasm! I started my career with Selective as a Renewal Underwriter, moved to the Small Business team, progressed to an Agency Management Specialist role, and now I am excited to be an Underwriting Manager. All of this happened within a relatively short period of time. Selective has provided support, mentoring and recognition of my talents, as well as opportunities for development in areas that needed improvement. Selective "walks the walk" with regards to employee development, and I am thankful for all of the opportunities!
What's Selective's culture like?
Selective's culture allows each person to show up as their unique self, to feel immediately part of a work community that is all at once engaging, challenging and supportive. As a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, I've had the opportunity to see a different side of my colleague's passion and commitment to making Selective the best company possible. I am proud to say I work for Selective!
What can a new member of the team expect when they join?
Selective offers top notch training, both through formal programs and on-the-job learning. As a new employee, you can expect to receive all of the training that you need - whether you're just starting in the industry or are a seasoned insurance professional learning Selective specifics. We believe strongly in providing mentors to our trainees (three actually - a primary Mentor, a Technical Mentor, and a Peer Mentor). I don't know any other company that provides this level of support. Aside from that, our new team members comment on the way that everyone is so welcoming. I can speak from my own experience - I immediately felt like part of the Selective family.
What qualities are "keys for success" for people on your team?
Success at Selective looks a little different for everyone. You're encouraged to create your own path, and the support will be there for you. Some universal keys for success are curiosity, creative thinking, recognizing the value of relationships (both with internal and external customers), a self-starter attitude, and of course, hard work! Our culture is based on the premise that we can all rely on each other. Teamwork is the path to success.