Career Roadmap
Jessica's work combines: Business, Law, and Problem Solving
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
North Canyon HS
Bachelor's Degree
Art/Art Studies, General
Arizona State University
Bachelor's Degree
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators:
Bachelor's Degree: Art/Art Studies, General
Bachelor's Degree: Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I come from a working class family and grew up watching my parents work long hours at really physically intense jobs. While I admired their work ethic, I was inspired to find a different path.
2.
I had to work full time while in school to pay my own way. I tried to find work that would provide technical training I could leverage as a career or trade.
3.
When I got my first job in an insurance claim office taking claims overnight with USAA, I took advantage of any opportunity to learn a new line of business or take on additional responsibilities.
4.
I worked my way up from loss intake to analyst. Changed companies twice and bumped to technical specialist and then to a leadership role.
5.
While taking on expanding responsibilities I have all but eliminated the phrase "that's not my job" from my vocabulary. I never stop learning/stretching and you have to be open to new challenges.
6.
I continue to take on projects and lateral position changes to gain exposure to other lines of business. It helps me gain technical skills and stand out as a subject matter expert in various areas.
7.
I volunteer with and lead a diversity network in my company. It helps me build and maintain my leadership skills and connect with people across the company outside of my business unit.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
Insurance work is boring and you won't be able to do creative or interesting things in that industry. Get used to mindless work if you pursue a career in the corporate world and especially insurance.
How I responded:
Find a way to step back from your preconceived ideas of a given industry or line of work. Don't rule out a traditional finance or business job simply because your background is in a creative field. Business is changing rapidly, people who are able to creatively problem solve can be very successful in all kinds of roles. It is possible to use your creativity in a business environment in ways you may not have thought of so be open to all kinds of possibilities.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Be patient, stay motivated, and get help and advice. I had to seek out mentors and peers who had graduated from college to help me find a path to a diploma. It took several years and some false starts, but with perseverance I got my degree.