In a rapidly evolving job market, finding a career that aligns with your passion, skills, and values can be a daunting task. To gain insights into this process, we spoke with Gen Zer Adrian Kuzbik, a rising professional in the insurance industry, currently working as a Cyber Underwriting Associate at Tokio Marine HCC.
Adrian's journey offers valuable lessons on how to assess whether a job will be a good career fit and the questions you should be asking yourself during your search. Here's what he had to share:
Adrian's career journey began with a stint in Inside Sales at Motorola Solutions after graduating from Illinois State University. Despite his initial tech-focused role, he found his true passion in Cyber Insurance later on. As he reflects, "My insurance career didn’t start until a year after I graduated from Illinois State University in 2022. Prior to discovering my new passion for Cyber Insurance, I worked at Motorola Solutions in their Inside Sales department upon graduation which introduced me to the tech world."
Adrian's transition from tech to insurance was facilitated by professional networking. He highlights, "I reached out to a fellow ISU alumni using a professional networking platform expressing my interest in his career as a Cyber Underwriter at Tokio Marine HCC because I wanted to make the transition from Tech to Insurance." This emphasizes the power of networking in gaining insights into different industries and roles.
Adrian emphasizes the importance of support and mentorship in the decision-making process. He explains, "What really stood out to me about the Accelerate Program was the support that I’d be receiving from the firm, through mentorship and financial support. We’re lucky to be paired with leaders that have been in the industry for decades that are willing to give their time back to the newest employee’s of TMHCC to ensure that we’re able to comfortably ask any questions."
Adrian's experience underscores the significance of understanding how different departments work together within a company. He advises, "Find a firm that will take the time to show you how everyone works together, instead of taking a role and not knowing how you fit it into the puzzle. It has been really helpful getting personal with our Compliance, Tech, Processing, and Accounting teams in order to see how a policy gets started before reaching us, where it goes after, and how problems are troubleshooted!"
The quality of training and mentorship can greatly impact your career trajectory. Adrian describes the training at Tokio Marine HCC as immaculate, saying, "The training has been immaculate. All the employees that volunteer their time to show their knowledge have been able to clearly instruct us on their respective specialty." He also shares a memorable mentorship experience, "The home run for me was how clearly they were listening and understanding everything I was sharing with me, which reassures me that the leaders of TMHCC are truly empathetic."
Adrian's insights about work environment choices post-COVID are noteworthy. He advises, "By asking yourself these kinds of questions you’ll be able to search for opportunities that will give you the most comfort not only now, but for the rest of your career. Are you best suited for an environment where you can talk to people in person every day? Does your situation allow you to travel to the office? Do you prefer to work alone and must chat on a need-to-be basis?"
Adrian's journey from tech to insurance and his experience in Tokio Marine HCC's Accelerate Program offer valuable lessons for anyone seeking a fulfilling career. The key takeaways are to remain open to diverse experiences, leverage networking opportunities, prioritize growth and mentorship, understand the bigger organizational picture, and consider your ideal work environment. As you embark on your career journey, remember that finding the right fit takes time and exploration. Assess each job opportunity based on how well it aligns with your passions, values, and aspirations. By doing so, you'll be on your way to building a successful and satisfying career path.
Learn more about Tokio Marine HCC here.