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Beth | TRAC Associate
When/how did you join Marsh?
I graduated from Santa Clara University with a major in Economics and minor in Sociology. I joined Marsh the summer after graduating, in July 2017. I am currently in my first year of the TRAC program, on the Property Placement team in San Francisco.
Describe your time in the TRAC Program
As a TRAC Associate on the Property team, I have been involved in new business opportunities and have been able to meet with both clients and underwriters from a variety of different industries – real estate, technology, hospitality, hospitals, and food/beverage. Every company needs insurance so having the ability to work alongside a variety of companies – from the most prominent tech companies to the largest winery in the U.S. – to help solve their issues has been an incredible experience. My role entails the development and negotiation of our clients’ property insurance strategy. In addition, as a member of the placement team, I have spent a lot of time with underwriters (they certainly like to socialize).
I think what I have enjoyed the most during my time at Marsh is the opportunity to meet with and learn from so many people within the company. Marsh really invests in its TRAC associates. Our first training session was in New York, which was a great opportunity to not only meet with other new hires, but also meet with our executive leadership. After two weeks in New York, I started in the San Francisco office, and whether I’m asking my manager a question about an account I’m working on or asking the head of another team to grab a coffee, everyone has made time to teach me about the insurance industry. I was able to get involved with clients and underwriters very quickly, so I feel that my work has been appreciated. I truly believe the people at Marsh make the company unique, and I’m always grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from so many smart colleagues.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My schedule is different every single day. I check my email first thing in the morning, to make sure I’m caught up on yesterday’s business and am on top of whatever has already come in that morning. I create a to-do list, and prioritize what needs to get done that day. I will check in with team members on the accounts I’m working on. Then I will start checking things off my to-do list, which usually consists of emails, phone calls, Excel spreadsheets, meetings with underwriters, and various other tasks for our clients.
The most important skills required in my job are time management, communication, and analytical skills. I’m always working on several different projects for several different clients, and it is imperative that I prioritize my work and work efficiently. Insurance is a social industry, and the ability to communicate well is crucial. Additionally, you must be able to think critically to come up with ideas and solutions.
My favorite parts of my job are being able to learn about all the different clients we work for and working with my team at Marsh. Our clients span such a wide range of industries, and it’s really interesting to learn about a totally new type of business whenever you’re on a new account. As I mentioned before, the people at Marsh are awesome, and being able to work alongside such intelligent and fun people is one of my favorite parts of work each day.
Do you have any advice for candidates or incoming TRAC associates?
My advice for candidates applying to the TRAC program is to do your research, ask thoughtful questions, and make sure to be yourself during the interview process. If you’re anything like me, you may not have any experience in the risk management or insurance industry. You aren’t expected to know everything, but make sure to do your research and read Marsh’s website so you are able to ask intelligent questions. Try to steer clear of the basic, universal interview questions, and really put thought into specific things you’d like to know about Marsh or the job you’re interviewing for. Most importantly, be yourself and make sure your personality shines through during your interview.