hiddenmuse (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hiddenmuse) wrote2004-05-05 05:50 pm
hiddenmuse) wrote2004-05-05 05:50 pm
Insurance Geekdom - Day One
The first day of insurance class went pretty well. I had some concerns that it would be similar to the class I was in back in Missouri - half the class being State Farm reps that spent several years flying under the radar, writing/selling coverage unlicensed - and being pissed that they had to get licensed after all that time.
This time, it was mostly new agency hires (no one from State Farm); a couple of people changing careers - a couple of engineers and an accountant; a couple of people that work in insurance - but weren't in positions that required dealing with the public until now; and a couple like me - new to California and needing the class to get re-licensed.
There was even one person that I've taken to jokingly referring to as the Sorority Legacy, as he'd gotten into insurance because his "mother, aunt and grandmother" are in the business, and he's been working in the insurance office since the age of 13 (he's 19 now). Unfortunately, no one told him that whatever he learned in the office won't be applicable to the class. By the lunch break, I was ready to pull him aside and tell him to take the office learning and shove it up his ass until he's taken and passed the test, because he's scaring the bejesus out of the 75% of the class that only know how to spell "insurance" at this point in time. It felt like he was being a bit cocky, or almost like a know-it-all, which rubs me the wrong way.
I may have a background in insurance, but I'm not going into the class with the attitude of, "Oh, I know everything already - I just need to pass the test." Instead, I'm looking at it like a chance to refresh my existing knowledge of insurance, and build upon it with the California-specific information. I want to be able to provide my clients with the service they deserve, to represent the agency in the best possible light, and to sound intelligent when I speak with clients, co-workers and company representatives.
I am a geek. I was totally in my element today, and I couldn't have been happier, to be honest. :)
This time, it was mostly new agency hires (no one from State Farm); a couple of people changing careers - a couple of engineers and an accountant; a couple of people that work in insurance - but weren't in positions that required dealing with the public until now; and a couple like me - new to California and needing the class to get re-licensed.
There was even one person that I've taken to jokingly referring to as the Sorority Legacy, as he'd gotten into insurance because his "mother, aunt and grandmother" are in the business, and he's been working in the insurance office since the age of 13 (he's 19 now). Unfortunately, no one told him that whatever he learned in the office won't be applicable to the class. By the lunch break, I was ready to pull him aside and tell him to take the office learning and shove it up his ass until he's taken and passed the test, because he's scaring the bejesus out of the 75% of the class that only know how to spell "insurance" at this point in time. It felt like he was being a bit cocky, or almost like a know-it-all, which rubs me the wrong way.
I may have a background in insurance, but I'm not going into the class with the attitude of, "Oh, I know everything already - I just need to pass the test." Instead, I'm looking at it like a chance to refresh my existing knowledge of insurance, and build upon it with the California-specific information. I want to be able to provide my clients with the service they deserve, to represent the agency in the best possible light, and to sound intelligent when I speak with clients, co-workers and company representatives.
I am a geek. I was totally in my element today, and I couldn't have been happier, to be honest. :)
no subject
no subject
:-D