People who work at our member companies are passionate about their jobs, and sometimes they tell us why. Here’s a story from Hadie Bartholomew who works at I.I.I. member Westfield Insurance as a Media Relations Manager.

Everyone loves a good story. But what makes a great story? As a communication professional, I have found storytelling with a purpose always adds value. A few chapters ago, before I started a career in insurance, I worked in the non-profit world to help save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation. Easy peasy! How could I not be passionate about telling captivating stories about people getting a second chance at life?! This set the bar high and, as I moved on, it was a challenge telling equally compelling stories across various industries.  At times, it was tough to connect personally. So, how could I promote content if my heart wasn’t that into it?

What I learned from working at that non-profit is that I need to care about and connect to the content I am publishing and promoting. What’s more, I need to truly believe the industry I’m working in matters and is making a difference.  I’ve worked in local television news, manufacturing, and technology and it was difficult to keep the fire of my passion burning bright. It was time for a change, and when I accepted a position at an insurance carrier, I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical. I bought into all those insurance stereotypes. But I was optimistic and came into my position with an open mind.

Two weeks after I started my new communications career in the insurance industry, Hurricane Irma came barreling across the Caribbean, Florida and up the coast. I quickly discovered how the insurance industry is truly a noble profession.  I saw first-hand how insurance professionals put lives and communities back together and stay in the area long after the storm has passed through community giving campaigns. I travelled to Florida in the days following the storm and rode along with our catastrophic claims team. What a memorable, eye-opening experience. Watching our Claims team in action, making sure customers were safe and feeling cared for, answering their questions and providing support and guidance – it was incredibly moving.  It was my ah-ha moment. I was fortunate to have this experience so quickly after starting a new job. This was a GREAT story and one that I wanted to shout from the rooftops. Seeing the compassion from the field lit my fuse. I found my passion in insurance. It’s more than insurance policies. We offer protection and help people when they need it the most.  These are stories worth telling and inspire my passion.

I know I am not the first person to feel energized by what our industry means to people, families and communities.  So let’s continue uncovering and discovering the stories that paint the true picture of this noble profession. Every agent, underwriter or risk manager can most likely tell dozens of stories of the customers’ lives they helped or homes and business that were restored. This industry isn’t boring, it’s life changing. We help people during some of their most difficult times, provide roadmaps to protect them and that’s a gratifying experience. For me, the key to being happy and fulfilled is seeing the positive impact a job has on my life and the lives of other people. As a content creator for Westfield, I found happiness telling the stories of how insurance makes a big difference in everyday life.

So, when I’m asked, “What do you do?” I ignore the eye rolls (or sighs) and am proud to say I work in the insurance industry. I share all my stories in my short tenure of how as insurance professionals we protect dreams and rebuild lives. It doesn’t get any better than that.