Welcome to the next post in our blog series: My Path to HJI. These are stories from associates on how they got started in insurance, what led them to their role at Hausmann-Johnson Insurance, and advice for others thinking about making a start in the industry.
This week's featured associate is Alyssa Thompson. Read on to learn more about Alyssa and connect with her on LinkedIn if you'd like!
What’s your role at HJI?
My current role is an Investment Associate at Park Capital Management (the financial arm of Hausmann-Johnson Insurance). My current role is ever evolving. PCM is always growing, but has never forgotten its roots. I am mainly the back office support for the President of the company, Clint Bauch, but also for our other financial advisors as well. I’m the relationship manager for clients who have known Clint for 20 years, and clients who have known Clint for 20 minutes. The most important job I have is to make sure ALL of our clients are happy, not concerned, and have all their questions answered, as well as always supporting each one of my associates at PCM.
What was your career path that led you to HJI and your current role at PCM?
Throughout college, and after graduation, I was working for an automotive repair facility. It was one of those large corporations that favored being open each holiday rather than allowing their associates to spend time with their families. After graduating from UW-Madison, I knew there had to be something better for me out there and I searched the online job postings for UW-Madison grads. I applied for a job on the website, but it turned out to be through a temp agency. The particular position I applied for had been filled, but the temp agency thought they had a great fit for me: Hausmann-Johnson Insurance. The day that I received the phone call that HJI was interested in me was one of the best days of my life. I was so grateful that I brought brownies on my first day. (Who doesn’t like the new girl who brings in brownies?) I began as an Administrative Associate working at the front desk and I loved my job. Every day I was excited to come to work! I love learning and pushing myself to do new things, so when the opportunity to work for Park Capital Management presented itself, I was thrilled to move into that position. And here I am!
What do you wish you’d known when you were just starting out?
I am extremely grateful for the path that has led me to where I am today. I wish I could have told myself while in college, never settle. I believe that hard work does pay off, and if you always work hard and aim for the stars, you’ll never fail.
What inspires you to come to work everyday?
My coworkers. From day 1 at HJI, I’ve become part of a family. The people I work with are some of the most diverse, caring people I’ve ever met, and while everyone is different, we are all the same. We all have such similar morals and characteristics, yet so many different motivations and personalities. That is what makes things interesting, fun, and comforting. I also love my job. I learn something new every day and that is the most important part of my job, to me. Luckily for me, the financial industry never stays the same.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How does that influence what you are doing now?
I always wanted to be a pop star. Besides that, I never really had anything that specifically called out to me. I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up, even in college! I think that is why I always seek new things to learn. That has made me realize that I need to be in a career path where I can always update, learn, and evolve with the industry.
What advice would you give someone thinking about going into insurance/starting their career?
Don’t settle! If you don’t feel happy going to work every day, do something else. The right thing is out there for you. If you work hard, you’ll find it! I would also tell college students who are looking to start their career to not be afraid to do something different, you never know what you’ll fall in love with doing every day.
Tell us a bit about yourself outside of work.
Outside of work, I love to transfer from my professional financial daytime self to a fun, outdoor-loving girl. In the summer, I love to be outside riding my black and white paint horse, Shelby, through corn fields, and spending time with cows at my friend’s farm. In the winter, you can usually find me checking the weather for the next snowstorm. I love to snowmobile with my friends and usually take a trip up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for my birthday. All year round, my favorite thing to do is spend time with my dog, Sasha!
If you're thinking about pursuing a career in insurance, watch the Why an Insurance Career? video from the International Risk Management Institute:
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