The Road to Success Testimonials from agents in the business -Three young professionals talk about making it in this challenging career. Why did you choose a career in insurance? Chris: My sister told me I was a good talker and I should get into sales. I landed a job at a major home improvement store, and once I got the chance to sell, I ran with it. I became top in sales but I was not making any commissions. Plus, I was searching for a more fulfilling and challenging career. I wanted to help the local community and selling insurance let’s me do that. Alison: I lost my father at age 4 and my mother at age 14. Neither had life insurance so I know the value of having it. But I really got involved in the career when I dropped my resume with an insurance firm at a job fair. I had a preconceived notion that insurance agents were pushy like some used car salesmen. But the recruiter really piqued my interest when he talked about how I could bring value to a family and community. Mike: After college, my dad who was an insurance agency manager, kept slipping me articles about insurance and its potential, so I decided to give it a whirl. Why did you choose a career in insurance? Alison: Making a difference and truly being valued by my clients for my efforts, sincerity and compassion for their interests. I don’t see this as a sales job. I am simply helping people reach their financial goals and making their money work for them—through life insurance, disability income insurance, retirement plans, college savings programs, mutual funds, etc. Chris: Fulfillment in knowing I have secured the financial future of many families. It’s stressful and hard work, but it’s exciting when you hit your sales target for the month—it really gets your blood racing. Mike: Providing protection for families. They often don’t understand how much protection they have, but when they make a claim, the appropriate resources are available to make everyone’s lives better.