Sigma Chapter Intern Testimonials

Kathryn Volio

Major:
Graduation Date:
Company: ECBM, LP
Location:
Date:

I started in late May, the Monday after classes ended. I finished on Wednesday, August 24. I then started my part time position Tuesday, August 31. My boss was kind enough to allow me a week’s vacation, as well as two days off that I needed for family commitments. I also took a day off to complete CPCU 520.

The internship was not completely structured, but this was beneficial because I was never rushed and was able to help out when needed. Also, I was able to do some things that were beyond the scope of what was expected of me initially. The tasks I completed regularly included running through the entire process of receiving policies and sending them to clients, checking workers compensation and auto policies for accuracy, requesting policy changes if necessary, creating renewal binders, invoices, and auto/crane ID cards, and filling out various surplus lines forms.

Our classes made it possible for me to focus on learning the procedures of the office because I did not have to learn the basics of insurance. If I had to learn the basics in addition to all of the other things, I would have been overwhelmed and would not have completely understood the purpose of the tasks that I was doing. I cannot overstate the value of learning all that I did prior to working at ECBM. Additionally, I was comfortable interacting with everyone from the youngest employees to the President of the company because of the professional development activities that take place during the year.

The biggest thing that helped me be (somewhat) comfortable in the interview was that I had some practice. I learned how important it is to just be myself and to not lie to make myself sound more appealing. I was glad to have two people interview me as opposed to just one. The hiring process was very simple and went smoothly.

Throughout the summer, I was asked to do several projects. Some of them involved editing spreadsheets and preparing mass mailings to clients, as I expected. But other times, I did some more detailed work. I helped out the Certificate of Insurance department by adding endorsements to certificates and preparing for an audit. I also did various projects when people were in a rush to complete a task.

I was taken out to lunch by management my first day. I attended an important CPCU Breakfast in which Joyce Shefsky was named President of the Philadelphia Chapter with several ECBM employees. We also went to a Phillies game the same day, and were given a free meal. Additionally, I attended a company picnic, and was thrown a pizza party when my internship was complete.

I enjoyed ECBM so much that I accepted an offer to work part time during the school year. The culture fits me perfectly; nobody is above doing any kind of work and nobody micro-manages you. Because the company is relatively small, everybody knows everybody. People show genuine concern for you and are more than willing to help. I asked a million questions and was never ignored. My workload was manageable because I was allowed to take on as much as I could handle. There was no set path for a Commercial Lines intern, so I was allowed to move at my own pace. This allowed me to learn a lot and to do things correctly. ECBM allows you flex-time, so I was able to come in at 8 and leave at 4:30 in order to beat the traffic. I was able to attend meeting and was never treated differently from a regular employee. Free coffee and fruit doesn’t hurt either.

At times, I felt a little lost. I wasn’t sure exactly what I was supposed to be doing. Luckily, I had several people I could go to for help and for work. It seems like everybody is a little overworked, so there were some moments where people were stressed or didn’t have the time to deal with smaller issues. Also, driving in rush hour traffic is not fun at all.

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