This summer, NYCM welcomed a talented group of interns working
across multiple divisions, from Customer Experience and Brand to Property Claims and Customer Service. While their academic backgrounds and career goals
varied widely, their reflections revealed common threads: growth, discovery,
and a deeper understanding of both the insurance industry and themselves.
Discovering the Industry
Many interns were surprised by the complexity and
collaboration behind insurance operations. From learning the role of agents and
examiners to uncovering the many moving parts that keep NYCM running, they
gained an insider’s perspective on an industry often only seen from the outside.
Leah Oliver (Customer Experience) discovered a unique aspect
of NYCM’s process: “I was surprised to learn that you need to go through an
agent.” Others, like Tyler Barth (Brand Creative), were struck by the level
of coordination across teams: “I didn’t realize how many different teams all
have to collaborate to keep things running smoothly and build trust with
customers.”
For Maeve Robinson (Brand Public Relations), the learning
curve came in the form of language: “There are so many words that us young
adults don’t think about on a day-to-day basis… I had never heard of some of
these before.” And in Customer Service, Gabrielle De Silva found herself
fascinated by the “amount of data science behind the scenes.”
Personal Growth and Confidence
Stepping into real-world projects pushed interns out of
their comfort zones. Several shared how they became more confident speaking
with customers, more at ease in front of a camera, or more social in
professional settings.
Jake Brady (Property Claims) found his interactions shaped
his confidence: “I found myself more social than I thought I would be. Everyone
was very open and friendly.”
For Tyler, video work offered a new challenge. “Being
part of video projects… stepping in front of the camera pushed me out of my
comfort zone in a good way, and I gained a lot of confidence.”
Some discovered new strengths in adaptability and
communication. Kristopher Convis (Customer Service) reflected: “This
experience has made me open up, which is especially important with broadcasting
and a degree in Meteorology.”
Maeve shared that she learned the importance of pacing
herself: “I had to scale things back and really think about what I wanted to
put out there… and why we were putting it out.”
NYCM’s Role in Their Journey
The supportive and collaborative environment at NYCM played
a central role in their positive experience. Interns described colleagues as
open, approachable, and eager to share knowledge. Real responsibilities, whether
developing social media campaigns or collecting and organizing data, gave them
the opportunity to apply skills from the classroom and develop new ones
essential for their future careers.
Leah shared that her time in her role developed her phone
skills, a big leap for someone who found it nerve-wracking at first. Gabrielle
said she learned the value of organization: “I’m a disorganized person, but
it’s important to make sure data is in the right place… and if you’re not sure
of something, just ask.”
According to Kerisha Puerile, NYCM Recruiter and
co-coordinator of the Intern program, NYCM Insurance is great place for interns
to immerse themselves in real-world experiences that they can bring back to the
college classroom or in their careers, regardless of future dreams and plans.
Working hand in hand with their teams, collaborating,
participating in meetings, and networking with multiple divisions and other
interns through our events helps build their business acumen and strengthens
the social skills they might not develop otherwise,” Puerile said. “It has been
a pleasure working with interns over the years and seeing the growth they have
each year they return.”
Looking Ahead
As these interns head back to campuses from SUNY Oneonta to
the Fashion Institute of Technology, they carry with them not just professional
skills, but also meaningful lessons in teamwork, adaptability, and
communication. Their time at NYCM has prepared them to take the next steps
toward careers in fields as diverse as film, public relations, finance,
software development, meteorology, and media design.
At NYCM, we’re proud to provide a space where emerging
professionals can learn, grow, and make an impact because every career journey
starts with a first opportunity. To learn more about joining Team NYCM, click
the link below!
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