Six Ways To Excel In the Comp Arena With No College Degree
The Comp arena has more than six ways to excel without a college degree. Below is a list of the Top Six, in my humble opinion.
Is there a way to excel in the WC industry without a college degree? This was a question posed to me last month when I was attending the NCCI Data Reporting conference in Palm Beach.
A college degree used to be the minimum requirement in the ’70s to the ’90s for most carriers. However, the tide changed in the mid to late nineties. There are substitutes that will help depending on your track in the WC industry.
The best to ways excel in WC without a college degree are:
- Working your way up from the bottom. This involves having the patience of a great fisherman/woman and waiting for your turn in line. Many great adjusters, agents, loss prevention reps, etc. have started at an admin assistant position and worked their way up the ladder. It is not the easiest method.
- Obtaining designations from the AICPCU institute. The classes do require some dedication to studying a certain course. Having designations will always help if you are attempting #1 on this list. Jack Keir For Success has helped me with my designations. Some designations require as little as three courses.
- Finding a mentor. One will be shocked by how much help can be obtained in the WC industry by asking. Most WC-industry workers will bend over backward to help. You can have many mentors that are experts in just one aspect of WC. However, you will need an overall mentor. I did excel in the jobs where I had a mentor.
- Having insurance industry expertise in another line of insurance. For instance, subrogation is a tricky subject as there is so little training on liability insurance. Having a former auto, GL, or other types of liability adjuster in the WC claims area- priceless.
- Obtaining your license immediately. Adjusters and agents have to be licensed in almost every state. Being licensed shows dedication and the WC insurer or TPA does not have to go through the licensure training.
- Having a good work personality.
Wikimedia Commons – David Shankbone This is the real secret out of the six ways to excel. People that play well with others are the ones that are sought out when a position is open. The person making the recommendation to hire someone may end up working with that person on a daily basis.
- Bonus – Being a professional. This shines above all else and works with #6. When you walk in the door in the morning and until you leave the office in the evening, professionalism is the key. Workers Comp can be a very high-stress job at times. Keep being professional.
Check out The Two Most Powerful Phrases In The Insurance Industry for more on this subject.
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