February is Insurance Careers Month, and there are exciting opportunities available in our innovative and growing industry. As a recipient of Business Insurance’s Best Places to Work Award for four years in a row, Tokio Marine Highland fosters a culture and environment where employees with diverse skillsets can thrive and grow their careers.
Here’s why Michael Criswell, Fine Art Underwriter, chose a career in insurance.
Why did you choose a career in insurance?
I went to art school for my last couple years of college, and chose a program focused on the business side of the art world. One of my graduation requirements was to complete an internship. A lot of my classmates were choosing to assist gallery directors or professional artists for their internships, and I wanted to try something different. For my internship, I connected with a local insurance agent who specialized in servicing art galleries, museums, and art collectors in Chicago. The work was interesting, and it allowed me to stay involved with the art community, while also building business skills and learning the basics of insurance. After college, I was fortunate to get a full-time job at a much larger insurance brokerage that had a whole team dedicated to fine art insurance. I’ve enjoyed working in the industry ever since.
What do you find most interesting or rewarding about your role?
Every day brings new and interesting challenges. As fine art insurance underwriters, the risks that cross our desks are often quite complex, unique, and diverse. One minute you can be working with a broker on simply adding a piece of art to a collection policy, the next you’re quoting and negotiating the insurance terms for a major traveling art exhibition that thousands of people will see. It’s never boring.
What would you say to someone who may have never considered the insurance industry for a career?
My advice would be to keep an open mind. If you are passionate about something, there may be an insurance product or insurance job opportunity that relates to it. This was certainly the case for me. Plus, the learning opportunities are endless.
Discover how you can join our team and grow your career like Michael at Tokio Marine Highland. Visit our Careers page to learn more.