A Summer of Growth at National Interstate

I first heard about National Interstate while waiting in line at a career fair for another company. I was catching up with a friend, and she told me about this great internship she had last summer. She recommended that I apply, so I scribbled "National Interstate" down on a piece of scratch paper, filled out the application a week later, and the rest is history. 

My friend, of course, was right about how great the internship program is. On the very first morning, I had the opportunity to meet members of the Operating Committee, learn about all the fun activities and business sessions planned for us, and meet those in my department.  It was evident that the internship coordinators thoroughly planned and considered all the factors that allowed me and the other interns to have a high-quality experience with National Interstate.  

Department Work

Everyone from my department was eager to welcome and support me as I found my footing. I started my first couple of weeks shadowing other employees to gain insight into everyday tasks and how each person's role is an essential part of the business. Additionally, I attended all department meetings and was given some practice accounts for note-taking and analyzing important trends. Once my leaders thought I had a good foundation for identifying different types of accounts, I was allowed to review three live accounts and present them to the department. That experience was important for gaining confidence in a professional setting. It also showed me that my leaders were committed to my growth and providing me a fulfilling experience as an Underwriting Intern in the Truck Department. In all, the outstanding knowledge I gained and the detailed guidance from my leaders made a long-lasting impression on me.  

Intern Project

The intern project provides so many great opportunities to meet with people throughout the company that an intern may not typically have the chance to meet with. My fellow project group members and I had meetings with numerous departments, such as Passenger, Loss Control, Claims, Specialty, Underwriting Solutions, and Truck. This was a huge step in gaining a better understanding of the Industry as a whole. I enjoyed working with the other interns on our collaboration skills, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities. Throughout the program, we learned to rely on one another, and with time, we got to know each other as friends. 

The last step of the project was presenting to our Supervisors, members of the Operating Committee, and other employees who played a key role in supporting the project. It was extremely rewarding to share all we learned about our project topic and the unique insights we developed as a result. Everyone in the audience was eager to listen, learn, and ask questions. It showed us that our hard work was deeply appreciated and would not go to waste. After we presented, I could tell that every single intern was proud of themselves and happy to have accomplished such a large challenge. The intern project was an invaluable experience that allowed me to practice important skills in the workplace and form relationships along the way. 

Customer Visit

It's one thing to hear about the insurance industry in the office, and a whole other experience getting to visit one of National Interstate's customers. Anderson Coach & Travel gave us a tour of their company, explained their operations, and discussed safety. It was a unique experience being able to converse with the owner of a charter bus company and hear their perspective on implementing safety technology and thoughts on the industry outlook. This visit spoke volumes about National Interstate's commitment to fostering healthy relationships with its customers. The owner had nothing but great things to say about their long-standing relationship with National Interstate and how instrumental the company has been in guiding them through industry best practices and safety implementation. The customer visit reinforced the principle that National Interstate is more than An Insurance Experience Built Around You, but also plays a part in making our roads safer by holding companies responsible for their safety culture. Seeing how this plays out in real life made me feel extremely fortunate to have chosen National Interstate for my summer internship.  

Coming Full Circle

I had an excellent summer internship with National Interstate, which led me down the path to work here as a full-time employee upon my graduation from college. Every day was a new experience and a new lesson that fostered my growth as an early-career professional and gave me the confidence I needed to enter post-grad life. Hearing from leaders all over the company share their path to success and having the opportunity to network with them inspired me to work towards my goals and demonstrated the growth opportunities I could have with National Interstate. Working in my department gave me confidence in myself and helped me adjust to an office setting. All the business sessions and activities I did with my fellow interns were fun and fulfilling. I left my internship with many new connections and a fresh perspective on what I could achieve post-grad. I am glad I found my way back to National Interstate as I continue to develop my career and achieve my goals.