Skip to main content
Journal Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Journal magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Journal Magazine on Instagram
  • Visit Journal Magazine on Twitter
  • Visit @Journal_Mag on Facebook
Visit the website of the Chartered Insurance Institute Logo of the Chartered Insurance Institute

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • News analysis
  • Features
  • Study Room
    • A-Z
    • Question and Answer (Q&A)
    • Study Room Features
  • Opinion
  • CII Radio
  • Events
  • Digital Magazine
    • The Asia-Pacific Journal
Quick links:
  • Home
  • The Journal magazine Issues
  • December/January 2021
Opinion
Soft skills

Made in your own image

Share on
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print
Open-access content 16th December 2020 — updated 10.32am 16th December 2020
Authors
Hannah Meads
web_p50_Final-Portrait-4.png

In her last blog for The Journal, Hannah Meads reflects on the people that have influenced her career to date

My time as the CII’s blogger is at an end, leaving me feeling reflective on my time in the profession to date. I will openly admit that when I first started considering careers, insurance was not one of them. I finished school not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life, but decided to give the world of work a stab until I figured it out. In doing so, I accidentally fell into the open arms of the insurance profession.

My career so far has not necessarily been straightforward. Far from it in fact. I've tried a bit of everything – from underwriting, to broking, and back to underwriting – but along the way, the consistent thing that has kept me motivated and inspired by this profession are the people. People that make the good days great, and the bad days manageable.

I am sure there are people that have not necessarily been my biggest fans, maybe even doubted me; but ultimately, they have helped me navigate to this point in my career.

In contrast, there are individuals I hold so much appreciation for and continue look up to. Those I am able to ask advice from; those who give me a kick up the backside when I need it most; and those who are my personal cheerleaders and genuinely want to see me succeed.

The consistent thing that has kept me motivated and inspired by this profession are the people

Highs and lows

Like every career, it has had its highs and its lows. Yes, there has been tears and moments where I have questioned my own ability; moments where I have made mistakes and hoped the ground might swallow me up. But there have also been many fond memories, small wins, confidence boosts, and plenty of laughs. Whatever the situation, there has always been someone to either share the burden or celebrate with.

And the best part? The longer I am in this profession, the wider my network grows, giving me the opportunity to meet people I may not have otherwise.

I have personally had the pleasure of working alongside so many incredible individuals – people that have made a lasting impression and helped shaped not only my career, but me as a person.

When trying to find inspiration for this last blog, I came across the quote: “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”

To every single person that has had an impact on my career – big or small – thank you. I am so grateful. This final blog is dedicated to you.

Hannah Meads is a Chartered insurer and assistant underwriter of commercial property at Starr Companies

 

CII_Dec_Jan2021.jpg
This article appeared in our December/January 2021 issue of The Journal magazine.
Click here to view this issue
Filed in:
Opinion
Also filed in:
Soft skills
Topics:
Broking
Underwriting
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Most-Popular

 

 

BECOME A MEMBER

BECOME A MEMBER

SUBSCRIBE TO PRINT

SUBSCRIBE TO PRINT
The-Journal_NEW.png
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
Facebook
Youtube
CONTACT US
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7880 6200
Email
Advertise with us
​

About the CII

About us
Membership
Qualifications
Events

The Journal

Digital magazine
Podcasts
Blog
News

General Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Write for The Journal
Want to receive The Journal?

The Journal Magazine is © 2020 Redactive Publishing Limited

All rights reserved.