Danielle Ott: Internship Experience
Danielle
Experience Information
Employer: Jackson National Life Insurance Company
Job Title: Operational Risk and Business Continuity Management Intern
Major: Communications
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Jackson National Life Insurance Company®, founded by the late A.J. "Tony" Pasant, opened on August 30, 1961, in Jackson, Michigan. Today, the Company is one of the largest life insurance companies in the U.S. and is one of America's leading annuity writers. Jackson National Life was one of the first adopters of the independent investment mindset, which eliminated the captive agency sales force to sell through independent agents. Jackson National Life's main products are annuities for retail investors and fixed income products for institutional investors. Annuities are Jackson's biggest seller, and the company is a top sales producer in the US annually. Jackson National Life was rated the number 1 seller of annuities in the U.S. during 2014, and ranked 1st in variable annuity new sales in the U.S. during 2014. Customers choose Jackson because of our products, our speed to market, and our strong relationships with distribution partners. Jackson has earned credibility by creating specialized retirement solutions and delivering products that shape the financial world, not reacting to it or looking for the quick fix. Jackson's business is built strong with quality products, services, and financial strength.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I am an Operational Risk Management and Business Continuity Management associate at Jackson National Life Insurance Company, working for the North American Risk Team function, and reporting to the Director of BCM and Operational Risk. Business Continuity Management (BCM) is a management process that identifies risk, threats and vulnerabilities that could impact an entity's continued operations and provides a framework for building organizational resilience and the capability for an effective response. Operations Risk provides leadership and coordination to ensure and maintain a strong control environment within all operating functions of the Company. This is accomplished by assuming direct responsibility for certain key risk management and control activities, including those that require coordination within and between Operations, IT, and the other Business Units. In addition, special projects are initiated to ensure certain internal risk controls are adequately addressed, designed, and implemented. At Jackson, I coordinate projects, complete intense work on important tasks for BCM, assist in meetings, prepare communications, write press releases, monitor significant manmade and natural events, coordinate safety and security with Jackson for the company and for activities, help with new innovations for the company, assist in important decision making for the company, organize events, and collaborate with internal and external professionals in the field. I have had the chance to assist the Chief Risk Officer in meetings, assist the head of each Risk team on important projects, and learned many different roles and project management skills associated with risk management.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
With my degree path aligned in communications, public relations, advertising, and writing through GVSU, Jackson had much to offer me in my strengths and education. Jackson is an Award of Excellence winner in Campaigns, Programs, and Plans: Public Service (2014), Electronic Media: Special Purpose (2014), Print Media: Financial and Investment Materials (2014), Campaigns, Programs, and Plans: Financial (2014), Electronic Media: Green (2014), Writing: Regular Departments and Columns (2014), and Writing: Writing Series (2014). Working alongside professionals who have achieved such high rankings, accreditations, and recognition for Jackson National Life is an experience that taught me the value of working hard, collaborating with others, the importance of asking questions, and how to be a successful businesswoman. Working with others who share my mindset, and a high advancement of the skill set in the communications industry was a wonderful experience for me! I learned how to become the strong professional I want to be, how to work as a leader, how to set the pace in the industry, and how to think like an owner, not being afraid to challenge the status quo in search of a better, smarter, or faster solution.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this experience was being fully immersed into the corporate America world. It is one thing to sit in a classroom and hear a professor tell you about what he or she has done to make a difference, but it is something else to go out and do it yourself. The management team that I worked under allowed me to spread my wings, take chances, be a leader, and propel forward at a fast pace, mentoring and coaching me along the way. I am thankful to have had the experience to do so, and I believe it will make me a more successful career-driven person as well as a more rounded human being. Making important decisions on behalf of a large company was also something I enjoyed. I was allowed to sit in on very important stakeholder meetings, work alongside the most important executives of the company, and put in my professional opinion on large scale impacting decisions. It made a difference to me to see that I mattered, and to be asked what we should do next. This is an experience that I hope every young business person gets just like I have.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
My internship experience helped me realize how much I aspire to be a part of the business world, and from here on I aim to grow my future and my career around this passionate concentration for a field of work that impacts everyone. I hope to work at this company after I graduate from GVSU, and hope to reach out to others to help them see how much they are able to do with a communications degree.