"What do you want to be when you grow up?" 
This question starts when we are young and playing make-believe. Some of us had dreams of being a school teacher, an astronaut, a fire fighter, a doctor/nurse, or even a cowboy. Our desires of career choices change as our knowledge and life experiences change, ever evolving into where we are today.
After high school and/or college, we have different perspectives and dreams of where our next stop is. For example, Maurica Easler had dreams of grandeur -- she was going to get a photo journalism job with the National Geographic magazine or if that didn't work out, Southern Living magazine. Neither panned out and she went with what she knew -- what she grew up knowing: insurance. (See her career path - click: blog to check it out.)
Career Paths
Vickie Williams: I worked in claims with Kindra and then she became and agent and luckily talked me into coming to work with her!!!
Kindra Smith: My father was a mentor to me in my insurance career, and my background in claims was an incredible experience and really helped me to learn the application piece of insurance policies. I moved to sales, however, because of relationships--the opportunity to get to know my clients, advise them, and protect them in the best way I can.
Cheryle Waller: Believe it or not, I was a long distance telephone operator once upon a time. The hours I worked: 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. splits or 3:30 P.M. to 11:30 P.M. I didn't have children at the time and it didn't matter about the hours. I quit when my husband joined the Navy during the Vietnam War. When he completed his service, we returned to Columbia, but now I had a 3 year old and a 6 year old. I couldn't work the late hours anymore. I interviewed as a receptionist for a SE Regional Insurance Company and was hired. After three months, I trained as a rater and learned how to quote and issue Commercial policies and endorsements. As time went on, I took over underwriting duties and continued to do so for 10 years. I left the company to work for an independent agency and have worked in one ever since. I started September 3, 1977 and in 2020, I am still going strong. I love the company I work for, co-workers and clients. Everyday is different. I like to think of insurance as putting a puzzle together. There are common parts which are the border; the parts that are special to each policy forms the picture. You cannot get bored, because the picture cons
tantly changes.
Love what you do
No matter the path, the wandering, the time it takes to find the career for you, make sure you love what you do and it will never seem like work. Bring the passion everyday and make someone's day a little brighter.