The role of mentorship has significantly evolved over the last 25 years, according to discussions of the ‘Young professionals: mentorship now more than ever’ forum at the Vermont Captive Insurance Association’s (VCIA) virtual conference.
Speaking at the forum, Daniel Kusaila, tax partner at Crowe, emphasised the role of a mentor is to help you consider your options rather than forcing you to stay at a company, stating that “helping someone get to where they need to be in their careers is far more valuable and fulfilling than anything I can think of”.
Peter Kranz, executive managing director and captive practice leader at Beecher Carlson, added that a mentor should not be a person you look to for definite answers, but rather guidance and advice.
He recommended young professionals in the captive insurance industry identify colleagues they trust and respect in a professional sense to approach for guidance. Kranz added a mentor relationship must occur organically with some level of connection rather than being assigned.
Since mentorship is unique and personal, the dynamic of the mentor and mentee should reflect this, according to Samantha Jones, senior captive analyst at Dynamo Insurance Company, as diversity among colleagues then translates into personalised mentorships.
Expanding on this point, Kusaila recommended young captive professionals should not have one key mentor for all issues, but rather look to different colleagues and alma mater alumni for purely professional mentorships as well as advice on how to balance work and personal life.
Thomas Myers, principal of The SyncWave Group, reflected during the forum that as a student he was under the incorrect impression that faculty would be bothered by a student wanting advice. However, he indicated that now as a faculty member himself he encourages students to discuss their academic careers.
Myers explained: “The bottom line is that people want to be asked. Humans naturally love to help other people, so if you think enough of someone to ask for their advice, they will give it to you.”
Agreeing with this, Kranz highlighted that mentoring is a two-way street rather than someone further in their career teaching someone younger, as there is value to be gained from both parties.
Myers concluded the forum by describing mentors as a “sustainable relationship” in which information flows both ways. He recommended those early in their captive careers reach out to their alma mater to access a database network of alumni, as well as take advantage of industry functions and professional development gatherings to seek out different mentors.
Captive Insurance Times features an emerging talent feature in every issue to explore the perspective of a mentorship and how it can shape careers from an individual new to the captive insurance industry.
