Have you ever considered a data science career within the insurance industry? This may not have crossed your mind before, but you may want to think again.

Kevin Mahoney, Vice President of Data Science at Travelers, understands the data and analytics that drive business decisions within the insurance industry and appreciates the innovative technologies used by our teams at Travelers that help provide the right solutions for the lives and businesses of the customers we’re privileged to serve.

Kevin appeared on an episode of The Data Standard Audio Experience podcast to answer the question: “What is data science like in the insurance space?” He described how the law of large numbers and predictive modeling connect to the world of insurance.

“I don’t have to predict exactly what will happen to any one customer, but I really have to be able to accurately predict what will happen in aggregate to millions of customers so I can adequately price insurance policies,” Kevin said during the interview.

He also shared his unique career path from serving in the U.S. Coast Guard to working as a math instructor at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and then onto his 15-year career in data science at Travelers.

“I remember having a conversation with a recruiter at Travelers and he asked me what I wanted to do, and I said I want to do something with statistics,” Kevin recalled.

He went on to say he wasn’t initially sure how statistics fit into insurance but has since learned that data and analytics are central to the industry and having the ability to apply his skills to practical applications has provided a rewarding career path at Travelers.

“You know when it all comes together: the math, the theory, the programming skills, the business challenge, that can be very gratifying to bring all those together and apply your skills to real-world problems.”

Are you a data scientist or a future data scientist considering an insurance career? Listen to the full podcast to learn more about the intersection between data science and insurance at Travelers.

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