WHO WE ARE.
The Importance of Networking
By Lynn Simon-Thomas
Manager, Diversity Engagement
Talent Acquisition
For some people, making professional connections can be a rather challenging and intimidating task. Then, when you throw in extraordinary times like those in which we’re currently living, the fear factor goes from, “What if I blow this because I say something silly?” to “What if I blow this because I look a mess on camera?” I know, I get it. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
One thing to keep in mind when you’re networking, whether virtually or in person, is that the other person is just that: a person. Just like you, they are a human being who has dreams and goals, family and friends, strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and, of course, quirks and idiosyncrasies that make them unique and interesting. Who knows? You may have something in common, but you’ll never know if you don’t accept the invite, phone call or email to connect.
Once you’ve made a new connection, it’s important to stay connected, even when you are unable to do it face-to-face. It’s no secret we’ve all had to get used to having more Zoom conversations than we care to count and learning how to “show up” in a virtual environment is an art in and of itself. But just about anything is possible when you focus and commit adequate time and effort.
If you stop to think about it, everyone (yes, even you) has a network. Starting with family and friends, you probably have people you can count on to help guide you with sound advice, as well as those who may periodically seek your advice. Professional networks are no different. They’re just as, if not more, important than personal ones, as they can impact the trajectory of your career path. And just like any living thing, they need to be fed and nurtured to remain healthy. As a Diversity Recruiting Manager, I regularly share articles or just send a note to my connections to say, “Hello.”
In 2021 we started a program called Just Coffee at Travelers to help facilitate network building. The goal was to connect several passive candidates with leaders at Travelers for an informal, yet professional, conversation via Zoom. To ensure both parties remained at ease, we reminded them that the conversation was not an interview, but really an opportunity to make a new connection and build their respective networks. Just Coffee has been well-received by both candidates and Travelers’ leaders, which has shown me that many people are still open to the idea of spending 30 minutes with another human, simply for the sake of getting to know someone new. That’s networking at its finest.
Networking is an art that must be practiced regularly. Below I’ve included a few tips to help you improve your networking skills.
Lynn’s Top 4 Networking Tips:
- Don’t reach out to your network only when you need something. It’s important to stay in contact with your network often, even if you are just saying, “Hello” or sharing an article.
- When someone reaches out to you, do your best to respond in a timely manner. I say “do your best” because I know we’re all busy and sometimes cannot afford to log on to LinkedIn regularly.
- Send a brief follow-up note if you haven’t received a response from someone in a few weeks. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve learned that my message was not received because the person was on vacation.
- Always be authentic with your outreach. Remember to relax, be yourself, and enjoy the meeting, whether with a new connection or an old friend.
Lynn Simon-Thomas is Manager, Diversity Engagement within Talent Acquisition. Lynn has over 15 years of experience in recruiting and diversity engagement. She serves as the diversity and inclusion subject matter expert focused on the execution of targeted diverse talent sourcing strategies.
Connect with Lynn Simon-Thomas and other Travelers leaders on LinkedIn.
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WHO WE ARE.
THE ROAD TO DATA SCIENCE CAREERS AT TRAVELERS
An Interview with Kevin Mahoney, Vice President of Data Science, Travelers
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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WHO WE ARE.
Supporting Parents and Caregivers through Self-Care and Wellness
Let’s Get Moving
The power of supporting parents and caregivers isn’t just a movement – it will get you moving. For many of us, self-care continues to be a top priority. Travelers’ Working Parent & Caregiver Resource Group introduced its latest event with excitement, focusing on employee balance through mental and physical health for everyday living. Employee Joelle Rees walked our parents and caregivers through a 20-minute ‘Balance of Opposite Forces’ class that included strengthening, stretching and meditation right from the comfort of our home office!
Say Hello to Joelle Rees, your ‘Balance of Opposite Forces’ instructor
Joelle Rees is one of our talented employees in our Claim Operations organization out of the Ontario, CN office. Joelle was on the Canadian National Gymnastics Team and competed internationally for Team Canada. In 2000, she competed as a Junior in the Pan American Games in Brazil and in 2001, she went to the World Championships in Ghent, Belgium. After her gymnastics career, Joelle worked for Imagination Entertainment and was an Acrobat in Cirque De La Mer at Sea World in San Diego.
Joelle’s passion for the arts led her to continue her journey in teaching and coaching. She has taught both competitive and recreational dance as well as coached gymnastics and sports aerobics to children for many years. Joelle is a certified personal trainer, working with adults and designing sport-specific programming for children. In addition to instructing the ‘Balance of Opposite Forces’ class, Joelle has hosted virtual dance parties for the children of the Working Parent & Caregiver Resource Group.
The Power of Travelers is Us
It is because of passionate people like Joelle that this voluntary organization can provide a supportive environment for parents and caregivers. At Travelers, we are all committed to helping our employees be healthy and productive in every aspect of life. The Working Parent & Caregiver Resource Group is just one of the many resources available to all employees and temporary employees at Travelers. Some of the additional resources include:
- Comprehensive benefits package on day one of employment
- Life Balance program available to you and your household family members
- And More!
If interested, learn more about our exciting career opportunities here.
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WHO WE ARE.
What Does Sustainability Mean at Travelers?
Yafit Cohn is Travelers’ first Chief Sustainability Officer, responsible for leading environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts across the company. Under her leadership and through extensive research and comprehensive conversations with investors and senior individuals across the company – we identified 16 drivers of sustained value, which are discussed on our sustainability website. Each driver contributes to our long-term value, and each is essential to our ability to remain competitive and deliver on the Travelers Promise.
What does sustainability mean to Travelers?
Travelers takes a holistic view of sustainability; we believe that a company’s long-term value creation depends not only on its financial strategy but also on the way it manages various economic, environmental, and social factors.
We recognize that our long-term success requires that we do three things successfully:
- Perform today
- Transform tomorrow
- Make good on the Travelers Promise and fulfill our promise to our customers, communities, and employees – take care of each other
Why is it important for Travelers to put a greater focus on these efforts?
Customers, employees, and prospective hires have been showing greater interest in sustainability-related information. For us, it’s a no-brainer. Showcasing our drivers of sustained value is key to explaining our core belief that our long-term success depends not only on our business strategy and competitive advantages but also on keeping our promise. Only by faithfully keeping the Travelers Promise will we earn the support of key stakeholders essential to creating shareholder value. And only by successfully creating shareholder value will we earn the resources we need to keep the Travelers Promise. One is not possible without the other.
How will Travelers track and quantify the success of our sustainability efforts?
Our success will be apparent when our stakeholders appreciate Travelers’ deeply rooted recognition that long-term success depends on a commitment to all stakeholders. For us, sustainability is not a branding exercise — it’s how we conduct business and create shareholder value.
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WHO WE ARE.
Cancer Survivor’s Story of Strength
Kimberly H., Senior Sales Executive at Travelers, went in for a routine colonoscopy in January 2021 and left the appointment with the news that she had stage 4 colon cancer.
“I remember waking up and finding out,” Kimberly said, “I was shocked. These things always happen to someone else, never to you. I had been healthy my entire career.”
In 2019, Kimberly’s doctor had recommended she get the scan the following year as typical proactive health protocol. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full force in 2020, Kimberly pushed the appointment off. When her doctor found out, he urged her to go in 2021. “I called my doctor right after I found out the news and thanked him,” Kimberly explained, “If he hadn’t been so professionally demanding, I probably would’ve put it off for another year.”
Doctors quickly discovered that the cancer had already spread to Kimberly’s lungs. She underwent two surgeries to remove as much as possible and was assigned six months of chemotherapy post-op. “I was fortunate to only have to go through six months of chemo,” Kimberly said, “I saw stage 4 patients who were assigned 12 months ongoing. I had bought two wigs thinking I’d lose all my hair. I didn’t. I was lucky in many ways.”
Kimberly was on medical leave for nine months during treatment and is now in No Evidence of Disease (NED) status, also called remission. She is back at work, assisting Travelers’ agents and doing what she loves.
When asked how she stayed resilient during that time, Kimberly smiled. “My team and insurance industry partners were amazing,” she recalled, “They sent me cards, flowers, emails, prayers, meals – an overwhelming amount of support. Halfway through my chemo treatments my husband said we needed a bigger refrigerator to hold all the cards!”
It wasn’t just the emotional support that assisted Kimberly during this difficult time. It was the financial support as well. “Long-term disability is a benefit that you never think you will use,” Kimberly said, “I was so grateful that I had it. I didn’t have to worry about my job or my income while I was out. I could just focus on my health.”
Travelers’ comprehensive benefits program offers short- and long-term disability coverage, medical, dental and vision plans, paid time off, 401k Savings Program with company match and so much more. “The company has been great to work with,” Kim reflected, “During my leave, they reached out and helped me understand the LTD process, file paperwork, and even connected me with cancer support groups after treatment. I am one of the biggest advocates for our benefits package. I’m so thankful for my colleagues, my agents and for Travelers.”
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WHO WE ARE.
THE POWER OF BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF
In this Power of Travelers Is Us video, you will meet Jhavier L., a Software Engineer at Travelers.
While he understands and values the importance of sharing his authentic self at work, it has been a journey to grow his comfort level. He attributes his Travelers managers and mentors for guiding him along the way.
“Being earlier in my career, I don’t want to overstep or make anyone feel uncomfortable and I’m trying to kind of like find the space between which parts of myself should I leave at home,” Jhavier says in the video. Throughout his career under the umbrella, his membership of the Travelers Pride and Allies Diversity Network facilitated mentor relationships that encouraged him to be more open with his team.
“[My mentor] is teaching me that you bring your entire self to work. So I think the true benefit of Travelers as a whole, even outside of the diversity networks, is that you still have spaces on your day-to-day job with your main team where you can feel comfortable and share who you are.”
Within an inclusive community and with the guidance Jhavier has received, he has found Travelers to be a company where he can grow his technology career and a workplace culture that invites all unique ideas, perspectives and people to the table.
“[My mentor] has helped me to understand the importance of being seen and visible so that people would have more respect for your identity in different spaces.”
Watch the full video to hear more about Jhavier’s journey.
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WHO WE ARE.
The Power of Supporting Parents and Caregivers
For working parents and other caregivers, finding a balance between the priorities of work and family is a constant challenge. Over the past couple years, many working parents and caregivers have been particularly challenged to keep up with their personal and professional responsibilities. Employees with young children may still face issues finding childcare due to current health concerns or limited availability.
During these challenging times, having the support of colleagues and access to resources has never been more important. Our Working Parent and Caregiver Resource Group provides a forum for employees to network, share tips and resources and show support for each other as they strive to balance their personal and professional commitments. Some of the support and resources include:
- Live, Hosted Events – covering a broad range of topics and activities, from quick coffee chats, to kids’ dance parties, photo shares and panel discussions.
- Real-Time Open Forum – using Microsoft Teams, this forum was created so members can collaborate with other working parents and caregivers to answer real-time questions as they arise.
- Homework Helpers on Demand – employees willing to share their time virtually with a child of a Travelers employee who needs help with homework.
The Working Parent and Caregiver Resource Group was established in September, 2020 as a result of the pandemic and currently has over 1,300 members. This voluntary resource group is led by a team of selected employees to foster a supportive environment for parents and caregivers. All Travelers employees and temporary employees are welcome to join.
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WHO WE ARE.
TRAVELERS PLEDGES TO BECOME CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2030
Travelers announced in April its commitment to become carbon neutral across its owned operations by 2030. The pledge is a key component of Travelers’ ongoing and broader sustainability strategy.
“We take a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to sustainability,” said Alan Schnitzer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Travelers. “Through this commitment and other aspects of our longstanding approach to changing climate conditions, we are addressing a risk we all face and standing up to the responsibility we have to leave a better world for our children and future generations. We are pleased with the progress we have made over the years to reduce our carbon footprint, and we are proud to take our efforts to the next level.”
The company has made significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint, cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions* by more than 40% between 2011 and 2020. Over the next decade, Travelers will achieve carbon neutrality by reducing or offsetting an additional 50,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of eliminating the impact of about 125 million vehicle miles. In this way, Travelers will be doing its part to align with the target set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement to limit the global temperature increase in the 21st century to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The company has made significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint, cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions* by more than 40% between 2011 and 2020. Over the next decade, Travelers will achieve carbon neutrality by reducing or offsetting an additional 50,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of eliminating the impact of about 125 million vehicle miles. In this way, Travelers will be doing its part to align with the target set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement to limit the global temperature increase in the 21st century to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
This initiative is the latest in a series of enhancements Travelers has made in recent years to make its operations more eco-efficient. These include, among others:
- Cutting energy consumption in half at its largest owned campus (in Hartford, Connecticut).
- Increasingly relying on renewable energy sources to supply electricity at its owned facilities.
- Ensuring all of its owned campuses are ENERGY STAR® certified.
In addition to minimizing Travelers’ carbon footprint, the company’s climate strategy includes providing risk management products and services to alternative energy businesses through its Global Renewable Energy Practice, thereby facilitating the transition to a lower-carbon economy. In 2020, the company grew this business by approximately 40%.
More information about the company’s eco-efficient operations and climate strategy is available at sustainability.travelers.com.
Reforestation Commitment
For years, Travelers has supported American Forests, the country’s oldest nonprofit conservation group, to protect the nation’s forests and promote reforestation. In April 2019, Travelers launched an important and impactful initiative with American Forests, committing to fund the planting of one tree for each Personal Insurance billing account converted to paperless billing. Since then, the company has funded the planting of 1.5 million trees in areas most in need of reforestation while lowering its paper consumption by tens of millions of pages.
The company announced that it is extending its support of American Forests and expects to plant an additional 1.5 million trees by June 2022.
“Ensuring the vitality of our forests is critical to minimizing the effects of changing climate conditions,” said Michael Klein, Executive Vice President and President of Personal Insurance at Travelers. “We are excited and extremely proud to deepen our relationship with American Forests, and we look forward to making an important contribution to the reforestation of some of the country’s most endangered ecosystems.”
“Through our partnership with Travelers, we have made a substantial impact on some of America’s most essential natural landscapes – helping to grow forest resilience in the face of a changing climate and create a better, healthier environment for everyone,” said Jad Daley, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Forests. “We are grateful for Travelers’ generous continued support and look forward to achieving this new goal together.”
Customers can opt in to paperless billing, manage their accounts and access online claim resources by visiting MyTravelers.com.
*Scope 1 emissions include those that are directly generated by the company’s activities, and Scope 2 emissions include those that are indirectly generated by energy purchased by the company.
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WHO WE ARE.
PREPARING FOR A VIDEO INTERVIEW
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Preparing For a Video Interview
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Video interviewing is becoming more common in the hiring process. Advanced technology and the accessibility of video chat apps and programs give job seekers and employers face-to-face interaction without having to meet in person.
Although your job interview may take place in a casual atmosphere, that doesn’t mean you should have a casual attitude about it. It is still a job interview, with the same implications as an in-person office meeting.
Preparation and set up for the video interview is crucial. Consider this advice as you set up, dress up and take on your next video interview.
Set the stage: Choose a quiet space where you can control the surroundings. If you can, try to avoid public places or spots with background activity. Ensure that your backdrop is simple, clean and well-lit. Face a window to take advantage of natural light or set up a lamp behind your camera. Facing the light will help eliminate distracting shadows from your face and background.
Avoid distractions by cleaning off your desk and keeping a glass of water, a pen and paper and a copy of your resume handy. Close applications that may be running on your computer or phone and set all notifications to “do not disturb.”
Tech check: Find out beforehand what app or video platform the employer would like to use and download if need be. Test the application with your internet, audio and video connections, to ensure its stability. It is a great idea to test with a friend to ensure that everything works properly.
Set up your camera at eye level, leaving 10-20% of the screen above your head empty. If your computer is too low, use books to prop it up. If using your phone or tablet, you can also use books or something stable to prop it up.
Using headphones will help prevent echos in the audio and a microphone will help your voice come through clearly.
Dress the part: You may be in your bedroom or kitchen, but you still need to look like a professional. Wear what you would wear to an in-person interview at the company, from head to toe. You will feel and act more professionally if you look the part.
Steer clear of very bright, distracting colors or prints, like stripes, that may cause a visual glitch on camera. Avoid jewelry that makes noise or causes a glare.
During the interview: Similar to an office interview, you want to convey optimism and positive body language. Maintain good posture with your feet on the floor and your back straight, with arms rested on your desk or lap.
Eye contact is essential. When you are talking, make sure you are looking at the camera and not the screen. When listening, smile and nod to show you are engaged. Use hand gestures when it feels appropriate, keeping your movements small and close to your body. Avoid fidgeting, touching your face or looking away from your device.
At the end of the interview, be sure to thank the interviewer for their time and follow up the next day with a thank you email.
If things don’t go to plan: Make sure you have a secondary way to contact your interviewer. If you lose audio, video, or internet connection, call your interviewer and see if you can continue by phone or reschedule.
If an unexpected noise or disruption occurs, simply apologize for the interruption, ask for a moment to step away, or wait for the noise to subside. Mute your microphone and secure the space before beginning the interview again.
With these tips, along with your traditional interview prep, you will be well on your way to making a great first impression.
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