Claims is proud to announce that Toby Petzel has been named the 2005 recipient of the magazine's academic scholarship. He was selected from a field of 500 students based on his outstanding academic achievements while enrolled in the Katie School of Insurance and Financial Services at Illinois State University. The program prepares students for careers in insurance and risk management through on-the-job learning opportunities and internships.

Petzel said that he had been interested in pursuing a career in insurance since high school. "I had just gotten my driver's license and needed insurance," he explained. "Like most beginning drivers, I soon had my first claim and wanted to know how the whole process worked. I really wanted to know what I was paying for since my premium was so high."

In keeping with his earlier curiosity, Petzel has begun an internship with USAA's auto claim department. "I want to familiarize myself with their processes and some insurance terms, and impress them enough to make me a job offer some time in the near future," he said, adding that he sees the intern program as an opportunity to meet and network with the company's employees.