TC Anderson IV
Underwriter/broker, Risk PlacementServices
Years at company: 16years
College: Arizona State University, '03
Organizations: AAMGA Under Forty Organization

How does technology fit into your workstrategy?
It plays a large role, but probably largerthan it should. It appears that these days, everything is based onspeed and final price rather than coverage and doing thingscorrectly the first time. Cell phones, iPads and working remotelyallow you to work 24/7, but it also means that your customersexpect an instant response, no matter the day or time.

How did you decide that insurance was a viable careerchoice?
Family. I am a fourth generation in theinsurance industry and the four generations have more than 100years of experience. I grew up with a grandpa, father and uncle allin the business and I knew that it was a rewarding career thatwould allow me to have a stable job in a great industry and allowme to raise a family of my own.

What advice do you have for Gen Ys?
Thelargest struggle that I see with Gen Ys and Millennials is theirperception that entry level jobs are not good enough and that theyshould be in management or CEO within the first 12 to 24 months. Myadvice is to be patient, work hard and learn every day. Thisindustry has been around for decades and the more that you know,the more valuable you are to the industry. Lastly, stick with theemployer who can dedicate time and money into training you. It's alarge industry, but a small world

Have you experienced “generation gaps” with carriers inpersonal interaction or their products?
Yes, I haveexperienced gaps within multiple generations. There are numerous,experienced older retail broker and company underwriters whom Ipresume are more than 50 years old. Also, I have noticed moreyounger retail brokers, right out of college. The largestdifficulty is personal interaction and making sure you can relatewith everyone.

What is an important lesson you learned when joining aprofessional working environment?
I have always beenin a professional working environment but I think the mostimportant lesson would be that if you want the respect of yourpeers, then you must respect your peers first. The environmentexisted before I arrived, so I should adapt to the culture beforetrying to change the culture.

How can an agent successfully work withfamily?
If you are going to work with family, youhave to enjoy being with your family and you have to be able to setaside personal issues. I really enjoy working with my father andwife. Don't work in the insurance industry just because your familydoes, but instead because you enjoy working in the insuranceindustry.