By Therése Palmiotto, commercial middle markets underwriter, The Travelers Co.

Let's face it: Most of us in the insurance industry didn't plan to have a career analyzing coverages and comparing property rates, but one way or another, we all got here. Success in this field is not just what is learned while on the job; it also depends on some of the valuable skills we picked up along the way, sometimes in seemingly unrelated experiences.

At age 14, I became very brand conscious. There were designers that I just had to have, but unfortunately my visions of luxury were not included in my parents' budget. I was the oldest of six and my parents were more concerned with feeding their children than my addiction to name-brand fashion. So I got myself a job babysitting so I could buy myself what I wanted. This self motivation, in my opinion, is the most important characteristic to possess in building a successful career–in insurance or any other line of work.

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