After graduating from college and trying to find employment in an academic or social services setting, I finally accepted a job as a claims adjuster.

Although I came from a fully insured middle class family and my dad's first cousin was our insurance agent, we never made an insurance claim. I knew nothing about claims, but was told I would be helping people, and that suited me just fine.

My starting salary was $15,500. (I was able to get an extra $500 because I had a Master's degree in sociology.) Now, more than 30 years later, I realize that some of the most enduring life lessons I carry with me came from my years in claims.

Even responsible people struggle sometimes

As claims professionals, we gain unprecedented access into the details of people's lives such as their health or personal finances. Unfortunately, it's easy to become jaded because we often see instances of exaggeration and fraud.