My whole experience with the Katie School has been fantastic. A couple of my favorite moments would have to be the alumni golf outing and the 2009 scholarship banquet. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to mingle with former Katie School alums, sharing mutual experiences and learning about their careers. Playing one of my favorite sports — golf — didn't hurt at all, either. It was such an honor to attend the banquet in recognition of my two scholarships and be in the same room with some of my brightest and most talented peers.

You mentioned that you are a member of Gamma Iota Sigma. What's it like to be a member of an insurance fraternity?

That's a funny question, actually. To this day, people still look at that and give me blank stares and remark that they didn't even know insurance fraternities existed. I am very glad that I am involved with Gamma though. Being in it has really helped me differentiate myself from the crowd and get involved with the insurance industry.

This past school year, I was able to take trips to visit Chubb & Son and Travelers in their Chicago offices. They were very engaging and informative. While there, I talked to and was interviewed by top-level industry professionals and learned of their dedication and professionalism.

Jon Perry, our chapter's president, does a great job of running the program. He is always willing to talk and help others any way he possibly can. I think that trickles down and leads to the success of everyone else who chooses to be involved with Gamma Iota Sigma. This also echoes my overall experience at Katie, where my mentors are fully connected with the industry and invested in setting the students up for success.

Where do you see yourself in five years in terms of your career?

In five years, I see myself working for a great company in either underwriting or claims. Of course, I'd like to continue to pursue designations and develop my skill set.

What was the hardest decision you made in college?

For me, the hardest part was giving up college volleyball to delve deeper into my studies and fully commit to pursuing this career path. I played three years at ISU, and the sport was one of the great passions of my life. I have played sports ever since I was a little kid and it was a dream come true to be able to play in college. At the end of the day, I realized that getting much more involved with both Gamma and the Katie School was a better career decision. I have been able to stay involved with sports through intramurals. Even though it was a very difficult decision for me, I am confident that it was the right choice.