Today i had the opportunity to go to lunch with the p & c branch in Salt Lake City. I went with the other Salt Lake interns, the ones i had the opportunity to meet in Chicago. It was a great little reunion and so fun to see them and chat up about the old days in Itasca…Man, the memories. We had a fabulous lunch at the Hidden Valley Country Club nestled up by the wasatch mountains over looking salt lake valley. Then we went to their offices and took me around to meet everyone. Even though our offices are on the same team, (us being GBS and them being PandC) the lifestyle and environment is soooo different. Our office is tiny with about 7 employees, their office is larger and have around 20. It was nice to see the differences in the divisions. I miss all the interns I had the opportunity to meet in Itasca. I wish you all the best, and enjoy the rest of the summer!

- Libby

During this internship I have learned many key components to working in a successful corporation. Things ranging from insurance lingo to not having a panic attack when i ride with one of our producers (name will remain anonymous) because he drives at top speeds while emailing on his blackberry, putting on his tie, and weaving in and out of traffic. But the most beneficial skill that I have picked up from this internship would have to be my communication skills. I have been able to fine tune my public speaking skills when I was in Itasca, as well as communicating my ideas at business meetings while setting up our new website. Communication is essential to a successful business and I am thankful that I have been able to practice my communication skills this summer because it is definitely something that I will take with me for the rest of my professional career in the future.

- Libby

I have gone through various phases in my life where I have been 100% sure what I wanted to do for my career. In Kindergarten I wanted to be an astronaut. I was dead sure. Then I heard that you get really motion sick in space and then crossed being an astronaut off of my list. After that I wanted to be a “rescue rider” for injured pepople in the rodeo- and then I started protesting rodeo’s because of the animal cruelty. I also wanted to be a marine biologist because i love dolphins, but quickly realized how scary and unknown the sea can be… anywho it just goes to show that I have yet to make up my mind about what I want to do for my career. Currently I am a business/marketing major at Westminster college and have been satisfied going through the business program there. The fast pace life-style, technology, money, information, and communication aspects of business appealed to me. I know  that I want to do something in a business related field..but I need to fine tune what that is.

 Being an Intern at GBS has been quite helpful in honing in my business skills. I have been able to see first-hand how a successful company functions. I have had opportunities that have opened up new aspects of the business world for me to sample (i.e Chicago, business meetings, prospective client meetings, renewal meetings, benefitpoint data entry, quote running, etc.) I have learned from GBS, Chicago specifically- that there is a huge opportunity in the insurance industry for young people like myself. I do believe that there is, and that I could make a great career out of this. On the other hand, I am 21 and feel like there is so much more to explore. I am not passionate about the insurance industry..yet. Whatever career path i choose i want to be passionate about it and be excited to come to work in the morning. My mom always told me to choose a career that I would be willing to do without getting paid- thats when you know its the perfect job for you. Being an intern at GBS has gotten my ‘foot in the door’ of the business world and I hope it will open many doors in the future for me as well.

- Libby in GBS Holladay, Ut.

From the coference call last Thursday- our assignment was to write a short blog about our weekend….Having Friday off was a treat for sure! I went to a waterpark during the day and then went to a BBQ, and watched fireworks in Sugarhouse Park in Salt Lake City. They were spectacular! Then on Saturday, I drove up to my hometown (Logan, UT.) and went to the “cruise-in” which is an annual parade and car show with old fashioned cars. It’s pretty huge ever year, and although i’m not a car buff by any means, it is still fun to watch.  People come from all over the country to show off their cars. More BBQ’s later that night, and hung out with friends from home. The rest of the weekend was pretty low-key, just spent some time with friends and family from Logan. It was a great long weekend.

 - Libby

Now that the business trip is over, and all the interns are back hard at work at the individual branches- its hard not to miss our week in Chicago. But, work needs to be done and this is what I am currently working on in Utah. My first week at Gallagher, I attended a two day training on BenefitPoint. This has been quite helpful because it is a complicated system to use at first, but once you start entering data it gets easier and easier. Since we are a recently purchased company, we have been taking all of our clients’ folders, and entering their benefits, rates, and claims data into this new system, BenefitPoint.  This is basically the meat of what I’ve been doing this week. It is tedious work but time flies by when I’m entering data. I have also attended a couple of conference calls during the week as well. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week and a fabulous weekend.

 - Libby in Holladay, UT

A few photos from my trip to Chicago:

Millenium Park

P S Bangkok

Last week in Itasca was such a geat experience. I was so glad to have had the opportunity to meet all of the other interns, makes some really great friends, and learn more about the history and different services that Gallagher offers. I also gained a better knowledge for the insurance industry as a whole. Now when i work back at my branch in Holladay, Utah I won’t be as confused as to what is going on. I gained so much from the lectures, and guest speakers. Not to mention Chicago is an awesome city!

- Libby