What's your job about?
I work for Steadfast Group which is Australasia’s largest general insurance broker network. Steadfast has numerous divisions which include Underwriting, Broking, Operations & Acquisitions and Reinsurance just to name a few. As a graduate I have been able to rotate through the above-mentioned divisions of Steadfast and so every team has had their own different duties and responsibilities. I’ve gained exposure to Insurers, Underwriting Agencies and Insurance Brokerages, assisted in board reporting and financial audits, as well as gain an understanding of the Reinsurance Markets.
What's your background?
I grew up in Sydney and attended Newington College. After I completed my HSC I then completed my undergrad at UNSW and worked in a bar throughout the duration of my degree. I had been applying for graduate jobs towards the end of degree and after a few interviews with Steadfast I was offered the role. I have been with Steadfast for 2 years now.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
I think due to the nature of a graduate program, someone with a different background could definitely work at Steadfast. As you learn about Steadfast and Insurance whilst rotating through different divisions; it really provides you with a rounded knowledge of the Insurance/Reinsurance Markets. I think the most important traits to have especially when starting a new role is to be able to work well in a team as well communication.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
For me personally it’s definitely being able to work with so many different teams under the one banner. I’ve connected with colleagues from different parts of the business; and even if you work in one team, there are many times when you’ll be working with people from other divisions. I’ve found that all of my managers from my rotations have also provided excellent feedback. It can be a little daunting starting a new role in a new industry but their feedback definitely helped me throughout my rotations. Furthermore there is a really engaging group of young professionals at Steadfast which have been a pleasure to work with.
What’s the coolest thing about working for Steadfast?
Steadfast participates in an insurance charity cricket and touch footy day annually which has been a lot of fun in the past. It’s not only fun but also a great day to meet and connect with others in the insurance industry.
What are the limitations of your job?
As a graduate, you have less responsibility compared to a senior member of a team. I have found that even with the rotations there have been periods which do get busy. I was in the finance team during the end of the financial year and so the workload did increase but it wasn’t over the top at all. I did find that towards the end of my program the workload naturally increased (due to having a better understanding of Insurance and experience) and this was a positive as it allowed me to showcase my skills to my team more.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
I think don’t stress that much about your undergraduate degree– find something that engages you and that you find interesting. I have a few friends that have gone through university and have just followed the flow and entered in courses which they didn’t find engaging at all, and they either changed or regretted it after completion. I have also found that a lot of companies today whilst a role may be, for example, finance or tech – they will still look to hire employees with a different undergrad and background.
Enjoy your co-curricular activities whether it’s a sport or hobby – I found sports helped when I was at university, especially during exam periods.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Whether it’s academics or co-curricular activities, the university is a great environment to refine your skills and learn new ones as well.