I have been doing this job for a long time and it would be very difficult for me to leave this industry, but chances are that I will have to. I’ve changed a few companies and I don’t think it’s much better somewhere else anymore. I came here from Rivian. Rivian is not an ideal place either.
Nevermind, is anyone else considering leaving the industry? I am interested in the experiences of those who have already done so.
13 replies (most recent on top)
I found a role as, primarily, a software trainer for a company employing about 15,000 people. I also handle some new hire training.
@avhm+1eQuJ9lz what industry did you get into?
I was a fire claims trainer and left a few years ago- voluntarily-after a successful 20 year career. I was not part of the severance, although I wished I had been.
I left the industry, but took the skills I have as a trainer and applied them to my new role. I’m in a far better situation than I left. More money, benefits, time off and comparable retirement. I left State Farm because of the train wreck I was witnessing. There is no way they’ll get that back on track.
@Happy Ex Employee. You must have gone to Carvana.
Yes. I plan to leave the industry. After the way I have been treated the insurance industry gives me anxiety and makes me feel sick to think I would have to put up with this abuse for another 20 years.
The work is hard but it can be done. The volume, and cr-p pushed down from management is the reasons claims is a he-l ho-e.
Stste Farm pays for college tuition for degrees all to find a way to get rid of that employee vs reap the benefits of their investment. If an employee is in good enough standings to get 100% of their tuition paid, they should be good enough to stay with the company and given a chance to use the degree. Why would a company waste that kind of money? Pay for the degree and then try to find a reason to fire that employee or put them on performance review. If someone can go to college and work full time, graduate with honors they can do the claims jobs. It looks as if another company will reap the benefits of the degree State Farm paid for and they will be getting a dang good employee!
I moved to a software company. Zero regrets.
My last day was a little over a week ago. I left insurance for an auto adjacent company (hint: look at who’s subleasing State Farm properties in hubs that they overbuilt).
Your transferable skill sets should apply in any other type of corporate environment. I had been at SF for almost 10 years, only worked at SF as an adult, earned a designation, etc. and was able to make the jump.
Every insurance company has implemented lean six sigma which has caused mass psychosis amongst the workforce. The company blames the employees for being “lazy” because the operating model can’t possibly be to blame since everyone else is using it. I took a 10% pay cut to go to a different industry but I don’t pay any of my health premium and the 401k match and profit sharing is much better. I relocated for this job also and cost of living is much less than where I was - DuPont OC.
Depending on your background auto repair industry is always looking for staff at various levels.
I went to work for the DOI as an investigator. Not totally out of the insurance industry but it is a law enforcement job, that happens to investigate agents, public adjusters, and bail bondsmen. It would be easy to leave the industry altogether if you no longer have a financial treadmill speed to keep up. Hard to start something from the ground up. If you can afford to leave the insurance industry and save your mental health, then go for it it. Here is something from Alan Watts - What if money were no objects?
https://youtu.be/tZ7Y1-0bNeQ
What are your skills and talents?
Likely you have a skill that could be used elsewhere.
Create your own business. Find something you enjoy if not. Best decision I made was to go into business for myself. The heavy weight of managers and meeting certain performances is gone. I charter my own destiny now and reward myself.
I'll be interested to see what comes up on this thread. I've been thinking the same thing today about having to leave the industry altogether but I don't know where to go.