Society Insurance earns Best Internship Programs honor

Cheryl Hentz

Contributor

September 23, 2024

FOND DU LAC – Internships can be a vital bridge between academic learning and professional careers – offering college students and recent graduates the chance to gain practical experience in their chosen fields.

These opportunities also allow interns to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, develop essential skills and build valuable professional networks and connections. 

Rose McPhee, senior human resources generalist and internship coordinator at Society Insurance, said the niche insurance carrier understands the importance of internships.

For more than 15 years, McPhee said the company – which writes policies for businesses in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Tennessee, Colorado, Georgia and Texas – has enjoyed the benefits of a robust and successful internship program.

Recently, McPhee said those efforts were recognized by Employ Humanity, a leadership-development and culture-design company based in Plymouth – naming Society’s program one of the 10 Best Internship Programs in the country.

According to Employ Humanity, the Best Internship Programs award identifies employers that offer the top internship programs in the United States for current college or university students and recent college graduates to start a career, and grow and thrive as business professionals.

McPhee said internships are a valuable win-win opportunity for everyone. 

“An internship program provides valuable benefits for both participants and Society,” she said. “For interns, it offers hands-on experience, skill development, industry insight and the chance to explore career options while building a professional network. Interns gain practical knowledge, boost their resumes and may even secure future job offers.” 

McPhee said through internships, young folks are able to tap into their full leadership potential. For companies, she said, internships provide access to upcoming talent, cost-effective labor and the opportunity to train potential future employees.

“Interns bring (innovative ideas, fresh) new perspectives and help increase productivity while contributing to a positive company culture and brand reputation,” she said. “Overall, internships foster mutual growth and long-term success.”

Today’s workforce is seeing many baby boomers retiring and employees seeking a greater home-work balance in their lives.

So, for Society Insurance, McPhee said cultivating the next generation of insurance professionals is a top priority. 

By working closely with interns across various departments – from client claims to underwriting – she said Society equips them with the essential skills and knowledge needed to flourish and prosper in the industry.

This commitment, McPhee said, not only benefits the interns but also helps Society Insurance build a diverse and talented team, ensuring continued growth and innovation. 

Beyond that, by investing in their internship program, she said Society is contributing to the development of insurance leaders, promoting social responsibility and building a robust talent pipeline.

Even if they don’t go on to secure a position at Society, or even work within the insurance industry, McPhee said interns gain invaluable knowledge and insight into the professional world in Corporate America.

Internships benefit colleges, universities

Though not all internships are paid – according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers about 40% are unpaid – recent research shows paid internships can be a powerful tool for increasing wages or salaries and creating confidence about careers and career choices. 

A 2022 study from Strada Education Network – entitled “The Power of Work-Based Learning” – showed college or university students who completed a paid internship during their undergraduate years were working in higher-paying jobs after graduation, approximately $3,100 more in just the first year after graduation – even when taking into account any differences in pay based on their field of study, gender and race/ethnicity. 

The study pointed to paid internships as being a powerful way for schools of higher education and employers to work together to improve post-graduation outcomes. 

McPhee said Society offers paid internships, based on market analysis, in all nine states where it does business.

For the 2024-25 school year, she said Society will be offering 14 paid internships company-wide.

A long history of developing new talent

McPhee said Society Insurance debuted its internship program in 2007.

Since then, she said more than 140 college students have completed summer or full-year internships in various departments throughout the company, including: 

• Accounting
• Actuarial
• Facilities
• Human resources
• Information technology
• Marketing
• Property, auto, and liability claims
• Underwriting
• Workers compensation

McPhee said Society Insurance offers flexibility regarding the duration of the internship.  

“The duration of the internship can vary from the flexibility of the student’s academic schedule, as well as the business need – and we work collaboratively together for the best ideal outcome,” she said.

Interns at Society Insurance, McPhee said, are very hands-on.

In addition to regular job responsibilities, she said interns also participate in numerous activities, presentations and classes to grow their knowledge about the company and the insurance world.

They also schedule at least one job shadow.

Is there a job at the end of an internship?

Many companies that have an internship program will offer a select number of interns a permanent, full-time position when they graduate or the internship program concludes.

Many interns at Society, McPhee said, earn job offers upon graduation.

Others, she said, may go on to work at other companies but come back to Society as their careers advance. 

“The prospect of being hired full-time provides a strong incentive for interns to excel – as it offers the chance to secure stable employment with a company they are already familiar with,” she said. “This opportunity not only rewards their hard work but also allows them to continue growing professionally in a supportive environment where they’ve already built valuable connections and gained experience.”

McPhee said additionally, Society Insurance offers a Student Loan Reimbursement program, “which is a valuable benefit that helps employees reduce their financial burden by covering a portion of their student loan payments.”

“This incentive not only alleviates debt but also attracts and retains top talent, showing a company’s commitment to supporting the long-term financial well-being of its workforce,” she said.

Transitioning interns into full-time workers at Society Insurance, McPhee said, is a “seamless shift.” 

“Successfully transitioning interns into full-time positions is a testament to their performance and cultural fit within the organization,” she said. “(This) allows the company to retain skilled talent who are already familiar with its operations while providing the interns with a clear pathway to career growth and long-term professional success. Society Insurance enjoys a 25% placement rate coupled with a 70% retention rate of interns hired-on who are enjoying a career path at Society Insurance.”

Today, McPhee said more than 5% of Society’s employees are graduates of the company’s nationally-recognized internship program. 

She said Society seeks a diversified internship program – recognizing that an internship program that actively seeks diversity fosters a more inclusive and dynamic environment and brings together individuals from various backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.  

“By attracting interns with different cultural, academic and personal insights, companies can drive innovation, creativity and problem-solving,” she said. “Diverse teams are more adaptable and better equipped to understand the needs of a global customer base.”

McPhee said additionally, such programs promote equity by providing opportunities to underrepresented groups, “helping to bridge the gap in access to professional experiences.”

“Prioritizing diversity in internships not only strengthens the workplace but also builds a (stronger), richer, more inclusive company culture,” she said.

All work and no play – not at Society

Beyond their work, McPhee said interns are invited to Society’s company picnic, along with the end-of-summer intern event where Society celebrates their hard work and commitment.

“This celebration at the end of a summer internship is a meaningful way to recognize the hard work, growth and contributions of our interns while closing their experience on a positive note,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for both the company and interns to reflect on their accomplishments of the program, whether through a special event, informal gathering, or a presentation of completed projects.”

McPhee said these kinds of celebrations foster a sense of achievement for the interns, highlight the value they’ve brought to the team and strengthen the connections they’ve made. 

“For the company, it reinforces their commitment to nurturing young talent and creates lasting memories that can inspire interns to remain engaged with the organization in the future,” she said. “Overall, this reinforces one of Society’s core values of having ‘Fun.’”

Madison Conery, a 2019 claims intern, now a commercial underwriter II at Society, said the company’s culture and atmosphere caught her attention right away.

“Everyone was extremely helpful and wanted me to find the right career path,” she said. “I could tell this was a place I wanted to work at long-term.”