by SHELLY HABECKER Swiss Re
I work in life insurance. No, I’m not an actuary or underwriter—I’m an anthropologist, and it’s a great fit.
I began my career working with refugees in the public and nonprofit sectors, then spent seven years teaching anthropology courses to undergraduates, and I’ll admit that insurance wasn’t on my mind. But now that I’m here the value of my background is clear: Anthropology has taught me to be a listener, a storyteller, and a holistic thinker. I use these skills every day in my job in customer experience on an insurance innovation team.
Another thing is clear: the insurance industry needs anthropologists, even though they might not know it yet. So, if you’re an anthropologist or ethnographer of another stripe, please consider applying for jobs in the insurance industry.
To do that you’ll need to get creative about where you look for employment and how you present your skills. Let me explain.
Insurance Companies Need Anthropologists as Listeners
Insurance companies are brimming...
