Big Plans for a New Career

[JakefromSF]

Hello All,

I'm in the process of obtaining my Health/Life licenses at the encouragement of my wife who is also in the process of changing careers. Currently I'm a correctional officer w/ a military background (13 yrs.), some college (2 classes from an AAS, but I have over 100 semester hrs. in various subjects), and I've had enough "excitement" in my life. I've been lurking on the boards since I took my first health insurance class and I'm pretty excited about the potential that this field can provide, but more importantly I like that I can help people that I find are in need or those that find me. I look forward to learning from those that are willing to share their experiences and hopefully working with a few of you in IL and the surrounding states.

 

[tins]

Hello All,

I'm in the process of obtaining my Health/Life licenses at the encouragement of my wife who is also in the process of changing careers. Currently I'm a correctional officer w/ a military background (13 yrs.), some college (2 classes from an AAS, but I have over 100 semester hrs. in various subjects), and I've had enough "excitement" in my life. I've been lurking on the boards since I took my first health insurance class and I'm pretty excited about the potential that this field can provide, but more importantly I like that I can help people that I find are in need or those that find me. I look forward to learning from those that are willing to share their experiences and hopefully working with a few of you in IL and the surrounding states.

Welcome to the forum.
You aren't at Taylorville correctional facility, by any chance, are you?
I'm going there on Monday to visit a buddy. I'd be happy to chat with you for a bit about the insurance industry.

 

[JakefromSF]

Welcome to the forum.
You aren't at Taylorville correctional facility, by any chance, are you?
I'm going there on Monday to visit a buddy. I'd be happy to chat with you for a bit about the insurance industry.

No Tins, I'm not at Taylorville. I might still have a few buddies that work there, but I'm up north at Stateville. If your buddy works in corrections, then I'm sure that he can tell you why someone like myself wants to get out.

 

[rccola]

Hello All,

I'm in the process of obtaining my Health/Life licenses at the encouragement of my wife who is also in the process of changing careers. Currently I'm a correctional officer w/ a military background (13 yrs.), some college (2 classes from an AAS, but I have over 100 semester hrs. in various subjects), and I've had enough "excitement" in my life. I've been lurking on the boards since I took my first health insurance class and I'm pretty excited about the potential that this field can provide, but more importantly I like that I can help people that I find are in need or those that find me. I look forward to learning from those that are willing to share their experiences and hopefully working with a few of you in IL and the surrounding states.

Sounds like you and I come from the same background. Best of luck to you. When I left the LE world, I haven't looked back. Which company are you joining up with?

 

[pcbinsurance]

Welcome to "Jake" and RCCola and I thank you both for your service to this great country. Your background should only help you succeed in this business.

There are many old "vets" on this Forum that will assist you along the way so don't hesitate to ask or private message us.

Good luck in your new career!

 

[xrac]

Good luck but it is tougher than you think!

 

[JakefromSF]

Sounds like you and I come from the same background. Best of luck to you. When I left the LE world, I haven't looked back. Which company are you joining up with?

rccola, thanks! It's good to know that someone else made it out of the LE world and has done good enough to not look back. I'm currently interviewing with Modern Woodmen.

Welcome to "Jake" and RCCola and I thank you both for your service to this great country. Your background should only help you succeed in this business.

Thank you pcbinsurance! I'll definitely keep your advice in mind.

There are many old "vets" on this Forum that will assist you along the way so don't hesitate to ask or private message us.

Good luck in your new career!

Good luck but it is tougher than you think!

Thanks xrac! I appreciate your advice, but I'm not going into this with rainbow glasses on. If it were easy, then the profession would be higher on the list of best occupations and there would definitely be more people doing it. My background should tell you that I generally don't take the easy road.

 

[xrac]

rccola, thanks! It's good to know that someone else made it out of the LE world and has done good enough to not look back. I'm currently interviewing with Modern Woodmen.





Thanks xrac! I appreciate your advice, but I'm not going into this with rainbow glasses on. If it were easy, then the profession would be higher on the list of best occupations and there would definitely be more people doing it. My background should tell you that I generally don't take the easy road.

I do not say that to be discouraging but to be realistic. If you and your wife are in the middle of career changing at the same time it can be very stressful mentally and financially. Less that 20% of the people who start in this business are still at 3 years later.

 

[JakefromSF]

I do not say that to be discouraging but to be realistic. If you and your wife are in the middle of career changing at the same time it can be very stressful mentally and financially. Less that 20% of the people who start in this business are still at 3 years later.

I understand, and I didn't take offense to your comment. I was just letting you know that I realize how challenging this field can be. I still have my current job with a pretty decent amount of OT available. On top of that, Modern Woodmen takes their time with you to make sure that you want to step into the field, you're the right candidate for them, and you know what you're getting yourself into. The title of the thread may state that I have big plans, but that remains to be seen by my learning curve, the support that I receive from the company, and my ability to put it all together. I realize that I just may fail, but there's a possibility that I just might succeed too; I'm leaning towards the latter. The stat that you gave is just what I was told at my initial interview - extremely daunting, but not enough to make me give up before even trying. If it doesn't work out, we'll (my wife & I) figure something out. I'll give it my best shot, ask you guys for plenty of advice, and keep an open mind.

 

[Bwell86]

Best of luck to you! My home base is Springfield IL, but I do travel throughout central IL.

I'm in my third year. My second year was really tough, but that was because I did not spend my first year learning to truly prospect. I was relying and friends and family. Once that dried up, I was faced with really making this a career or quitting.

Once I got my head out of my butt, I worked hard and almost finished my second year as well as my first year was. My advice is to learn to prospect and always be prospecting. Good things will happen when you keep do it!