This summer, senior Emma Vales took on New York City as a Professional Liability Insurance Underwriting Intern at Everest. This year, Emma is completing her double major in Marketing and English on the critical track, while serving as a Resident Assistant in Ryan Hall. Emma describes how her summer internship aligned perfectly with her background, combining written, analytical, and social skills.
Over the summer, Emma worked directly with architecture and engineering firms, “analyzing risk upon receiving insurance coverage applications from these firms, and completing write-ups about these companies with [her] opinion about whether [Everest should cover their claims] based on the associated risk.” Whether she was preparing an application review or presenting project updates, Emma’s proficiency in oral communication and presentation enabled clear, professional delivery in team meetings.
Reflecting on her internship, Emma emphasizes the flexibility and universally valuable skills developed within the English major. Drawing on her experience in a business-forward environment, Emma recommends to other English majors: “don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, even if you think a role wouldn’t align with your English major … It is a unique major that can lead to so many different careers because of its foundation of strong reading and writing skills.”
From the start of her college experience, Emma has valued the interdisciplinary appeal of the English major; the skills developed are crucial for careers across the arts, business, and science. Emma explains that, although English was not explicitly mentioned in her job description at Everest, “the skills I have gained from my English courses were invaluable in allowing me to stand out in the office.” For Emma, choosing English was a “no-brainer” because of how well it prepares students for any type of career.