Four Interns Learn Insurance

Four interns, all juniors or seniors in college, joined William H. Connolly & Co. this summer, doubling the number of young people who interned with us last year. Bill Connolly believes that the interns benefit both the students and the business. “We want interns because it is a great way to introduce young people to an exciting and challenging business,” he said. “And it is a good way to meet people who might be interested in a career with us.”

Rutherford native Elizabeth Dunn, an accounting major at Montclair State University, said she knew she would gain valuable experience and knowledge in the positive work environment at William H. Connolly & Co.“I loved everything that William H. Connolly & Co. stood for — integrity, loyalty, commitment, and long lasting relationships,” she said. “I knew this was a place where I would gain valuable experience.”  

Elizabeth added that she liked the variety of business experiences she has had here for example accounting, marketing, and research. “Whatever aspect of the business I’m working in, I’m constantly learning something new.” 

 Kyle Davis, who will be a junior at Seton Hall University and comes from North Brunswick, is an accounting major. He said he knew very little about insurance and wanted to find out more. “All I really knew was that if there was a situation and you were covered you would be fine, and if you weren’t, then there would be problems,” he said.  “I wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes, and how insurance really works.”  

At Cotsakos College of Business at William Paterson University, Michael Dykhouse studies marketing.  Because he is interested in pursuing a career in insurance, he said an internship at William H. Connolly & Co. would be “a great way to learn about the industry.” He likes seeing first-hand how an insurance brokerage operates and finds learning about the insurance needs of various professional enterprises valuable.  Mike said, “Sitting in on meetings and going on loss control inspections have been extremely educational, informative and interesting.”  

Sean Sweeney found out about the internship opportunity through Rugby Alumni at Fairfield University where he will be a senior majoring marketing.“I want to pursue a career in sales and this internship is teaching me a lot of new techniques and styles of selling,” Sean said. 

 Sean and the other interns particularly liked being included in meetings and, as Sean said, “listening to real conversations that have an effect on the overall success of the company.” He added that working with Bob Schultz has taught him “a great deal not only about insurance but how to conduct business with a wide variety of individuals.” 

The interns will be here until August 10 and have been mentored by Tom Coticchio, Kim Riter, Bob Schultz and Kim Soricelli. Kim Soricelli sees the experience as good for both interns and mentors. “Seeing the insurance world from the interns’ perspective is always interesting,” she said. “Sometimes having a fresh look at a situation really does bring valuable insights.”  

Bob hopes the experience will help them as they move forward. “Hopefully, we can prepare them for the unexpected as they formulate plans for their futures.”