Insurance Industry is Insurance Industry is information intensiveinformation intensive

8,000 Companies

3 Million People Employed

State Farm has over 5,000 IS employees

Insurance IS PositionsInsurance IS Positions

• Business Analysts• Systems Analysts• Project Managers• Project Planners• Testing Coordinators• Training Analysts• Object Developers

• Hardware Specialists• Interface Design

Specialists• Systems Designers• Security Analysts• Database

Administrators

Business Analyst = Internal ConsultantBusiness Analyst = Internal Consultant

Solve business problems through technology

Research, define and document business requirements

Understand current and future processes

Liaison between the business users and technical developers

Business Analyst = LeaderBusiness Analyst = Leader High level of responsibility Facilitate meetings Research existing processes Explore new technologies Document solutions Test and Train users Have a party once project is implemented

Systems AnalystSystems Analyst

Coding/Training in the following:– Cobol / PL 1 / C++– Java / Visual Basic– Mainframe/Windows based applications– Web development (XML,ASP)– E-Commerce

Advantages of Working In Advantages of Working In Corporate IT ShopCorporate IT Shop

Change careers within the same company

Flexible travel opportunities

One Day at Work One Day at Work 8 – 8:15 Stop at Company Bank to refinance my car.9 – 9:30 Meet internal client (claim dept) 9:30 – 9:45 Submit the select-a-gift request (finally)10 – 11:15 New project kick-off meeting11:30 –12 Lunch & Learn speaker “Asian Cultures”12 – 12:10 Return books ( overdue ) to SF Library

12:10 – 12:30 Walk Around the Lake (Daily Relaxation )

12:30 - 1 Have internal client review my 2nd draft of a memo1 – 1:15 Enroll in Dale Carnegie success class ($1245)1:15– 2 Meet manager – performance review 2:15 – 2:30 Call Chinese co-workers about cheap air tickets 2:30 - 3:00 Confirm project tasks with internal client3 – 4:00 Write Charter, Requirements -- (Hide in a room) 4:15 Go home – ( Leave lights on! )4:30 Stop at Wal-Mart and buy a cement mixer (toy) for my

5 year-old son (tomorrow is his birthday)6:00 Attend picnic at State Farm Park

Job TrainingJob Training

Formal Training for entry-level employees Business Analyst System Education (BASE) – 4 weeks

Customized Systems Analyst Training (CSAT) – length varies based on the system analyst skill level

On the Job Training – In-house classes– Actual work

Mentoring– Knowledge Mentorship– Career Mentorship– Informal Mentoring

Commitment to ExcellenceCommitment to Excellence25th in Fortune 5002nd in top 100 IT ShopsTop 50 companies for Diversity (DiversityInc.com)

Insurance and Banking #1 Auto Insurer #1 Homeowners Insurer Top 10 Life Insurer To be # 1 Financial Services

Training and work satisfaction

COMPUTERWORLD 2002

Common MisconceptionsCommon Misconceptions

I will sell insurance

I must have an insurance background

I can’t move up in a large company

Systems ProfessionalsSystems Professionals

Enthusiasm - “Can Do” Attitude

Problem Solving Skills

Technical Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Work in a Changing Environment

Who Should I Contact?Who Should I Contact?

State Farm Insurance CompaniesHuman Resources Recruiting3 State Farm Plaza, K-1Bloomington, IL 61791

Need more information? Visit our web site!

http:\\www.statefarm.com