Each summer, students from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics gain valuable professional-level exposure through internships. This year, young scholars were able to traverse the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic by pursuing an array of internships, externships and other professional development opportunities. Each profile of this series will detail a Lerner student’s experiences working on business-oriented projects.
Jillian Corbett, Class of 2023 finance major with minors in economics and business analytics, spent her summer as an underwriting intern at Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty.
Lerner: How did you find out about this internship? Why did you choose it?
Corbett: I found it through a networking connection who was actually a UD alumnus! I chose Allianz because it is a global corporation that provided me with a diverse itinerary of activities and meetings daily.
Lerner: Did the coronavirus pandemic impact your internship search and working experience? If so, how?
Corbett: COVID-19 made it more difficult to network in person but ultimately a virtual environment was also effective for networking and my internship search.
Lerner: What did you learn from this internship that you think you would not have learned elsewhere?
Corbett: Working in insurance is so unique because insurance is everywhere. Through this internship, I have been able to look at world and day-to-day scenarios differently because I can look at them through the eyes of insurance.
Lerner: What is the most exciting task or project that you have done or are currently doing in your role?
Corbett: Throughout the internship, I learned about mid-corporate insurance and the risk associated with property, general liability, auto and workers compensation policies and how underwriters assess this risk.
Lerner: What is an example of a time where you were able to apply what you’ve learned at Lerner to your role?
Corbett: At Lerner, I have learned so much that helped me with my job. Presentation skills, analytical skills and many soft skills as well.
Lerner: How do you think this internship will aid you with your professional goals?
Corbett: This internship provided me with an amazing corporate experience and I will never forget it. It helped me develop into my professional self.
Lerner: What are your plans or next steps in your career once your internship is over?
Corbett: I am waiting to hear back from a few different companies for an internship next summer!