Getting onto the first rung of the career ladder is always a challenge, and in today’s extremely competitive work environment, it is perhaps more challenging than ever. That’s why internships provide such a great route into the workplace. At Crawford, our internship program proves it is introducing a steady flow of dynamic and highly-motivated talent into our teams around the world.
Crawford’s i2e (Intern to Employee) blog series features individuals who have turned their internships into full-time career opportunities at Crawford. i2e blog posts demonstrate how our internship program helps to develop valuable career skills and strong relationships within the Crawford community.
Taking the straightest route
For Connor Robinson, a claims clerk at the New Orleans branch of Crawford’s Broadspire group, an internship proved the perfect way to start a career. Born and raised in New Orleans, Connor recently graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. As he considered taking his first step into the working world, his mother, who worked for Crawford, pointed him in the right direction.
“I learned about Crawford and the internship program from my mother who is a Crawford employee,” Connor explains. “She really enjoys working here, so when she informed me about the internship program, I immediately jumped at the opportunity.”
The internship allowed him to join up with our Southern Service Center team in New Orleans. Under the supervision of his mentor, Kelly Eyster, Connor quickly found himself in the thick of things, working with colleagues on a wide range of activities.
“The internship exceeded my expectations” he says. “I assumed I was going to be given a lot of busy work, but I was pleasantly surprised because the majority of the work that I did made me feel like I was doing something that actually had an impact on the company. I was assigned many tasks during the internship, and I was trusted to get it all done in a timely manner."
Kelly’s support was also critical to Connor getting the most from the program, he points out. “Kelly was an excellent mentor! She was always there to answer my questions and was patient when I was learning something new.”
Now, having emerged from the internship with a full-time role at Crawford, Connor is unsurprisingly keen to promote the benefits of the program. “I would definitely recommend this internship program because it provides very valuable work experience that all students need before making the transition to the working world. From time management to problem-solving strategies; it’s helpful to practice these things in a real work environment.”
And does he have any advice for interns who are not sure about what they want out of their internships or careers?
“Be open to trying new things!” he says. “You’ll have the opportunity to work on all types of projects and tasks at Crawford, and the more you try, the more skills and experience you gain, which will help you decide what kind of career you want to pursue.”
The internship has certainly helped Connor settle into his new role very quickly, and he already feels like a real team player for Crawford.
“I feel like we’re all one big family,” he explains. “Any time that I need help with something, I know that I can ask anyone in the office, and they will happily lend a helping hand. I love being a part of the Crawford family and a part of something that helps people get back to living their lives following unexpected losses.”
