Global Travel and Career Success: How This Alumna Built a Thriving Career in Risk Management

She earned a Master of Science degree in Risk Management and Risk Analytics from the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business on the Manhattan, NY, campus of St. John’s University.

A resident of Bayside, Queens, NY, Ms. Soderman is a Defense Base Act Claims Analyst for Starr Insurance Companies. Starr Insurance is a leading insurance and investment organization, providing commercial property and casualty insurance, including travel and accident coverage.

What are your primary responsibilities as a Claims analyst?

I provide claim management oversight to third party administrators (TPAs) for the Defense Base Act profit center. My job responsibilities include collaborating with TPAs, legal work, and underwriting to create favorable settlement outcomes for the company. My team analyzes federal workers’ compensation claims for our insureds, US government contractors working outside of the United States. It is our job to assist in navigating the claim life cycle and moving claims toward resolution. 

How did your St. John’s education help prepare you for your career and current position?

Entering the workforce after earning my degree at GSRM, I knew of how the insurance industry functions and how different departments collaborate throughout a company to provide the product of insurance to its clients. Having this prior knowledge made transitioning into my first full-time career in the industry after college much easier. My St. John’s education also prepared me for my current employment by developing my presentation, networking, and problem-solving skills.

What attracted you to St. John’s to pursue this degree and what drew you to the GSRM program?

As an undergraduate student pursuing my Bachelor of Science degree in Business at Tobin, I was required to take an Introduction to a Risk Management and Insurance course. Throughout the course, I learned about the many career options and opportunities the industry has to offer. I also learned how the industry offers job security, as insurance is a necessary part of how our economy functions. Ultimately, I found myself interested in pursuing a career in insurance after I learned how it can be engaging and fulfilling—it allows companies and industries to continuously innovate. It also provides families and individuals with security and peace of mind, knowing they are protected during a time of loss. This course is what first interested me in exploring a graduate degree at GSRM, as well as a career in the insurance industry.

Were there any other major factors that drew you to pursue your graduate degree at St. John’s?

I was drawn to pursuing my Master of Science degree in Risk Management and Risk Analytics at St. John’s once I learned about the University’s dual-degree programs. While completing my undergraduate degree in business, I had the opportunity to begin my master’s degree in Risk Management and Risk Analytics during my junior year of college. This allowed me to pursue a higher level of education while also providing the flexibility of being able to complete a master’s degree one year after completing my undergraduate degree. The dual-degree program allowed me additional time to focus on my career while also fulfilling my goal of earning my master’s degree.

Did St. John’s large network of alumni connections help you move forward with your career?

My professors at GSRM frequently connected me to alumni from the program. I was able to ask them questions about their experience in the industry and how they found the career that was most appropriate for them. They helped me understand if a risk management career is right for me. The St. John’s alumni community is always willing to share their time and experience with others.

Did you take advantage of any internship opportunities during your time at the GSRM program? 

Before my time at GSRM, I had the opportunity to intern at Starr Insurance Companies, which further encouraged me to explore the degree offerings at GSRM, especially the master’s degree in Risk Management and Risk Analytics.

You took Global destination courses at St. John’s and studied internationally. How did it shape your career in Risk Management?

As a student at GSRM, I had the opportunity to meet and network with several industry leaders and discuss their experience in the industry, as well as their opinions on current industry trends and the future of insurance.

During my pursuit of my master’s at GSRM, I had the opportunity to travel while taking the global destination course at St. John’s, Re-insurance Leadership in the Global Market. I visited the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Switzerland. During this trip, I met with several members of the industry; attended presentations with executives at companies, including Swiss Re; and shadowed an underwriter at Lloyds Bank. I was also introduced to different industry leaders during my time in the classroom.

During one of my favorite courses throughout my graduate degree program, Foundations in Enterprise Risk Management, we met with insurance executives from various companies and asked meaningful questions on industry topics. During this course, we also had the opportunity to present to industry leaders and receive helpful feedback that I have carried with me throughout my early career. These networking opportunities have shown me how the industry offers growth opportunities and is always changing.

What would you say to someone who is considering a degree from the Greenberg School of Risk Management?

The GSRM was incredibly helpful in providing me with the tools and skills I needed to enter the workforce and begin my first full-time position in the industry. GSRM focuses on preparing students for a career in the industry while also providing opportunities to network and explore different career opportunities. Throughout my time at GSRM, it was apparent that the faculty and staff invested their time in me and my career growth, making my experience there incredibly positive.

What did you like best about your experience at St. John’s?

What I enjoyed most about my experience at St. John’s was how the faculty, administrators, and staff invested their time in the growth of each student. While St. John’s is a large community, I always felt the faculty, administrators, and staff were willing to dedicate their time and attention to help me, whether it involved providing advice on coursework or my job search. The faculty, administrators, and staff, as well as the alumni community at GSRM, are always willing to provide support to students and their career journey.

How did the University’s faculty, administrators, and staff support you while you pursued your degree?

The faculty, administrators, and staff played a major role in my positive experience on campus. The Ellen Thrower Center for Apprenticeship and Career Services team set up monthly meetings to check on how my postgraduate job search was going, as well as assisted me in crafting my résumé and finding job positions and opportunities that fit my background and experience. My many professors throughout the program were always helpful in providing advice and direction on opportunities to improve my work in the classroom and offer guidance on how to advance in the industry.

Did St. John’s provide you with financial assistance to help you pursue your degree in risk management?

A major consideration when deciding whether to continue my education and pursue my Master of Science degree in Risk Management and Risk Analytics was determining if I wanted to take out student loans. I was extremely fortunate that St. John’s provided me with financial assistance to fulfill my goal of earning my master’s degree. I was a recipient of the Insurance Leader of the Year fellowship. I believe I would have chosen to attend St. John’s without financial assistance; however, it would have made a dramatic difference in my life. Without financial assistance, I would have had to take out student loans and rely on my family for additional help. Graduating college without incurring student debt allows me the freedom to move on to an independent life.

Learn more about what makes St. John’s University’s Risk Management and Risk Analytics program unique.