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Career Progression: My journey of advancement and growth at Assurant

Kim Crego (1)Kim Crego

KC (675 × 900 Px)

Stop Looking for a Job

You may be thinking that is a very odd beginning for a Fortune 500 Company Career Site blog post, but I can assure you it will make sense after reading more.

I remember walking through the swinging door of Assurant Health in Milwaukee, WI for my Human Resources Administrative Assistant interview like it was yesterday. ‘Yesterday’ was 18 years ago. I was a stay-at-home Mom for almost 2 years when I decided to return to the workforce, so I was eager to put my best foot forward. I met so many great people during the interviews I had that day, interviews that felt like conversations with old friends. What struck me was recognizing how different I felt walking back out that swinging door. I felt energized about all I had learned and about the individuals I would potentially be working with. It was no longer ‘just a job' I had applied for. It was an opportunity I wanted. An opportunity within an evolving organization that presented growth along with a strong collaboration embracing culture.

Create Your Own Path

During my 18 years with Assurant, I have seen those growth opportunities come to light in several other positions within Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. I began my Assurant journey as a Human Resources Administrative Assistant, moving into an HR Coordinator role in 6 months. I spent 5 years in the HR Coordinator and Talent Acquisition Coordinator role before moving into the Talent Acquisition Consultant (Recruiter) position. This allowed me to learn more about the business while partnering with many business leaders throughout the company and identifying and hiring strong, diverse talent into the organization.

I then rerouted after 5 years and moved into the Talent Acquisition Analyst role for 4 years before being promoted into my current role as a Sr. Talent Acquisition Analyst. To say I have learned a lot would be an understatement. I have gained greater insight and analytic perspective of Assurant’s Talent Acquisition efforts. I have also had the privilege of working with many of our Global Assurant colleagues in the UK, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Argentina. Assurant has given me the ability to collaborate with many business areas and so many incredibly talented and success-driven individuals. To this day, several of my most cherished friendships developed from a working relationship that began at Assurant. 

Change Is Inevitable – Growth is Optional

Before starting with Assurant, I wasn’t prepared for the numerous changes ahead of me when taking on new career growth opportunities, the transition of new leadership, and system changes. Initially, this was quite challenging as I was not a champion of change.

The word ‘change’ often conveys a sense of uncertainty or can bring a negative connotation. But what I came to realize over time, was that all those changes were the pathway to the opportunities to learn and grow and push me outside my comfort zone. That is what energized me during my interviews. Every opportunity I have had with Assurant has done just that which has allowed me to embrace change today.

The People

When I am asked what I like most about working at Assurant, my immediate response is ‘the people’. I’m not alone. But what does ‘the people’ mean? To me, it means I’m surrounded by supportive, collaborative, engaged management and colleagues across the business. It means my colleagues are diverse – in every possible way, bringing new perspectives and creative, innovative ideas to Assurant’s purpose. It means I genuinely care about the individuals I work with and Assurant’s unique culture.

When you are surrounded by personable, talented leaders and dynamic, engaging colleagues who support your success while driving Assurant’s goals, it is much more than a job.

So, when I said earlier, ‘stop looking for a job,’ I meant it because, for me, the search stopped with Assurant nearly two decades ago. Instead of looking back, I’ve moved forward for my love of what I do and for Assurant investing in talent and growth. I believe my work makes a difference, and I couldn’t be luckier to work alongside colleagues just as passionate about Assurant’s mission as I am.

If this sounds like a place you would thrive and grow in, look for your next opportunity here!  

Kim Crego (1)

Written by

Kim Crego

Sr. Talent Acquisition Analyst

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