Q&A with Amber Patterson

Amber Patterson, CISR is an account advisor with Howard Hanna Insurance Services in Pittsburgh, PA. The recipient of IA&B’s fall 2021 CISR Designation Scholarship, Amber completed her designation in just six months.

Q. You joined the agency in 2018. What prompted you to take a job in the insurance industry?

A. I’ve been doing customer service in different industries since sophomore year of high school. Insurance has been different because a lot of my experience was in the medical field. I saw the job posting, and at that time, I was just ready for something different. I was noticing people flying past me, getting settled in their careers. And I just felt like what I was doing was not career worthy. I felt like the insurance industry was definitely the route to build a career.

Q. What did you expect when you began your job at the agency? And how have your experiences over the past four years compared to those expectations?

A. I did not really expect anything except for it to be different. I was curious. I maintained an open mind and still have an open mind because insurance is so broad. I am learning new things every day and want to see how far I can go.

Q. What advice would you give others who are just getting their start in our industry?

A. The advice I would give to young and old is don’t stop reaching for the stars. You can try anything, even if you don’t have previous experience in it. Follow your dreams. Follow your gut. Follow your goals. Don’t let anyone stop your determination. And in the insurance industry, you need to maintain that determination.

Q. What’s a good selling point to recruit other young people into the industry?

A. The education and growth. In previous jobs, I was stuck where I was at. The insurance industry is different. The opportunity for growth is the biggest thing to motivate others.

Q. What is your favorite part of your job?

A. My favorite part of the job is writing and issuing policies. It feels like a little mini accomplishment. I would say that’s my favorite, after educating someone on coverages.

Q. What’s the most challenging part of your job? Why?

A. The most challenging part is having to adapt to insurance changes. The insurance world changes every day. Sometimes you think you know what is correct, but you always need to dot your i’s and cross your t’s and make sure. There are things within the agency and with insurance carriers that change, and then there are state regulations, so there’s always something new.

Q. Congratulations on completing your CISR designation in just five months! What motivated you?

A. When I got the scholarship [IA&B scholarship for a full CISR designation], I said, “I’m going to take it and roll with it.” And I did! I didn’t stop until I was finished.

Q. What was the most valuable thing you took away from the CISR courses?

A. My relationships with the instructors. My first instructor was Scott Treen, and his teaching style was amazing.

All of the courses were very in-depth and educational. When the Personal Auto and Personal Residential courses were coming up, I thought, “Oh, I know these things.” But then the content was really in-depth, and I learned a lot.

Instructor Scott Treen with Amber and other participants at the CISR - Personal Residential class in October 2021.

Q. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? (Selfishly, we hope it’s in the industry!)

A. In 10 years, I still see myself as an insurance agent. Although I see myself in a higher position; I just don’t know what that will look like yet.

Q. What’s the best part about living in Pittsburgh?

A. The best part of living in Pittsburgh is the food. Our city is very culture-based, so in any neighborhood, you can experience different food. Eating is my favorite. The restaurants and food here are amazing.