any former teachers change to insurance field?

newenglanddeb · 04-27-2008, 11:21 AM

[COLOR=Navy]Hi, everyone!

I'm thinking about making a change from teaching special education to kids with significant disabilities to sales, specifically insurance. Are there any former teachers on the board who'd be willing to tell me about his/her transition and whether or not they'd do it again if they had to do it over?

Thanks,
NewEnglandDeb
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Delta76 · 04-27-2008, 05:32 PM

Hi Deb,

While I'm not a teacher, I do know a few in the business and most are doing well. The two groups of people I have noticed that do really well in insurance are ex military and teachers. Building a book of business in insurance is all about relationships, working hard, doing right for people, and patience. It's not a get rich quick business. If you are working with kids with disabilities, I'm sure you have the patience piece. After over complicating this business, I've found success comes down to doing the correct behavior on a daily basis.

I would interview with a number of different companies, ask them specificially what activities need to be done on a daily basis to be successful? Then, decide if you are willing to do that each day or if you even desire to do so. Determine what your income needs are and find out how long it will take you to get there. Is that acceptable? Basically, talk to a number of people in the business and get a feel for what it will take to make it and thrive. Feel free to bounce the information you receive onto this board, we can be a built in B.S. detector for you. I would also read through the posts on this board, it will be enlightening for you.

LGilmore · 04-27-2008, 05:45 PM

Why don't you try sliding over into regular ed for a while? I honestly don't know if I would reccommend this business to you unless you are truly burned out on teaching. In special ed that can happen after a few years. Most teachers unions offer excellent benefits and if work long enough excellent pay. Can you work on a commission basis?

If you read through these posts you'll get an idea of what you have to do to make great money in this business. Are you willing to spend 60-70 hours a week until you build up renewals and a client base? That might take 5-6 years...

You can be anything you want, but I guess I would ask you if you are just tired of special ed? Could a change of grade level in regular ed be a solution vs. dropping everything and starting on a commission basis?

I have been in this business 20 years and married to a teacher for 25. She spent 7 years in special ed classrooms and moved over into elementary ed (3rd grade currently). She has taught for 30 years and about every 5-7 years a change is made that kind of revitalizes her passion for teaching.

Most people honor and respect teachers, most people loathe insurance agents.. are you sure you want that? Think about it.

newenglanddeb · 04-27-2008, 07:31 PM

No, I'm not tired of spec. ed. -- at least not the kids. I really don't want to teach anymore, but thanks for the suggestion of moving to reg. ed. I toyed with that idea, but no. Largely, this is due to the No Child Left Behind law and what it has turned education into. I won't go into all that here. Suffice it to say that I don't want any part of what the system has become and what it is doing to our kids (as in kids in the US). I'm early enough in my career that I can still change without taking much of a hit. As for people not liking me if I go into insurance, I really don't care. I don't have my heart set on insurance--I haven't learned enough of what it takes to make that kind of statement yet. My feelers are in the water, but where I end up, I'm not sure.

LGilmore · 04-27-2008, 08:42 PM

Well your looking at changing from a salaried profession to a commission profession in this case. I've had great years and I've had bad years. Can you go a month without a check?

Depending on the products you write you could have as much as 6 months from the time you write it to the time you get paid for it.. Is that something you can live with?

Insurance sales is a who can last longer business. Most everything takes time. Big cases might take several years to place from the time you start. It's a huge difference compared to what you're doing now.

NCLB will not last that much longer. Look at reg ed. special ed's biggest bogdown is the tremendous amount of paperwork that has to be done to comply. Good luck to what ever you decide.

ScotinOH · 04-27-2008, 08:48 PM

Deb, I know a few very successful sales people that are not great at sales, but they approach their clients with a "teachers heart" and that is the key to their success. People don't want to be "sold" they want to be taught about the products and services they need. With a teachers approach you will build trust easier, which will help you close more. I think you will find sales a great fit!

The Rabbi · 04-28-2008, 07:47 PM

Any great sales manager knows a teacher (the charming kind) is the BEST to hire. All I have to do is teach you the easy part - sales.

Learn about the products and all about sales. You have to have a sense of urgency. Plenty of books and free info available.