Featured Employee: Tyson Hawkins
What was your position when you interned with COUNTRY Financial?
I worked as the Product Development intern in the Life/Health Actuarial Division.
When did you become a full-time employee at COUNTRY Financial?
In January 2009, immediately after I graduated from The University of Illinois.
What is your current title and job responsibilities?
Current title: Actuarial Analyst
Job Responsibilities: Some of my job responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data
to help with profitability and competitiveness studies. Essentially, I am responsible for the first
step in the process that tells our managers if our life products are still competitive with the insurance market.
This constant monitoring is needed to determine if and when we need to re-price our products. Also, I help a lot with some of
our annual processes such as Medicare Supplement pricing, and preparing data for Illustration Model Regulation testing.
What opportunities has COUNTRY given you to grow within the company?
COUNTRY gives me complete support as I work through the Society of Actuaries examination process. The costs associated
with the exam are generally covered by the company, which
is a big help! Also, I get study time at work in order to prepare for
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these exams. COUNTRY is truly making a large investment in my actuarial education. I have seen that for the actuaries that
were in the division before me, once they have gotten to a certain point in the exam process, the division begins to develop
other leadership skills through programs such as LDP and the Multicultural Leadership Program. This isn’t to say that I can’t
improve my leadership skills until I have passed a certain number of exams. My supervisor still gives me plenty of
opportunities to grow through my daily work! I appreciate the fact that she and I are very open when it comes to my
professional development, and that she gives me a chance to develop in new ways whenever it is possible.
What advice would you give other interns that were in your position just a few years ago?
TAKE NOTES! Whether it is your supervisor, your mentor, or another person or another person in your area, we are throwing
a lot of knowledge and experience your way. We understand this, but it is on you to do your best to soak up as much of that
information as possible! Also, be energetic and show interest in what you’re learning. Everyone is sure to appreciate a
hardworking intern, and that he/she can learn the business.
What do you enjoy most about working at COUNTRY?
I feel that I am in a unique position at COUNTRY. We are not the largest insurance company, but our product portfolio is still
very diverse. This gives me a chance to wear many hats in a given day. Many large companies would have actuaries only
focus on life products or health products, whereas I get to do both. Every day is a new challenge, and I feel like in the two plus
years that I have worked here, I have only scratched the surface of what I’ll learn over the course of my career.
Featured Employee: Brittany Piepenbrink
What was your position when you interned with COUNTRY Financial?
Marketing Events & Projects Intern
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When did you become a full-time employee at COUNTRY Financial?
My first official day as a full-timer was June 13th, 2011.
What is your current title and job responsibilities?
Current title: Group Insurance Benefits Support Representative
Job Responsibilities: Administration of the group insurance plans, as well as serving as
the main contact for the group vendors and employees.
What opportunities has COUNRTY given you to grow?
Moving over to human resources has allowed me to expand my knowledge of COUNTRY. Human resources is allowing me to
learn about a different aspect of the company and giving me an opportunity to meet and work with another department of
amazing people!
What advice would you give other interns that were in your position just a few years ago?
The best advice I would give current interns is that you get out of the program what you put into it. That being said, as an
intern ask questions, volunteer ideas, ask for more work, and network with your co-workers. The more effort you put into your
internship, the more beneficial it will be for you.
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What do you enjoy most about working at COUNTRY?
My favorite thing about COUNTRY is definitely how genuine the people are here. I appreciate how welcome everyone has
made me feel as both an intern and a new full-time employee. I feel very lucky that I get to come into the office everyday.
What do you enjoy most about working at COUNTRY?
My favorite thing about COUNTRY is definitely how genuine the people are here. I appreciate how welcome everyone has
made me feel as both an intern and a new full-time employee. I feel very lucky that I get to come into the office everyday and
Featured Employee: Peter Stroyan
What was your position when you interned with COUNTRY Financial?
Intern Client Server Business Support
When did you become a full-time employee at COUNTRY?
May 2006
What is your current title and job responsibilities?
Current title: Senior Project Management Specialist
Job Responsibilities:
 Performing project or program management for large, complex, or risky systems projects or programs
 Working directly with business management to define and implement business processes and systems
 As a black belt; Identify and integrate operational excellence tools in overall large project efforts
What opportunities has COUNTRY given you to grow within the company?
Over the course of five years, I have had numerous growth opportunities. When I say growth opportunities, I am referring to
growth in technical skills, leadership skills and personal development. Not only has COUNTRY given me opportunities within
the organization, they have helped give me experience in the community. Internally, I received a few certifications as well as a
participant in the Leadership Development Program. To continue my leadership and personal growth, I was also nominated
and selected to participate in the Multicultural Leadership Program of McLean County.
What advice would you give other interns that were in your position just a few years ago?
1. Work hard
2. Be curious and ask questions
3. Don’t be afraid to say I don’t know. With that said, I would also encourage you to say that you will find out.
4. Follow up with what you say you are going to do.
What do you enjoy most about working at COUNTRY?
What I like most about working for COUNTRY is that I feel that I can make a difference. Ever since I was an intern, I always
felt that I could ask questions and give my perspective.
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