Internship Stories: Cameron Houde at Cross Insurance

Cameron Houde, a management and marketing double major from Dayton, Maine, spent the summer as part of the Cross Insurance Emerging Risk Management Trainee Program. Based in Portland, Maine, this paid 10-week summer program is open to full-time students entering their junior or senior year.

Why did you choose to intern at Cross Insurance?

I wanted to learn about the insurance industry, and Cross offers personal lines, commercial lines, employee benefits, and surety. I was able to learn about each of these departments, which was very informative.

What were your tasks?

I had to read assigned readings, write papers, create presentations, research set topics, and more!

What did you like most about your internship at Cross Insurance?

I was able to learn about multiple departments within the insurance industry, and I was able to meet various individuals on the agency side and the carrier side. It was great to have the opportunity to pose questions to people in different positions in the industry. I found everything interesting to learn about!

What are some things you learned during your internship that you couldn’t have learned in the classroom?

Everything! My whole internship was something that I could not have learned in a classroom. It taught me specifics about the insurance industry.

How do you think this experience will help you after you graduate?

I now have a better understanding of which department I would want to work in after I graduate. The knowledge and experience I developed will allow me to stand out compared to other recent graduates trying to enter the industry.

What advice would you give to other students considering an internship?

I would say to enjoy your experience and take a lot of notes. There’s a lot to learn, and having handwritten notes will be a massive help to your development. 
 
Cameron Houde
Class of 2022
Hometown: Dayton, Maine
Internship employer: Cross Insurance
Majors: Marketing & Management