See What’s “Next” for Jesus Avila

Jesus Avila at his graduation from the Cincy Next program.

Jesus Avila, a production underwriter for Great American Risk Solutions, has a genuine passion for his career and community. He recently had a unique opportunity to channel this passion by participating in the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Cincy Next program. The program is designed for early-career professionals seeking personal and professional growth. See how this experience helped Jesus take the "next" step in two fields—insurance and rugby.

Why were you interested in Cincy Next?

I was interested in the program's focus on leadership, professional development and building lasting work relationships. The prospect of networking with other early-career professionals also caught my attention, and I knew joining Cincy Next was a fantastic opportunity to learn about my city and discover ways to impact my community.

What activities and events did you participate in during the program?

Cincy Next includes eight in-person full-day sessions with a retreat concluding the program. Due to pandemic restrictions last year, we transitioned to an online platform via Zoom, and the number of sessions increased to 17. Most meetings were virtual, but toward the end of the program, we moved to in-person sessions focusing on community service, learning about the city and developing leadership skills.

One of the group events was a day dedicated to assisting the staff at Gorman Heritage Farm with their preparations for a community event. It was a great opportunity to give back to my community along with my peers.

What lessons did you learn?

The program gave me the confidence to push myself harder to gain more knowledge in the insurance industry and bring more value to my work team. I think I'm more open-minded with a better understanding of building a stronger team dynamic using effective communication and emotional intelligence. Completing the program has also made me realize how passionate I truly am about underwriting and growing within the insurance industry.

What did you value most about the program?

Networking with other like-minded professionals and learning from the guest speakers was incredibly valuable. I was inspired by my peers working in other industries and the opportunity to learn from their personal experiences.

The program has taught me that although industry knowledge and technical skills are essential for being an effective leader, emotional intelligence is just as important. As a result of the program, I have gained a better understanding of the city, and it motivated me to coach rugby at Thomas More University last season. I am truly thankful for all my blessings and hope I can impact other students like me before graduating college.

What's next for you?

I intend to continue networking, gaining more insurance knowledge and building upon my leadership skills. I am currently halfway through my MBA program and on track to earning my degree by spring of 2022. I plan to continue my underwriting career and strive to gain more skills that will bring value to the company.

The opportunity to participate in Cincy Next is just one of our many career development experiences. To learn more and see our open opportunities, visit our Careers site.