Class Spotlight - Michelle (Shinee) Hawkins

Name:  Michelle Hawkins

Birthday: 08/23/83

Hometown:  Jarrell, TX

Currently residing:  Sacramento, CA

Activities Involved in while at Texas A&M:  Fish Camp, Spencer Leadership Conference

What is your most memorable Aggie experience?

Revelation night for Fish Camp ’03.  I remember looking around and finally feeling like I belonged to something and understanding what it was like to be an Aggie.

How has your time at Texas A&M impacted where you are today, personally and/or professionally?

I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without my time at A&M.  I became myself during my time at A&M by figuring out what I like, what I don’t like, what I want to stand for, and what I’m passionate about in life.  The people and activities I did there allowed me to be who I am.  I wouldn’t be where I am in my career if it weren’t for the experiences
I had working at the Rec Center and activities I was involved in.  Everyone thinks I worked at a gym, but the management really gave us experiences that you don’t get most other places.  Without those, I would have
really struggled through my first few years in “the real world”, esp in the insurance industry.  Fish Camp is hard to explain to people that aren’t from A&M or Texas, but when I explain the impact it had on my life and my understanding of a large organization operation, people look at me like I’m a little less crazy.

Where can we find you when you are not at work? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend  or Sunday afternoon? 

In the kitchen or being active.  I love cooking, it’s my relaxation/getaway activity.  I cook dinner almost every night and love trying new things.  On the weekends you can usually find me in Tahoe snowboarding during the Winter, on the river with friends in the Summer, and along the coast during Spring and Fall.   Although for the past 7 months I’ve been around the house nesting.  Apparently pregnant woman shouldn’t snowboard.

Where do you work and what is your role? What most excites you about your work & the contribution you can make?

I work for Travelers Insurance as an Account Executive, aka an underwriter.  I’ve only been in this role for a little over a year but I love it!  It’s the perfect combination of technical skill and building relationships.  I’m a nerd that really
 enjoys research and continually learning, and in this role I learn something new every day.  Sometimes it’s about a
company or a product they make, other times is about state laws and ratings; you never know what you are going to learn.  My favorite part is developing relationship with agents and accounts, learning what they need and understanding what I can provide them to help them with their business.  I never would have guessed I would end up in the insurance industry, and sound like a total dork for liking it, but it’s a profession allows me to be personable, continue to learn, and help teach others.

Email address in case any of our classmates wanted to contact you? 

Michellehawkins06@gmail.com