Salomé Santos is an insurance specialist. Studying at CCLS helped her stand out in the insurance industry. Salomé shares her profile on International Women's Day.
I am an insurance product specialist and client advisor at Marsh, currently within the Aircraft Finance Insurance (AFIC) team. I am responsible for the placement, negotiation and management of the Aircraft Non-Payment Insurance on behalf of global financial institutions.
Studying for an LLM in Insurance Law helped my career in two very important ways: It ignited my passion for the insurance industry, which gave me a clear sense of direction professionally, and it allowed me to demonstrate that I had the required knowledge and expertise to thrive in this industry. This qualification has definitely helped me stand out in the insurance industry.
My memories of my time at CCLS are still very vivid despite all the years that have passed. I remember how positively surprised I was with the teaching. It was so different from what I was used to coming from a Civil Law background. I felt very close with my professors and we had interesting discussions and interactive classes. I also remember studying in the various libraries and campuses across London, which made me feel very privileged. I miss the general feeling of connection with my colleagues and friends who were also new to London and had all these aspirations for the future.
My main recommendation to other women would be to invest time in networking. People more naturally connect with those that look or act like them and that can feel like a disadvantage if you don’t see many people similar to you, especially at higher levels. Dedicating yourself to learning and developing your networking skills is fundamental, especially for women as this may be a skill that we have not acquired in earlier years. I found it to be one of the most relevant tools for my career, and I wish I had done it from day one when studying.
Corporate culture is changing a lot when it comes to gender equality. Make sure you look at the company’s Diversity & Inclusion strategy when researching for a new employer. Competitive family-friendly policies, a diverse workforce and a truly inclusive culture will contribute materially to the career advancement of a company’s female talent. It will also lead to more innovation and higher returns. Otherwise, my message for you is to be proud of your accomplishments and always support other women!
A few women have inspired my career, especially in a male-dominated industry like insurance. In particular, I am very inspired by my current manager who is an amazingly intelligent professional and a true advocate for women’s equality in the work place. We are different in our way of thinking, but I always learn from her suggestions and feedback. It’s very important to feel supported and heard. She is a real role model, and that has made me a better professional.
Would you like your story featured? Contact ccls-alumni@qmul.ac.uk.