From intern to consultant, Kate Coppinger's career at Lockton reflects the power of curiosity, hard work, and mentorship. She began her journey as a Marketing and Operations Intern with the Producer Lifecycle team in Kansas City during the summer of 2022. She found a pivotal mentor in Julie Gibson, now Lockton's Chief Marketing Officer, who guided her through her early career decisions. Her journey led her to Chicago, where she explored client-facing roles and now thrives as an Operations Consultant with the Midwest Growth and Operations team. "Lockton's commitment to developing Associates and empowering their success is unmatched," Kate shared. "At Lockton, you can truly carve out your career path." Learn more about her journey and the lessons she's learned along the way in her own words. --- Can you share your journey from a Marketing Intern to a full-time Associate at Lockton?  Once I realized that I wanted to continue my career full-time at Lockton, I began having conversations with various Associates and leaders in the Kansas City and Chicago offices. I wanted to learn more about each of the different early career opportunities in People Solutions and Risk Solutions and evaluate what would best fit me. I also wanted to investigate if the same Lockton culture in Kansas City was present in Chicago. I decided to travel to the Chicago office to see if it was the right fit for me and meet with a few Associates. There, I met the president of the office and a former People Solutions intern turned Account Executive. By the end of the day, I could see myself thriving in Chicago with Lockton. All my conversations with Lockton Associates were paramount to my decision to continue at Lockton. They were a testament to Lockton's commitment to the development of Associates and the opportunity for personal and professional growth.   What lessons have you learned as you've transitioned through different roles at Lockton?  Lockton is a dynamic organization open to cross-functional promotions and transitions. I am a direct example of this, and I have seen many others go on their own journey here. I have learned the importance of openly sharing my interests and passions with my managers. I would not be in my role now if I didn't speak up. At Lockton, you can create your own career path that supports your passions – you are not stuck in one specialty or department forever.” Hard work pays off. Lockton appreciates drive and work ethic. Associates are recognized and rewarded accordingly. Lockton values those who are involved not only in the market and within our organization but also in our communities.   Lastly, and arguably most importantly, I have learned to be a student of business. Staying curious, asking questions, and understanding the 'why?' have all helped me progress in my career. Being a student of business is to be a lifelong learner.   What sets Lockton apart from other organizations?  Lockton is a flat organization. There are no barriers to accessing leadership or managers. In fact, leadership is more than willing to connect individually with Associates to understand how they can improve their lives and responsibilities. At Lockton, Associates truly are our most valuable asset.  What has been your "Lockton Moment" — a time when you knew Lockton was the right place for you?  I knew Lockton was right for me during my time as an intern. I felt welcomed by Associates and even global leaders who were invested in my success. Every person I met cheered me on and dedicated themselves to helping me learn. I felt energized to make an impact, lead my peers, and grow professionally and technically as much as possible. My "Lockton Moment" came over time as I experienced firsthand the caring culture and genuine investment in my success. An example of this is when the global leadership team made time to attend our intern presentation in person. I was provided impactful feedback, along with encouragement and advice for my future career. This made a lasting impact on me because I felt appreciated and that my contributions mattered. I left my summer internship knowing if I pursued a full-time career with Lockton, I would be valued, supported, and empowered.   How would you describe Lockton's culture to someone unfamiliar with it?  Lockton's caring culture makes showing up to work every day so easy. On day one, I met and fostered lifelong friendships, not just coworkers. Our leaders genuinely care about the well-being and advancement of Associates. By being a privately held organization, our leaders have the flexibility and control to make business decisions that best support our three stakeholders: our Clients, our Associates, and our Communities. Lockton is an organization that rewards high-quality performance and supports Associates with proper learning and development to be successful.