Angela's Experience at State Farm

Angela Wake started her career June 1st 1998, as a clerk entering Annuity applications (Life Policy Holder Clerk) which was entry level for a State Farm employee. Over the next two years, Angela learned and became a resource for all functions within this team. She was promoted to the next level in late 1999. In 2001, Angela was asked to move to the Special Monthly Team to learn Life Insurance and become a leader for this team. The Special Monthly Team processes premium payments for Life policies. Angela took this position, which required her to quickly learn about a new product line completely different from Annuities. State Farm Life was consolidating and many employees were leaving the Life Company, so this left much opportunity as well as a loss of experience. The team members were not helpful in the learning process, so she read procedure manuals and used trial and error to learn all functions of this team and assume leadership within one year. Per Angela, “This was one of the most challenging moments of my career and also one of the most rewarding.” In 2003 State Farm Life consolidated to four Operation Centers from 10. “I was given the opportunity to apply to be a part of the newly formed training team. I got the position, which was a promotion to the highest level in my job class. I did all this without a college degree. I was so proud!”

Angela was continuing her education at Heartland Community College off and on during these years. Angela stated, “It was a struggle to balance two young boys and a full time job, but I wanted to complete my degree so I kept taking one class at a time.” In 2006, Angela was approached to pilot a new position as a Team Leader for two teams. “This was a great opportunity to use my leadership and technical skills at a new level. I gained the respect of the employees and the management team. This position was extremely high stress, but I loved the feeling of helping solve problems.”

In October 2008, Angela broke the barrier and was offered a job as an Internal Auditor. This position allowed Angela to become a Professional/Technical employee. Per Angela, “This is extremely difficult level to reach without a college degree and I did it. I had just graduated from Heartland Community College in May and in October I got a huge promotion! It can be done; State Farm is full of opportunities for those willing to work hard.”