RMI students, Jake Grindstaff and Miguel Rodriguez, begin internships at Marsh & McLennan Agency

Students are Eager to Take on Internships with Bigger Responsibilities

Students Jake Grindstaff and Miguel Rodriguez began their spring semester by starting internships at Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), which serves the risk prevention and insurance needs of mid-sized and large corporations in the United States.

Grindstaff and Rodriguez are seniors majoring in risk management and insurance at Gallaudet’s Maguire Academy of Risk Management and Insurance (RMI). The two interns will gain hands-on experience in real-life risk management and insurance scenarios during their 12-week internship.

At a function to mark the beginning of the internship, Gallaudet University Career Center Director Karen Cook and Career Consultant Anjali Desai-Mangolin, ’87-’92 presented “Working Together: Deaf and Hearing Employees,” which was attended by 28 Marsh staff members who will be working with Grindstaff and Rodriguez. The presentation included various communication strategies that could be used to accommodate the interns were offered.

Speaking after the presentation, Charmaine R. Davis, senior vice president, Marsh USA, Inc., said the staff were excited about the new experience, which would provide new perspectives and workplace diversity. She encouraged Grindstaff and Rodriguez to take full advantage of the opportunity, to learn as much as they can, and to broaden and increase their opportunities in the field of risk management and insurance.

Patricia Steis, Marsh USA, Inc. managing director and Washington, D.C. office head, was also on hand to welcome Grindstaff and Rodriguez. “We are excited that you are here, and we hope you will learn as well as have fun working with us,” said Steis.

Robert Shilling, ’89, who works with Partnership Development for Deaf; Hard of Hearing at the Maguire Foundation, was in attendance to give a brief history of the RMI program at Gallaudet. Schilling shared that James Maguire, H-’17, worked in the insurance industry for many years and strongly believes that deaf individuals can and should work in the insurance industry.

Grindstaff and Rodriguez were enthusiastic and optimistic about the experience ahead of them.

“I am hoping to gain more confidence in working within a majority hearing workplace. This is my third internship, and I am ready for bigger responsibilities,” said Grindstaff.

“I am excited to begin my internship here. I hope to build and gain a deeper understanding of risk management insurance,” said Rodriguez.

James Bruner, Gallaudet RMI executive program director, embraces the opportunities Marsh is offering to Gallaudet’s RMI students.

“Many thanks to Kevin Griffiths, Charmaine Davis and Patricia Steis from Marsh for making these internships possible,” said Bruner. “We, along with the students, are excited. To be associated with Marsh is fantastic. Gallaudet looks forward to building on and strengthening our relationship with Marsh.

To learn more about the Gallaudet RMI program, click here.

From left: Robert J Shilling, Partnership Development for Deaf; Hard of Hearing, Maguire Foundation; Patricia Steis, managing director and office head, Marsh USA, Inc.; Rodriguez; Anjali Desai-Mangolin, career consultant, Career Center; James Bruner, director, Gallaudet Maguire Academy of Risk Management Insurance; Grindstaff; Karen Cook, director, Career Center; and Charmaine R. Davis, senior vice president, Marsh USA, Inc.

Left: Patricia Steis, managing director and office head, Marsh USA, Inc., speaks during presentations at Marsh by Gallaudet University Career Center’s Karen Cook and Anjali Desa-Mangolin.

Far Right: Charmaine R. Davis, senior vice president, Marsh USA, Inc., speaks during her welcome address at Marsh USA, Inc., by Gallaudet University Career Center’s Karen Cook and Anjali Desa-Mangolin.

Left: Charmaine R. Davis, senior vice president, Marsh USA, Inc., and Patricia Steis (behind Davis), managing director and office head, Marsh USA Inc., learn the sign for meeting’ during presentations at Marsh by Gallaudet University Career Center’s Karen Cook and Anjali Desa-Mangolin.