Tylah Jones talks building careers and connections at Rising Stars

Like many individuals who’ve formed admirable careers in the insurance industry, Tylah Jones’ path was unexpected. 

A career path that initially took her by surprise has turned into a passion that she now shares with the next generation of professionals. 

As a committee member for the ANZIIF Rising Stars in Insurance event series and Vice President of the Young Insurance Professionals (YIPs), she’s dedicated to helping others navigate their careers, build strong networks, and find their place in an industry that she believes has endless opportunities.

Falling in love with insurance

Jones didn’t plan on a career in insurance, initially setting her sights on becoming a paramedic. 

"Straight out of school, I really wanted to be an ambulance worker," she says. 

"But after six months at uni, I realised I couldn't even watch 24 Hours in Emergency without closing my eyes during the gory bits. So that probably wasn’t the best career choice for me."

Quickly retiring the dream of high-speed health, while living in London on a working holiday visa, she found herself at a recruitment agency looking for a full-time role in “anything”. 

That’s how she landed a job at CFC Underwriting in their claims department. 

“Although I can’t imagine having woken up as my younger self and suddenly wanting to work in the insurance industry, I kind of just fell in love from there," she explains. 

"When I moved back home to Australia, I decided I wanted to be a broker, to be more involved in the relationship side of the industry and have contact with both underwriters and clients. I haven't looked back since."

Jones believes the insurance industry is one of many hats, and a broad scope of roles and specialisations that make it ideal for individuals who aren’t yet set on the age-old question of “Who do you want be when you grow up?”.

 “I don't think that you could get bored in this industry. Whether it's broking, underwriting, loss adjusting, being a lawyer, or even working on site in building restoration, it’s always fresh and exciting.”

A passion for building connections

Five years later, Jones is not only an advocate for insurance as a career but also for the importance of building strong professional relationships. 

"This industry is built on socialisation and relationships," she says. 

"If you're a broker, you need good relationships with your clients. If you're working with insurers or stakeholders, you need strong communication skills. You have to be a people person."

That emphasis on relationships is central to her work with YIPs. One of the things she’s most proud of is fostering welcoming environments at networking events. 

"We make sure our committee sets a good example, greeting young professionals, making them feel comfortable. We always look over our guest list and identify people who might be attending alone or new to YIPs as a whole, so we can keep them company and help them feel part of a community. No one should feel out of place."

Her most rewarding experience so far was a mental health event the YIPs ran in support of the Black Dog Institute. 

"We were able to raise a lot of money and create a real conversation about mental health in the industry. It’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough, and I think we did a really good job of it."

The power of meaningful connections

For Jones, networking isn’t just about shaking hands or swapping business cards, so this year's Rising Stars theme of meaningful connections is particularly apt.
"Networking is everything in this industry," she says. 

"You're only as good as your network, whether it’s your team at work or people you can call for advice.”

Jones emphasises the importance of being genuine and listening more than you talk. She also notes that not every connection will turn into a long-term relationship. 

"You’re not meant to have a strong relationship with every single person you meet, and that’s okay. The right connections will grow naturally over time. But no one really teaches you how to hold a meaningful conversation. That’s something young professionals need to learn."

She believes companies should encourage their employees to attend events like Rising Stars in Insurance, where they can meet like-minded professionals, find mentors, and even more importantly, form connections with their peers, who are growing alongside them in the industry.

"Employers need to empower their staff to grow their skills and network,” Jones points out. 

“Employees are a reflection of their business and placing them in environments where they can develop and meet like-minded people benefits everyone."

Looking ahead

Having recently joined McLardy McShane, a community-oriented brokerage she has long admired, she shares that her new role is distinct from some of the others she's held. 

"The role I'm in now is different to my previous experience. While I am still broking, I am also involved in the McLardy McShane growth division where we support our AR network and handle insurer and underwriter relationships. It's exciting to see more of the behind-the-scenes side of the industry.” 

She’s also close to completing her Diploma of Insurance Broking with ANZIIF and remains committed to mentoring young professionals. 

"I want to stay involved in the industry, whether it's through my work at YIPs, helping newcomers, or just being available for advice," she enthuses.

When visualising the customary ‘five-year plan’, Jones is keeping an open mind. 

"I’ve always been a bit of a free-flowing person. As long as I’m surrounded by great people in a business that makes a real difference, I’ll be happy."

For young professionals looking to find their footing in insurance, Jones’s journey is proof that sometimes random circumstances can turn into a career you love. 

And with her commitment to fostering strong, meaningful connections, she’s helping ensure that the next generation of insurance professionals is set up for success.

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