by Angie Parra
After working on Wall Street for more than 10 years, I found myself looking for a new opportunity within the financial arena. I wanted something where I could wake up each day and make an impact.

I attended the Women For Hire event in Dallas more than a year ago and met with many different employers. New York Life stood out to me. The company offered a chance to be an entrepreneur with a twist: I could be in business for myself, but not by myself. That made quite an impression on me.

In New York Life, I have a 163-year-old partner, which is always a great comfort. I’m very happy with my career. Right now is an especially good time to be with a company that is recession- proof—there will always be a need for what I offer to families.

As an agent with New York Life Insurance Company and a financial services professional registered with NYLIFE Securities LLC, one of the challenges of my job is that people don’t always know what I do or what I can offer. Financial services are tools for life’s transitions, which include purchasing a new home, having a baby, sending a child to college, starting a new business or planning for retirement. It’s also about helping you achieve financial peace of mind in the event of the unexpected.

One of the greatest rewards that I get from my job is sitting down to work directly and personally with families to help them set their financial goals and objectives. I listen to their needs and interests and we work together to prioritize what matters most to them. I get tremendous satisfaction from building these relationships.

What I would tell anyone interested in this career is that the knowledge will come. You must come into it with solid communication skills, self-discipline, and a strong network of contacts or the ability to build a good network. I’ve also seen many people transition into this job very successfully from various backgrounds—teachers, real estate agents, even stay-at-home moms. New York Life has an extensive training program to teach you what you need to know about this particular business. The support is ongoing and it’s truly the gold standard for the industry. I know if I do my part in attracting clients and nurturing those relationships, the company will be there every step of the way to deliver the best training for me—and the best products for my clients.