Jenny Goodyear [The Indianapolis Star]

(Indianapolis Star (IN) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 03--Jenny Goodyear once assumed she'd be working for a major-league sports team or running her own sports marketing firm. Instead, she's building a career in the insurance industry as vice president of operations at the Carmel-based Senior Health Insurance Co. of Pennsylvania.

After graduating from Indiana University, Goodyear joined CNO Financial, where she worked in the long-term care insurance division.

She joined SHIP in 2008 as director of operations and was named vice president of operations in 2010.

"With the aging population in our country, more companies will need to ensure their communication strategies and customer-approach meet the needs of the senior segment," she said. "In the insurance industry, as with most others, the ability to anticipate and meet the needs of the customer is critical to achieving success." How did you manage to stand out in a crowd and advance quickly in your career I have always pursued roles that have allowed me to maintain a customer-focused approach. In the insurance industry, as with most others, the ability to anticipate and meet the needs of the customer is critical to achieving success. I have had the opportunity to participate in and lead collaborative groups and teams, primarily with the goals of solving business problems and providing better value to customers.

I have a lot of drive, and I do attribute a lot of my success to my formal and informal mentors and to listening to the advice of my peers. My brother and parents taught me the importance of time and dedication. It pays off in the end.

What was your first job or entrepreneurial experience How did it affect your future I was very fortunate to have an internship with BKS Communications early on in college. I was inspired by Beverly Smith, the company's president.

I quickly learned the amount of time it takes to prepare proposals, meetings and projects. You need to make the work look effortless even when there is so much leading up to it behind the scenes.

What's the toughest mistake you ever made and what did you learn from it Not going back and getting my master's earlier. I didn't have a business class in undergrad, and I have learned so much valuable information since.

How important is it to have a mentor Did anyone in particular help you advance in your career You need someone to help you see where your strengths truly are and where you have opportunities to work on.

Beverly Smith was a mentor. She was my first exposure working in the business world. She provided me with hands-on experience, allowing me to see first-hand how challenging and rewarding this type of work can be.

I have had other informal mentors, such as David Vega at Conseco. He was fabulous at pointing out things I did and didn't do well and pointing out my strengths.

Dr. Scott Latimer, president of the senior segment for Humana, motivated me to pursue my MBA.

My current boss, Brian Wagner, has also helped develop my career.

What advice would you give to other young people trying to get started in your industry Start at an entry-level job and work your hardest. Be the person known for being 100 percent reliable and responsible .It may take a few years to be noticed, but it will pay off.

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