When Jiesalea Pagan ’26 begins her full-time role with USI Insurance Services this July, she'll be starting more than just a new job—she'll be launching a career built on persistence, confidence, and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone.
As a business analytics and managerial economics major at the University of Hartford's Barney School of Business, Jiesalea always considered herself an analytical thinker. Her strengths in problem -solving and experience with tools like Excel initially drew her to the program, but some of the most important lessons she learned at UHart had little to do with numbers.
"I started out very resistant to networking and professional events because I had a lot of anxiety around them," Jiesalea says. "I didn't feel confident making connections with people." That mindset began to change as she immersed herself in the opportunities available at UHart.
Through career fairs, networking events, guest speakers, and corporate visits, Jiesalea gradually built the confidence to engage with professionals and expand her network.
"Once I pushed myself to be confident in spaces such as job fairs and career trips, I built a connection that landed me my now full-time job," she says. "Networking is the most important skill to build."
Jiesalea’s journey to a full-time position at USI was supported by a series of internships that allowed her to explore different areas of business and insurance while gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Her first internship was on campus with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, where she developed advanced Excel skills while balancing the demands of her first year. She later interned with Worker's Compensation Trust, gaining exposure to insurance operations and learning from experienced industry professionals.
Jiesalea ‘s third internship, with SmartPay Solutions, became a defining experience. Over the course of more than a year, she worked on projects within the payroll and insurance industries, built strong professional relationships, and gained practical experience that helped prepare her for the next stage of her career.
Beyond her internships, UHart provided Jiesalea with opportunities to apply her analytical skills through research and coursework. As part of her business analytics studies, she completed coding and data analysis projects focused on topics such as college tuition trends in the United States, diabetes prediction, and retail marketing strategies. These projects challenged her to use data to uncover patterns, evaluate outcomes, and support decision -making.
Jiesalea Pagan ’26, Barney School of BusinessI had to grow the mindset that it's better to try and fail than do nothing at all. I was letting opportunities pass me by and then wondering why it was so hard to find internships and positions. Attend events, talk to speakers, and build connections. Not every conversation will lead directly to a job, but every interaction is a chance to learn something and create opportunities for the future.
While developing technical skills was important, Jiesalea says some of her greatest growth came from experiences that pushed her to interact with others. She fondly remembers participating in corporate visits throughout her college career, including a trip to New York City during her initial year on campus. These experiences gave her a firsthand look at professional environments while helping her practice networking in real-world settings.
"I always enjoyed the corporate trips because they were a great opportunity to network and learn about possible career paths," Jiesalea explains. Another memorable experience was a professional etiquette dinner held through her BAR 211 course, where students learned business dining etiquette while connecting with successful alumni.
Throughout her time at UHart, professors and classmates also played an important role in helping Jiesalea overcome self-doubt. "Relationships I built at UHart didn't directly lead to the career I have now, but they helped build my confidence," she says. "Certain professors and classmates helped me realize I was capable of making positive impressions on others."
Outside the classroom, Jiesalea further developed her leadership skills by serving on the executive board of the American Marketing Association. Looking back, she credits UHart with helping her develop the persistence and discipline needed to achieve her goals.
"It really formed persistence within me," Jiesalea emphasizes. "I had to maintain a standard of organization with my classwork and keep in mind that all of the hard work would eventually lead to earning my degree."
As she prepares to begin her career at USI Insurance Services this July, Jiesalea is confident that the organizational, time management, and study skills she developed at UHart will continue to serve her well as she works toward obtaining her insurance license and growing within the industry.
Her advice for future students is simple and comes from personal experience. "Network," she says. "I had to grow the mindset that it's better to try and fail than do nothing at all. I was letting opportunities pass me by and then wondering why it was so hard to find internships and positions. Attend events, talk to speakers, and build connections. Not every conversation will lead directly to a job, but every interaction is a chance to learn something and create opportunities for the future."
For Jiesalea, taking that chance changed everything. What started as a challenge to overcome her networking anxiety ultimately became the catalyst for the career she is about to begin.