It's not the door-to-door salesman your grandfather knew.

The insurance profession may be one of the best kept secrets in the employment field. As the industry expands into the global marketplace, professionals with transferable skills are needed for a variety of important roles.

The first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of jobs in insurance is sales. In today's complex marketplace, insurance salespeople are required to have a high degree of knowledge, expertise and service. But sales is just one aspect of the field.

The insurance industry employs many other occupational groups. If you are interested in computers or people, business or science, mathematics or marketing, there is a place for you in insurance.

The insurance industry is a dynamic business that contributes significantly to our nation's economy and provides continuing opportunities for personal development for its work force.

Insurance touches all of our lives- it protects the things that are important to us. It also stimulates our economy by encouraging the growth of many other businesses. Insurance backs investments with protection against unexpected misfortune. The positive economic impact of insurance can be felt in small communities around the world.

Whether you are choosing or changing your career, insurance is a great field to explore.

Insurance: real careers for real people.

actuary: Uses analytical skills to predict the risks involved in insuring certain businesses and occupations. They help set prices, or premiums, which helps to decide the company's profits or losses . . . A good choice if you like working with numbers.

agent or broker: Sells and services policies to individuals and businesses in the community. They help customers by advising them on how to protect the things they value and which protections to choose. Much like a family doctor, an agent knows a lot about his or her clients and develops relationships, sharing in milestones such as the purchase of a new home, the birth of a child, graduations and new job ventures . . . A good choice if you like working with people and selling.

claims adjuster: Determines the extent of damage when an accident occurs and whether the damages are covered by the insurance policy. Arranges for repairs and is responsible for reaching settlements that are fair to both customers and the insurance company . . . A good choice if you are a good negotiator and enjoy working with numbers.

customer service agent: Serves customers on a day-to-day basis in the agency by helping to keep policies and coverages up-to-date. They may spend time adding new cars to a policy, changing coverage when a business grows, or adding a new child to a life insurance policy . . . A good choice if you like working with people and have a knack for detail.

field representative: Acts as a liaison between the insurance company and the agents and brokers who sell the company's products. This person is an important resource, and strong interpersonal skills are a plus . . . A good choice if you can communicate and think on your feet.

loss control specialist: Helps to keep accidents and losses to a minimum by examining work areas, looking over machinery and recommending safety procedures. Works directly with customers to promote safety in the workplace . . . A good choice if the engineering field appeals to you.

risk manager: Identifies risks that their company may face and recommends how to deal with them. Using thoroughness and analytical skills, they help to keep their company's losses to a minimum and to control them when they do occur . . . A good choice if you are interested in an analytical, management position.

underwriter: Evaluates risks and decides whether or not the company should provide insurance to applicants. They use clear thinking skills to assess situations based on all the information and make reasoned decisions . . . A good choice if you are analytical and can make decisions.