Alicia M. Carlson
Alicia Carlson is a dedicated insurance professional with a passion for helping families protect their assets, income, and future. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia College (SC) in 2020, she initially worked as a speech-language pathology assistant before making a career pivot into the insurance industry. Over the past three years, she has specialized in auto, home, life, and disability insurance, focusing on client care and education to ensure coverage gaps are addressed.
In her current role as an insurance producer at State Farm, Alicia emphasizes keeping “the customer’s heart at the center” of her work. She engages directly with clients through outbound calls, ensuring they have the right coverage in place and helping families secure life insurance to protect loved ones. Alicia has achieved notable success in her role, including writing 27 life policies in a single month as part of a professional development program, making a meaningful impact on the lives of the families she serves.
Beyond her day-to-day responsibilities, Alicia participates in a peer program designed to prepare members to eventually open their own insurance offices. She values the personal connections her work allows, enjoying the opportunity to understand clients’ life stories, guide them to the right solutions, and make a tangible difference in their financial security. Alicia combines her strong interpersonal skills with a commitment to client education and protection, bringing both heart and strategy to her career in insurance.
• Columbia College- Bachelor's
What do you attribute your success to?
I really attribute my success to coming back to my why every day - that is my reasoning for working in this industry. The biggest why is to be able to provide a wonderful life for my children, for my family, and just knowing what it feels like to kind of be lost in a world that you really don't have any knowledge of. We know insurance is required, but we don't know the reasoning. And just knowing that when there is a loss, that somebody can depend on me to help them get through it. So I really do contribute back to that why, but I also have really strong mentors and really strong coworkers who work alongside of me every day, that are able to help push me to be the best I can.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to always keep the customer's heart at the center of what you're doing. So, regardless of any office goal or company goal, make sure what you're doing is - you have the customer's best interest at heart.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Being a woman in the insurance world, especially in a sales role, it is difficult, but you are capable, you are strong, and you have more power than you know. And having that ability to make connections in a natural, organic way is going to help you succeed.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think one of the biggest challenges, especially in South Carolina, is rates - rates are tough in today's world. Also, we all know that we have to have insurance, but just kind of knowing what are some risks or gaps that we have in those coverages that could put your family in a devastating position. There's a tough environment in general with insurance, and it's hard especially because right now everybody is so price-driven. Insurance is a tough industry, but once we kind of understand and uncover the truth of gaps and that sort of thing, then it makes it easier.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I am a strong believer in God and have a really good Christian background. As far as features and values, I look for honesty, being a hard worker with great work ethic, but also staying organized and being open-minded in various circumstances.