Liberty Mutual

Paris Visone

Tariq Ahmed

Senior IT Project Manager

Tariq Ahmed first knew he wanted to pursue a career in IT at a large insurance company when he was 15 years old. In high school, he landed a summer internship working at a Fortune 100 insurance company, and he continued to complete his college co-ops in the insurance industry. When it came time to choose a permanent place of employment after graduation, Tariq had 26 job interviews and multiple offers—but ultimately chose Liberty Mutual because of the company’s financial strength, job security, and innovative IT practices.

Has the job met your expectations?
It’s exceeded my expectations. When I came on board, I started in the Technical Development Program, and it provided me with everything I was looking for in a job. It diversified my tech skills, I got exposure working on business projects, and most importantly, it provided me with a number of different leadership opportunities that has helped me transition my career path from engineering to management. This company has really helped me grow into a well-rounded IT professional.

What are you most proud about in your work?
Over the years I’ve worked in very specific tech domains and provided very specific solutions as part as an overall solution. Now I can provide those overall solutions, working across multiple teams. I’m proud of the relationships that we’ve established with our business clients, and I feel IT is not only a valuable business partner but a critical part of Liberty’s continuing success.

How does Liberty Mutual foster inclusiveness?
We actively seek candidates who bring a wide range of skills, abilities, and experiences to the company. To ensure we reach as many talented job candidates as possible, we’ve built relationships with a number of national and regional professional organizations, actively participate in job fairs, conferences, and events, and provide scholarships and awards. We foster the development of diverse employees through mentorships and professional development programs, and finally, our commitment to diversity is reflected in how we give back to the communities in which we live and work—over $37 million in 2010.

Has your diversity influenced your success?
I would say yes. Both of my parents were born in Egypt and I’ve always admired their work ethic, drive and dedication. They’ve had to overcome language barriers and learn so much with little guidance. This has helped me connect with a variety of people, both coworkers and clients.

What is your advice to other students who want to work for Liberty Mutual?
Take advantage of internships and co-ops that Liberty Mutual has to offer, and strive to excel academically. I think working for a large, stable organization has a lot of benefits. There are so many career paths available and exceptional entry-level rotational programs, not just in IT, but finance, actuarial, and HR.