For this Administrative Professionals Day, we would like to share a piece written by Victoria Hallimae, a Receptionist and Office Assistant at McKellar.
Victoria shares her experience joining McKellar Structured Settlements and how empathy and expertise help turn uncertainty into confidence for both employees and clients. Continue reading to learn her perspective.
When I first joined McKellar, I was stepping head-first into a new and exciting experience. As a young professional in a challenging job market, I was excited, eager to learn, and ready to find my place in a field I had only just discovered: structured settlements.
Starting any new job is an exercise in uncertainty. You enter an unfamiliar place surrounded by new faces, processes, and terminology, and hope it is the beginning of a rewarding chapter in your life. At McKellar, I was met with a warm welcome, kind and friendly faces, and excitement that I was joining the team. What struck me about my new workplace was not just the depth of knowledge or the meticulous attention to detail. It was the people. The most seasoned members of the McKellar team didn’t simply demonstrate their expertise through knowledge or years of experience. They showed it through empathy.
From the moment I stepped through the door I was met with empathetic understanding. My colleagues took the time to teach, listen, and guide me through what we do and why it matters. As I learned more about the world of structured settlements, I began to see an unexpected parallel between my own journey and the experiences of the people we’re helping. Starting a new career can feel uncertain; a life-altering injury magnifies that uncertainty many times over. In both situations, the desire for reassurance, security, a sense of control, and direction amid change remains the same. McKellar’s approach and philosophy of certainty eases those fears.
The culture at McKellar is one of compassion and collaboration. We encourage curiosity and foster an environment where everyone feels confident and included. A culture that values understanding and support creates happier teams and better outcomes for clients. Our best work comes from genuine understanding and connection, not impersonal metrics and procedure. When people feel supported, they listen, communicate, and innovate. This is the kind of expertise not found in a manual or measured by numbers. It grows through experience, shared knowledge, and ongoing reflection, and transforms ordinary expertise into something extraordinary.
I am surrounded by a team that is exceptionally skilled and deeply caring. We understand that behind every file is a person, and structures are so much more than financial tools. Our experienced team members can tell you how the work they’ve done has a profoundly positive impact on their lives, and it influences and inspires them every day in the work they continue to do. They transform moments of instability for injured people into solid foundations for their future. They provide assurance and security to those who need it most. Structures offer agency, independence, and the opportunity to rebuild.
As a newer member of the team, I reflect on my personal growth in preparation for my monthly reviews, and it’s fascinating to see how far I’ve come in such a relatively short time. The uncertainty I initially felt has given way to confidence and a deeper understanding of our work. I’m still learning and facing new challenges, but each day I feel more grounded and ready to take them on. I carry immense appreciation for the purpose behind our work, and for the people who have helped guide me along the way.
McKellar’s unique combination of empathy and expertise is what truly sets us apart, and it’s what keeps me motivated to give my best every day.