With the extensive debate that is taking place of our president's healthcare bill, it is easy for all of us to wonder about the future of private insurance companies. Granted, many of us realize that our current system is less than perfect, but polls across the political spectrum reflect that the majority of Americans are resistant to the idea of government-manage healthcare.

If you find yourself in that position, but you are unsure of how to see the present circumstances improved, consider choosing a career in the insurance field.

The individuals who work in various departments for an insurance company not only get fairly comprehensive coverage themselves--they also have the opportunity to help others have a more positive experience with their insurance company, especially when they are dealing with a difficult medical condition.

Once you have decided that this could be the professional path for you, start checking out local companies to find out which ones have openings available. If you already have health insurance coverage with a particular company, contact them first. After all, you will probably already know a little bit about how they operate.

Don't restrict yourself to online listings because, even though we are in the digital age, not all companies list their open positions online. They want someone who will be proactive enough to contact them or appear at a job fair.

Keep your options open when it comes to selecting an entry-level position with a company. When my spouse and I were first married, he was able to snag a job in the department of a national insurance company which handled claims related to prescription drugs.

At the time, he didn't know much about prescription medication except which ones he was allergic to! But thanks to his work ethic and their effective training, he became well-versed in this field, and his knowledge has been very helpful since then. So don't be daunted by areas of knowledge with which you are unfamiliar.

If you are still unsure, then you might want to consider asking to view training materials during the first interview. If they seem as though you could navigate through them (with some help, of course), then be sure to persist with that particular company.

If not, then just be sure to ask a lot of questions and get in touch with the specific person who will be training you. Do they seem to communicate effectively and explain things clearly?

Above all, remain committed to advocating for the individual patient. It is the thirst for profit that has gotten us into the tangled up mess we are in now. If each worker is committed to being the customer's advocate, then socialized healthcare will go up in smoke.