What your career counselor never told you

Start your insurance career

The opportunities for a great career in the insurance industry are virtually endless yet, for some reason, insurance is not often talked about at career fairs in high school, colleges, and universities. Sadly, the insurance industry continues to be plagued by antiquated stigmas. We haven’t shaken off the image of the door to door life insurance salesman or the notion that it’s all a money grab. What a shame! Now may be just the right time for you to start your career in insurance.

My personal experience

I started my career in insurance because a relative was already in the industry. I was in my last year of high school, looking for a way to make an income to pay for university. Lucky me, not only was I able to graduate debt-free with a part-time job, but I also found my passion. Of course, the initial thought of selling insurance was revolting and a conversation killer at parties. For a while, I even tried saying, “I’m a risk transfer consultant” – it sounded way fancier than declaring “I sell insurance.”

With time I got over it. I realized that people and companies include insurance costs in their yearly budget. And that no business operates, plane flies or building gets built without insurance. I realized I could offer outstanding service and the best coverage they could afford. I felt proud of the service I was providing. It felt really good to know clients viewed me as a reputable advisor. It felt even better to see the relief a client would get when I told them everything would be okay after they experienced a devastating loss from fire or water. You can make a difference in this in this industry, even when sales is not your thing.

5 Reasons to join the insurance industry

1. You get to help people

Insurance is all about helping and servicing people. Whether in claims or working as a broker or underwriter, your ultimate job is to satisfy the customer and to get them the best coverage possible for the right price. A dedicated insurance professional will be able to point to subtleties that could make a significant difference for the client at the time of a loss. Developing your skillset and craft to an expert level and using it to help people is extremely satisfying.

2. Day to day variety

No two days in insurance are the same, and you never stop learning. As an underwriter, you’re analyzing risk. No two submissions or companies look the same, allowing you to sink your teeth into new content daily. The same applies to the broker or the claims side of the business: new businesses arise, technology risks emerge, and claims are unpredictable. You genuinely don’t know what awaits at your desk from day-to-day.

3. A community

As an insurance professional, you have the opportunity to get involved in countless industry-based communities and networks. This is an industry that is passionate about networking and driving fundraising campaigns. There are plenty of occasions gather for a drink, and chat about industry trends.

4. Opportunities for advancement or lateral moves

With the retirement of the baby boomers, there will be plenty of jobs and opportunities for advancement. The industry is entering a new stage with insure tech platforms and initiatives. There will be an interest in talent that can bring a different skill set. In Canada, for instance, a study commissioned by the Insurance Institute in 2023 says that about 29% of the current Property & Casualty industry workforce plan to leave their current employer by 2027.  Of those, 42% plan to retire or leave the industry. Now is a good time for those looking to start or progress their career in insurance.

5. The world is your oyster

From London to New York, to Bermuda, to Toronto, to Singapore, there are insurance hubs worldwide. The opportunities of transfers within or with a different employer are high. If you’re interested in working abroad, you should be continually working on your personal brand. Attend network events, ask smart questions, ask for introductions, you will get there!

Opportunities for everyone

Like any other industry, within the insurance industry, you can find fabulous companies that look after their employees and others that have some work to do in that respect. If you find yourself stuck or in a stifling environment, know this is not typical of the industry. Avoid confusing what’s specific to a company’s culture with what you can achieve by working under the right conditions.

The insurance industry really has something to offer for everyone. The sector needs talent across all functions such as Human Resources, IT, operations, and marketing, as well as sales and distribution.

Even graduates across different fields such as law, engineering, and architecture, can find their place in the industry developing programs and assessing risk for those industry classes.

The opportunities are endless within the industry. Take note of what makes you tick, and you’ll be sure to find a role that matches your desires.

Read about different roles: broker, claims adjuster, risk manager, underwriter.

Check out the courses!
Cyber Insurance 101
Best Seller
1.5 Hours

Cyber Insurance 101

$150.00
This is not your typical Cyber 101. A comprehensive course for anyone who wants to take their knowledge beyond the basics. Learn what standalone policies cover, how breaches lead to claims, and how to compare coverage. Includes real-world scenarios and key insights for today’s cyber landscape.
Understanding Financial Statements
Best Seller
1.5 Hours

Understanding Financial Statements for Insurance Professionals

$150.00
Learn to read financials through an underwriter’s lens. This course breaks down the basics—statements, transactions, key ratios—and shows you what really matters. Perfect for anyone who wants to connect with clients at a deeper level and save time on back-and-forth with underwriters.
Managing policy renewals with Excel
Best Seller
1.5 Hours

Managing Policy Renewals using MS Excel

$150.00
Take the course! Learn to set up MS Excel using shortcuts, formulas and formatting; includes tips for easy ways to manage your insurance policy renewal portfolio.  
Technology Errors & Omissions
1.5 - 2 Hours

Technology Errors & Omissions Insurance 101

$150.00
Tech companies face unique risks—and standard coverage isn’t enough. This course explains what Tech E&O is, who needs it, and how it protects against service failures and security issues. Learn how policies are structured and what to watch for when advising or buying coverage.
Pivot Tables
Popular
1.5 Hours

Gaining Business Insights using MS Excel Pivot Tables

$150.00
Take the course! Learn how to use the pivot table feature in MS Excel to interpret data such as renewal lists and account receivable reports. 
Employment Practices Liability
Popular
2 Hours

Employment Practices Liability Insurance 101

$150.00
Often overlooked, yet essential, EPLI helps protect against workplace claims like discrimination. This course covers who and what’s insured, what to expect in a claim, and what to look for in a policy—plus key trends shaping this ever-evolving coverage.
Customer Service in Insurance
Popular
3 Hours

Excellence in Customer Service

$199.00
Looking to stand out in a crowded market? This is your edge. Excellence in Customer Service is a dynamic, high-impact workshop designed to sharpen the human skills that truly differentiate professionals in today’s insurance landscape.
ethics & fiduciary duty
Popular
1.5 hours

Ethics and Fiduciary Duty

$150.00
Trust is everything in insurance—and your reputation depends on it. This deep-dive masterclass equips you to handle real-world ethical dilemmas, manage conflicts of interest, and fulfill your fiduciary duty with confidence. Learn from real cases, build trust, and lead with integrity—every time.
Captive Insurance
Popular
2 hours

Captive Insurance: From Concept to Execution

$150.00
Captive insurance isn’t just for the Fortune 500 anymore. In this hands-on course, you’ll learn how mid-sized companies and niche industries are using captives to cut costs and manage risk. Get practical strategies to advise clients with confidence—and position yourself as the go-to expert in this growing space.
General (Public) Liability
1.5 Hours

General (Public) Liability Insurance

$150.00
This course gives you the clarity and confidence to navigate CGL policies. Master the fundamentals of liability insurance to better assess risk, support smart decisions, and protect businesses from costly exposures—today and down the road.
Customer Service instructors
Best Seller
1.5 Hours

Strategies for Delivering Bad News in Insurance

$150.00
How confident are you in your ability to deliver tough messages? Do you have a clear methodology? This course gives you practical tools to handle difficult conversations with clarity and empathy—so you can protect relationships, stay professional, and lead with confidence under pressure.
ethical dilemmas
1.5 Hours

Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Client Relations

$150.00
Trust is built on ethical choices. This course explores what ethics means in insurance, how to recognize moral grey areas, and how to meet legal duties to clients. Learn a practical 5-step process to handle tough situations with clarity, confidence, and integrity.
Ransomware and Insurance
1.5 Hours

Ransomware and Insurance

$150.00
This course breaks down how ransomware coverage works, what to do if you’re hit, and how to strengthen your defenses. Learn to evaluate policies, improve readiness, and make smarter buying decisions before a breach happens.
Fiduciary Liability
Popular
2 Hours

Fiduciary Liability Insurance

$150.00
An important course for every pension plan and employee benefit program fiduciary – administrators, trustees and sponsors, as well as insurance and legal professionals. Learn about risks, policy structure, claims, risk mitigation and how to buy.
Miscellaneous Professional Liability
Popular
2 Hours

Miscellaneous Professional Liability Insurance Fundamentals

$150.00
A critical course for every professional or professional services organization as well as for those who support and guide them. Learn about risks, key coverages, claims, risk mitigation and how to buy.
Directors & Officers Liability
Popular
2 Hours

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance 101

$150.00
This isn’t your typical D&O 101. Understand the real risks directors and officers face—and why this coverage matters. This course breaks down key exposures, how and when D&O insurance responds, and what to look for in a policy. Learn what drives claims, what’s often overlooked, and how to make informed buying decisions.
Not-for-profit Directors and Officers Liability
Popular
2 Hours

Not-for-profit Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

$150.00
Directors and officers of not-for-profits face real risks—and unique challenges. This course explains how D&O coverage works, what to expect in a claim, and how to strengthen governance. Learn how to protect your board, your mission, and your organization before a problem arises.
Ransomware Market Update
Free

2022 Market Update Ransomware and Insurance

Explore how ransomware threats have evolved—and how the insurance market is adapting. This free short course includes an eBook and helpful resources to bring you up to speed on key trends, coverage shifts, and what it all means for insurers, brokers, and buyers alike.
Commercial Crime Insurance
Popular
1.5 Hours

Commercial Crime Insurance Fundamentals

$150.00
Too often overlooked or buried under sublimits, crime coverage matters more than you think. This course explains how commercial crime insurance works, what’s really covered, and how to handle a loss. Learn to spot gaps, ask the right questions, and build stronger protection against employee fraud and theft.
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