The University of South Florida and Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce will host a meeting of insurance industry stakeholders to share strategies for creating successful internship experiences to attract talented and diverse employees.
The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus’ Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The media is welcome.
“Building relationships with young students and serving them well, that’s how we will elevate the risk management and insurance industry brand and attract the talent our industry needs,” said Steve Miller, director of USF’s School of Risk Management and Insurance in the Muma College of Business, and facilitator of the event. “Internships make an enormous impact on students’ lives as they navigate a path toward launching a career.”
USF is working with the CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, the workforce development program of the Sarasota Chamber, to host the event. The meeting will convene educators and insurance professionals to discuss how to create a successful internship experience in insurance. Examples of effective internship programs will be shared, challenges and solutions discussed and best practices exchanged. In addition, students from USF’s RMI program will share their views on quality internship experiences.
As with many industries, the RMI industry is experiencing a shortage of talented new employees, specifically in the Sarasota-Manatee market, as Baby Boomers and other veteran employees retire from the industry.
Risk management and insurance companies understand that creating a great first impression, such as through internships, is key to planting seeds for insurance professionals.
“Insurance companies that seek out and develop interns will win the war on talent,” said Kristi Hoskinson, vice president of CareerEdge. “An internship experience in insurance exposes the student to a fulfilling career. It also helps them to understand the digitally advanced and exciting work that exists today in insurance. We are excited at CareerEdge to support the industry in helping develop best internship practices.”