So, admittedly, if you ask any seven-year-old what they want to do when they grow up, they likely won’t say, “Have a fulfilling insurance career!”

But, why not? Insurance provides rewarding work that demands skill, knowledge and talent. There are limitless opportunities for training and learning new things. Plus, you get to help people during difficult times. It’s like being a nurse, firefighter or police officer — but without the blood, burning buildings and high-speed car chases. What’s not to like?

Unfortunately, most people don’t have a compelling image of what it’s like to work in insurance. The industry, as a whole, hasn’t done a great job of selling the benefits — and that’s on us. It’s long past time that we started to point out — and be proud of — just how great an insurance career can be. 

You can make work-life balance a priority

For the most part, insurance is an 8-to-5, Monday-to-Friday career. Yes, there may be times when you have to pull longer days or work a few weekends – like any job. Some positions, particularly as you rise through the management ranks, will also likely involve some long hours. But, all-in-all it’s an industry where you really can have a life outside of the office. 

Insurance companies take pride in the kind of work environment they offer to employees. It’s a good idea to research company culture to see where you might be a good fit.

Insurance work generally also comes with strong benefits, and companies strive to offer packages and incentives to attract and retain the best employees. 

You can use your talents

When people consider insurance careers, they might often just think about selling. While brokers and salespeople are definitely a crucial part of the industry, there are more positions that are not traditional sales jobs. 

Do you have a head for business? You might excel at underwriting, analytics or finance. Love the digital world? Technology is transforming insurance and we need talented people to lead us into the future. Or maybe you enjoy solving a mystery, and even have a law enforcement background already? Working in a claims or fraud department could be the perfect fit. There are also jobs in most insurance companies involving marketing, administration, human resources, and more. The sky is really the limit. 

You’re always learning

No matter your job or position at an insurance company, you can be sure it will involve constantly learning and growing. Whether it’s a new kind of liability facing your customers, a product you develop to fill an unmet market need or new technology that will make what you do even more valuable, this is an industry that is progressive and innovative. Many insurance companies also offer robust training programs that allow employees to hone their knowledge and skills.

Some may view the insurance industry as being slow to change. But, the truth is, we are always adapting to meet the needs of the market and keep one step ahead of competitors. That constant push makes these careers challenging and satisfying. 

And though the industry is dynamic and constantly evolving in an ever-changing market – it’s not going anywhere. Insurance is a stable industry that’s here to stay. 

You help people

Life is full of risks, and that’s why we have insurance. Our industry was created to protect people and businesses from suffering financial harm due to an unforeseen event. Whether it’s a flooded home, damage to a trucking company’s fleet, or a building contractor who can’t finish a job — there’s a type of insurance to help cushion the blow. 

Working in insurance means we give people peace of mind, and also serve as their allies during some very difficult times. It’s a privilege to be able to serve in this way.

Even if a particular role is not client-facing, everyone on the team contributes to this overall mission — to help and protect people and businesses. 

You’re coming in at a good time. We really need you. 

As with many industries, insurance is facing an unprecedented talent shortage. The most conservative estimates say that U.S. insurance companies will face 400,000 vacancies over the next 5 to 10 years due to retirements alone. That is a lot of talent and institutional knowledge walking out the door — and a huge opportunity for anyone either just coming into the job market or thinking about a mid-career pivot. To continue providing the kinds of innovative insurance products that everyone relies on for peace of mind, more people need to get excited about working in this industry as a career.

Put insurance on your career shortlist

Real talk: Insurance isn’t boring or stodgy. The industry is actually bursting with innovation, pursuing new technologies and pushing boundaries. But it needs talented people in order to keep moving forward. There is a place for everyone in this vibrant sector, and we hope more will consider it a challenging, rewarding career path. People like you.

Interested in a career with IAT Insurance? Check out our current postings or  get in touch!