Insurance and Risk Management Symposium explores job opportunities, future trends

By Bree Sabin

Company representatives and students attended the 2017 Insurance and Risk Management Symposium at Bowling Green State University. The theme of this year’s symposium was about insurance and risk management companies' need for new professionals to replace their aging workforce. In return, employees get stable careers with highly competitive wages and advancement opportunities.

Keynote speaker Jillian Froment, director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, spoke about the job opportunities in the insurance industry and emphasized that the need for insurance is consistent.

“There is $76 billion of premium payments. Insurance is one of the most stable industries in the world. Someone will always need insurance," she said.

“In the next few years, Ohio's insurance industry will require 29,000 new workers to fill all manner of positions," said J. Rockne (Roc) Starks, executive in residence for the College of Business.

The symposium also featured a panel of industry experts from across the region, ranging from insurance agency leaders to corporate officers. They included: 

• Linda Koos, Hylant Group
• Barbara Munch, Key Bank
• Carly Fortman, Central Mutual Insurance
• Amanda Sklavenitis, Ohio Insurance Institute
• Sylvia Chandler, Western and Southern Life
• Alex Holmes, Westfield Group

Panelists discussed industry hot topics and future challenges, including cybersecurity, driverless cars and bitcoin/Blockchain technology.