Start a flexible, new career in six weeks

This article was written for our sponsor, IIANC

Whether you’re unsatisfied in your field, re-entering the workforce after raising children, or are just curious as to what else is out there, it’s not too late to change careers.

"Know that there is not one specific role that you have to do the rest of your life and that there's other things that you can do," said Kimberly Cade of Coastline Insurance.

Cade changed careers after graduating from InsurAcademy, which trains people to work at independent insurance agencies.

Working in insurance

The insurance industry has job availability, allows for work-life balance, and offers advancement opportunities.

"It's a great field to be in, and there's always room for growth," Cade said.

Because of industry growth, many agencies are looking for new agents.

"I think insurance is just wide open," InsurAcademy instructor George Robertson said. "We have a lot of job openings in the insurance spectrum today for agents all across the country, so there's plenty of availability at this moment."

Fortunately, regardless of previous work experience, you can make the transition.

"We've had teachers, coaches, all sorts of backgrounds," InsurAcademy instructor Hayden Hall said. "So, I wouldn’t want anyone to be scared because they feel like their background isn't suitable to get into insurance."

Training

To transition professionals into insurance, IIANC developed InsurAcademy with content that will prepare students to pass a licensing exam and find success at work.

"It really takes it from the perspective of all the agency owners and the people that are in the agency," said Robertson. "What does a student need to know? What does the person I'm going to hire need to know? They built [the program] around that process."

During the six-week program, instructors with industry experience teach licensing requirements, prepare you for the exam, and support you through vocational training.

"My class instructor was very positive, and it's just a very positive experience," said Cade. "And the thing is, they care about what they do, so they care for their students."

InsurAcademy will also help you create a professional network that can lead to jobs and long-term professional support.

"I think a lot of people want to get into a new industry, but it can be daunting, especially without any support from anyone, let alone a whole network and an organization that set up a program especially for people looking to do that and kind of give them the leg up in the process," said Hall.

That leg up comes from learning about the real world of insurance.

"They're hearing from actual agency owners and people who work in an agency every day. They are coming into that class, and they're sharing with the students," Robertson said. "And the students can ask a question about ‘what's it like in your agency? How does that work in your agency?’"

Hall noted that class sizes are small, usually 10-15 students.

"I think they're very hands-on, make each student feel important and give them unique attention," said Hall. "Everybody's different in what support they want and need, and they're willing to provide whatever that looks like."

Your new job

InsurAcademy will provide the information you need to create a résumé, find job openings, interview, and negotiate pay. It will help you transfer skills from past schooling and careers into your new field.

Hall added, "I think a big focus of the course is just building their confidence.I can tell that a lot of people lack confidence. They think they're going to get locked in a pile of résumés because they don't have experience. So we just focus on [looking forward and saying,] ‘hey, you know, everyone is going to be new to an industry at some point.’"

Fortunately, agencies across North Carolina have identified InsurAcademy graduates as ideal employees.

Robertson said, "When the agency owner grabs that individual from InsurAcademy, they know not only how they've been taught insurance and how to sell insurance and understand insurance, but they've been taught the day to day activity within the agency, and that's a huge benefit for the agency owner."

This article was written for our sponsor, IIANC