This article is part of a series sponsored by the Risk Insurance Education Alliance.
The future of insurance is in today’s classrooms.
We believe this truth to be self-evident: when young people gain insurance knowledge, real exposure to professional pathways and meaningful contact with industry professionals, the results are extraordinary.
“For more than ten years, Bureau of Labor Statistics data Approximately 400,000 insurance jobs have been shown to need to be replaced, a number that remains significant as retirements accelerate. While automation and artificial intelligence will change the nature of work, they also highlight the evolving, technology-driven careers in our industry. This is our opportunity to show students that insurance is more than just a policy, it is about analysis, problem solving and building community resilience.“—— Noel Codisporti | Head of Academy and Emerging Talent Programs
Basic insurance education is proven to be transformative for high school and college students, opening the door to careers with strong earning potential while creating more informed future insurance consumers. This work is at the heart of the work carried out by the Alliance for Research in Risk and Insurance Education through the CISR High School Program and the College Associates Program, and is enabled by a dedicated network of emerging talent partners.
The Alliance’s Emerging Talent Program bridges the gap between education and employment, giving insurance professionals a direct way to strengthen their local talent pipeline and make a tangible impact in their own communities through connections with schools.
Katie Knapp: Proof of the power of early contact
Katy Knapp, CISR, is already making waves in the industry just one year out of high school. in a recent episode Alliance Insightsshe shares how early exposure through CISR’s high school program, ongoing involvement with local insurance professionals, and a formative high school internship helped her find a thriving career.
Local Industry Engagement: The Important Link between Classroom and Career
The CISR high school program gives students the opportunity to gain an insurance education, explore career paths, obtain early professional qualifications and pursue academic opportunities for direct employment or higher education. The curriculum is flexible and adaptable to meet the specific needs of a state or school, can be implemented in any classroom, and can even be completed independently. To deepen exposure, the Alliance launched Virtual Career Networking, which attracted 20 speakers from 17 companies across the industry, showcasing the many opportunities and pathways available. Planning for the 2026 series is ongoing.
Courses and certificates provide the foundation. But what really changes your life? It is the participation of local industry.
Jack Elliott: Building the future through insurance
in another episode Alliance InsightsJack Elliott, Alera Group Regional Vice President and Research Institute Board Chairman, reflects on how a high school internship changed the course of his life. Today, he champions emerging talent and urges his colleagues to showcase their talents to students.
Katie’s success story reflects what happens when real professionals invest in real time:
- visit classroom
- Share their career journey stories
- Provide job shadowing, mentoring and internships
These touchpoints are not small gestures, but life-shaping interventions.
A call to action: The industry’s next leader awaits
Every classroom visited, every internship offered, and every dollar contributed helps shape the next Katie, the next Jack, the next generation of insurance industry leaders. The need for exceptional talent is not a problem of the future, but a current opportunity, and we all have a role to play. By supporting emerging talent programs, the industry unlocks potential, strengthens communities and develops a workforce for a growing industry.
When we invest early, we don’t just fill jobs. We change lives.
Explore CISR High School Programs:
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