Insuring Ohio Futures with Careers in Insurance

Since Ohio government, insurance company and higher education leaders announced an exciting initiative in March to fill more than 17,000 insurance-related jobs over the next five years, early successes have already been made towards securing dynamic, well-paying jobs for Ohioans.

Partners in the Insuring Ohio Futures initiative have been working to highlight job opportunities and also educate Ohioans about the insurance career opportunities available to college graduates, career changers and veterans in the state.

“Over the past several months, Insuring Ohio Futures has been engaging these audiences in ways that demonstrate how interesting and stable insurance jobs can be,” Ohio Lieutenant Governor and Insurance Directory Mary Taylor said.

Ohio’s strong insurance industry already employs nearly 100,000 Ohioans. In fact, there are 240 insurance companies that call Ohio home and those companies are based in communities across the state. Now, with the combination of growth and expansion, and the retirement of baby boomers, fulfilling job opportunities are available to many different professionals. Ohio’s jobs website, OhioMeansJobs.com, provides a glimpse of the options for accountants, actuaries, attorneys, IT specialists, and those with training in communications, marketing, social media and web design.

Until recently, Ohio’s colleges and universities offered few programs in insurance or risk management. Industry and higher education leaders have worked together to create a significant number of new higher education courses.

Last fall, Kent State University launched an insurance major. What started there with a single declared major has now grown to 40 students majoring in insurance. In Columbus, Franklin University has started an insurance program and Columbus State will offer a Foundations of Insurance Certificate beginning in January 2014.

The Lindner Family announced a $5 million endowment at the University of Cincinnati to create the Carl H. Lindner III Center for Insurance and Risk Management.

“They’re well-paying jobs,” Taylor said of what lies ahead for students. “These are the types of opportunities we hope our kids will take a look at.”

An introductory course is being offered and a full program will begin in January 2014. With more than 18,500 insurance jobs located in Butler, Hamilton and Warren counties, the University of Cincinnati is well positioned to make a significant impact in Southwestern Ohio for years to come.

In early December, Taylor was in Dayton speaking with service members at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, who were preparing for the transition to civilian life. She said the insurance industry is the perfect place to turn to start a new career.

“We want to make sure we employ as many Ohioans in this industry as we can,” Taylor said.

Information about the Insuring Ohio Futures initiative is available at www.insuringohiofutures.com.

Source: Ohio Insurance Department