St. Mary’s University Students Attend NAMIC Annual Convention

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Sept. 25 -- The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies issued the following news release:

Seven students from St. Mary's University Finance and Risk Management Program enjoyed an opportunity to learn firsthand what a career in insurance can offer and network with industry professionals at National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies' 123rd Annual Convention.

"That's a testament to the insurance industry that there's a hunger for young talent," said Jacob Gutierrez, 2018 St. Mary's graduate and former NAMIC Merit Society Scholarship recipient. "I'm thankful to have been a part of a risk management program that really focuses on getting students to not be looking for a job during their senior year but be deciding between job offers. That's the position I was in." Gutierrez decided to take a job as a client service representative at Texas-based Marsh-Wortham.

He and other students are aware of the looming insurance industry talent gap caused by the rapidly aging workforce and the need to fill hundreds of thousands of positions in the next five to 10 years. Majoring in a field with 100 percent job placement worked for Gutierrez and will provide others with similar degrees an advantage in finding employment upon graduation.

"I think there's at least a 15- to 20-year gap between myself and the next youngest person at my company, which is great," said Gutierrez. "I thrive in an environment where people look to me as someone to mentor. I'm a very coachable person. That's why I love where I am. I think the opportunity for young people right now is immense."

The students attended the opening keynote presentation as well as the NAMIC Merit Society luncheon where they discussed the industry with other NAMIC convention attendees. "The keynote speaker's message tied in perfectly to who I am, what I want to do, and my purpose," said Heather Evans, senior at St. Mary's University. "[Shannon Huffman Polson] motivated me to not just take your first no, and to continue to achieve."

During the NAMIC Merit Society Luncheon, Evans got to share information with NAMIC members about her current internship with Texas Housing Authority's risk management department. Her role has turned into a job offer that she anticipates accepting upon graduation. Evans also had the opportunity during the luncheon to learn about the history of mutual insurance.

This is the second year for students to participate NAMIC's Annual Convention. In 2017, a group of students from the University of Colorado Denver attended the event.