Risk Management and Insurance Studies Program Helps Create New Career Options

Monday, June 15, 2020
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Are you preparing for your future career or seeking to re-career? Have you ever thought of working in the financial services or insurance industry? If you haven’t, you may want to think again.

Did you know that the financial services and insurance industry is expected to grow 25%*? This “bright outlook” means that organizations will be looking for competitive candidates trained to hit the ground running with educational credentials such as college degrees or certificates.

According to the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, there are 6,452 finance and insurance firms located in the Phoenix-metropolitan area. Collectively, these firms employ more than 140,000 people in an array of occupations across the financial services and insurance spectrum. And this particular field continues to grow as the surrounding area serves as the hub for multiple global entities, many of which are near Scottsdale Community College. Firms like Nationwide, Vanguard, State Farm and Freedom Financial offer promising career opportunities.

To provide the desired skills training and workforce development, SCC is offering the Risk Management and Insurance Studies certificate program, an 18-credit program that can be completed in a short period of time through a flexible schedule of online courses. A blend of risk management, insurance and business courses provides the foundational skills for a path into the financial services or insurance professional world. Here’s a sample of roles within the fields along with corresponding salaries (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018):

Job Title Median Salary
Insurance Sales Agent $46,510
Insurance, Claims $40,670
Financial Analyst $74,240
Financial Specialist $71,620
Insurance Underwriters $72,450
Insurance Appraisers, Automobile $58,610

Even though a candidate may start out in an entry-level position, understanding the fundamentals of the industry, familiarizing oneself with an organization’s culture, and leveraging tuition reimbursement programs for additional professional development will position employees extremely well to advance in this thriving industry and to access a variety of potential paths once inside the organization.

So what are you waiting for? Check out SCC's Risk Management and Insurance Studies program and start your future.


*10-year growth rate from 2016-2026 according to O*Net.