You want to move up the career ladder. What are your options if you don't have a degree?
You want to move up the career ladder. What are your options if you don't have a degree? If you work in the insurance industry, you might think that a college degree is essential to advance your career. However, there are other ways to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and potential to employers and clients. In this article, we will explore some of the options you have if you don't have a degree, but you want to move up the career ladder in insurance.
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Moustafa AmmarCHIEF MARINE ENGINEER-unlimited, DP2, AHTS-MPSV-OSV-DSV, ARAMCO APPROVAL, Diploma in Marine insurance award from North…
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Julie VogeleMarine Insurance expert, educator and industry representative at Tokio Marine America.
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Talha ShamsSenior Underwriter @ MetLife Gulf | Group Life, Disability and Group Medical | MBA | ALMI
One of the most common and effective ways to boost your credentials and credibility in the insurance industry is to get certified by a recognized organization. There are many certifications available for different types of insurance professionals, such as agents, brokers, underwriters, adjusters, claims managers, and risk managers. Some of the most popular and respected certifications are the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), the Certified Risk Manager (CRM), and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM). These certifications require passing exams, completing courses, and meeting experience requirements. They also show your commitment to learning and staying updated on the latest trends and best practices in the industry.
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The Insurance industry opens the door for various backgrounds to transition into a rewarding career in insurance by requiring licenses or cerifications to get started for some roles. There are various roles that do require a degree as well, so keep that in mind. Always stay up on continuing education with your certifications and try to make sure that you learn something new, since the industry is always changing and innovation is happening, thats a great way to stay current on the trends to learn about new insurance career paths.
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Je suis d’accord avec l’idée de la certification car elle apporte un boost à notre compétence intrinsèque mais ajoute également une plus value à notre profil. Néanmoins, je pense que le relationnel contribue également à nous faire connaître mais aussi peut nous permettre d’être recommandable. Le plus souvent les recruteurs préfèrent recruter une personne sociable et non quelqu’un qui leur créera de nombreux dans la gestion manageriale. En somme il faut travailler l’intellect mais aussi les relations car ce sera notre carte d’identité.
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My favorite mantra is KIP (knowledge is power). The more you study and develop yourself professionally, the more chances of you rising in your career come your way. This way you'll be ahead of the crowd and stand out with your education and knowledge (remember KIP). Not only at work, even clients will know that you're knowledgeable than the other person they saw the other day and will be happy to start a working relationship with you.
Another way to move up the career ladder in insurance is to build your network of contacts and relationships. Networking can help you find new opportunities, learn from others, get referrals, and gain visibility and recognition. You can network in various ways, such as attending events, joining associations, participating in online forums, asking for introductions, and following up with your connections. Networking can also help you find mentors and sponsors who can guide you, support you, and advocate for you in your career development. You should network with people both inside and outside your company, and across different levels and functions.
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In my experience, actively networking has been instrumental in my career progression. An example of this is when I attended a local industry event/ company event and met a key decision-maker who later recommended me for a challenging project, significantly boosting my visibility within the company. I agree that networking is crucial, but it's equally important to follow up and nurture those connections over time. Simply exchanging business cards at events often isn't enough to build meaningful relationships that can lead to future opportunities.
A third way to move up the career ladder in insurance is to showcase your achievements and contributions to your current and potential employers and clients. You can do this by creating a portfolio of your work, such as reports, proposals, case studies, testimonials, awards, and recognitions. You can also highlight your skills, knowledge, and expertise by writing articles, blogs, newsletters, or books on topics related to your field. You can also offer to speak at events, webinars, podcasts, or workshops on relevant issues and trends. Showcasing your achievements can help you demonstrate your value, stand out from the crowd, and attract more attention and opportunities.
A fourth way to move up the career ladder in insurance is to seek feedback and improvement on your performance and potential. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as areas for growth and development. You can seek feedback from your managers, peers, clients, mentors, or coaches. You can also use self-assessment tools, such as 360-degree feedback, personality tests, or skill tests. You should use feedback to create a personal development plan that outlines your goals, actions, resources, and timelines. You should also seek improvement by taking courses, reading books, watching videos, listening to podcasts, or joining online communities that can help you learn new skills, knowledge, or perspectives.
A fifth way to move up the career ladder in insurance is to be proactive and adaptable in your work and career. Being proactive means taking initiative, seeking opportunities, solving problems, and making suggestions. Being adaptable means being flexible, resilient, and open to change. You can be proactive and adaptable by staying updated on the industry trends, challenges, and opportunities, and by anticipating and responding to the needs and expectations of your employers and clients. You can also be proactive and adaptable by exploring different roles, projects, or assignments that can help you expand your horizons, gain new experiences, and develop new skills. Being proactive and adaptable can help you show your leadership, creativity, and innovation, and make you more valuable and marketable in the industry.
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