New data collected by the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey and New Jersey Young Insurance Professionals indicates that recent college graduates are expressing a greater interest in the insurance industry.

A joint recruitment campaign by both professional associations at local colleges has resulted in the collection of more than 350 resumes in their Project Y/Agency Staffing Assistance Program student-resume database, the groups recently announced. The resumes in the database, which can be accessed by PIA members, include interest in a variety of insurance positions, including sales, marketing and claims, as well as interest in internships.

The database is comprised of resumes from college students without experience in the New Jersey insurance marketplace, but indicating an interest in an industry career. The effort is part of an ongoing campaign by the PIA to address the difficulty independent agencies face in finding new agents to join their firms and the broader challenge of perpetuating the industry as current professionals quickly reach retirement age.

The Project Y outreach effort includes a website and marketing materials designed to encourage young people to learn more about and consider careers in insurance, as well as college visits and job fair participation by members of both the PIANJ and NJYIP.

William R. Vowteras

William R. Vowteras, president of PIANJ, said that college students are realizing that insurance is a “smart career choice, particularly in the current economy, as the field is recession resistant–people always need insurance.”

“Through the joint PIANJ/NJYIP effort, we are working to eliminate misconceptions about the industry and help the next generation understand what insurance really entails: counseling people, protecting their assets and helping them when they need it most,” Vowteras said in a statement.

NJYIP President Danielle Priori added that it is “both encouraging and exciting to see the success of the resume database.”

PIA members can access the database through the association’s website, and are encouraged to check back regularly as new candidates are often added.