Tue 27 Mar. 2018
Institute passes University challenge!
Sheffield presents Insurance Expo and Freshers’ Week events at Sheffield Hallam University
The Insurance Institute of Sheffield (IIS) joined forces with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) to host two events designed to introduce students to careers in the insurance profession.
The first event was held during September’s Freshers’ Week for the students on SHU’s Business School courses. Presentations from Jean Cookson, the institute President, Damion Taylor, senior lecturer in Financial Management at SHU, Geoff Fenwick of Allianz, and Sheffield Deputy President, Caspar Bartington formerly of the CII gave great insight into the career options available, while Andrea Rueda of Aviva gave a post-graduate’s view of working for an insurance company.
Following the presentations students took the opportunity to network and talk to representatives from around a dozen local employers including insurers, brokers, IFA’s and loss adjusters; representatives of the IIS, and Caspar Bartington and Matt Ward from the CII, who also demonstrated the Discover Risk and Discover Fortunes game.
IIS catered for 50 people, crossed fingers that around 70-80 students would attend, and ended up pleasantly surprised to see that 150 students came along to hear about the many and varied roles in the insurance profession.
The second event was held on 24 January 2018 and was aimed at 6th Form and College students. There were around 30 students and several teachers attending from various schools and colleges in and around the IIS area, with the aim of the event to show students the variety of careers available in insurance at a time when they are considering what lies ahead after their A-level studies.
As with the Freshers’ Week event there were several presentations; by Damion Taylor, Jean Cookson and Geoff Fenwick and also Bill Padley, Mike Bond – both very experienced loss adjusters and Council Members, and Bill Bottomley, a lifetime member.
Council Members demonstrated Discover Risk and Discover Fortunes, which generated interest amongst teachers, and planted the seed for sessions being arranged at their schools.
Again, students and teachers took the opportunity to talk to local insurers, brokers, IFAs and loss adjusters, with positive feedback from students and teachers alike.
A post-event blog called ‘A career in Insurance and Personal Finance – a Risky Game?’ was written by SHU, and they have expressed interest in arranging similar events in the future, following such a successful launch.
