Louisiana Department of Insurance and College of Business at Southern University to host workshop on Insurance Career Opportunities

On Tuesday, April 12, 2011, the College of Business at Southern University A&M College and the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) will host a workshop on careers in insurance.  The workshop is designed to introduce students to opportunities in the insurance industry and the relevant courses that will be available through Southern University.   Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon will be the keynote speaker and the workshop will be followed by a Job Fair featuring representatives from a cross-section of the insurance industry.  The workshop will be held at Southern University’s T.T. Allain Hall, in room 313 from 9:30 a.m.-10:50 a.m., immediately followed by a career fair from 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.  in the second floor lobby.  Business attire is recommended. 

In recent months, the Division of Minority Affairs of the Louisiana Department of Insurance has been working closely with the College of Business at Southern University to create awareness among Southern students and the community about career opportunities in the insurance industry.   The collaborative effort has resulted in a program involving two components, both an academic and a non-academic program. 

The academic program will allow students at Southern University to take courses in insurance and earn a concentration in insurance towards their business degree (9 to 12 hours credit).  These students will also have internship opportunities with insurance companies.  The goal of the academic program is to prepare students to be employed by insurance companies to work in their corporate offices or operations centers.   Students will also be prepared to work in insurance agencies as producers.  Additionally, working with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern and the College of Business, individuals (non-students) will be able to sign up for courses to receive certificates in various insurance-related fields in addition to pre-licensing training.

“I am very pleased with the progress that the LDI Division of Minority Affairs and Southern University College of Business have made in making this goal a reality for the students and community members alike.  Providing both an academic and non-academic approach to the program will serve to open up opportunities in the insurance industry to a broad base of our citizenry.  I commend the efforts, and believe that this workshop will be the first of many such functions,” says Commissioner Donelon.    

Questions regarding the workshop or career fair can be directed to the Southern University College of Business, Department of Economics and Finance at 225-771-5944 or the Louisiana Division of Minority Affairs at 225-219-4344.  Media questions should be directed to LDI’s Public Affairs Division at 225-342-4950.