WSIA for Students

WSIA offers a variety of educational and outreach programs to support college students majoring in risk management and insurance and those interested in working in the excess and surplus lines industry. 

Watch this short video to learn more about WSIA opportunities for students!

Sign up to receive the WSIA U-News and stay updated on all the opportunities for students. 

Symposiums

Five college symposiums are held each year for Risk Management and Insurance students. All include a Career Fair, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and educational sessions with both young and experienced professionals.  Learn more here. 

Internships

Each fall, 22 interns are selected for a nine-week summer experience (four weeks with a carrier and five weeks with a broker) at WSIA member firms across the country. Students are paid $18 per hour and WSIA provides transportation and housing. Learn more here.

Insurance Scholarships 

Each spring, the WSIA Education Foundation awards up to 22 scholarships worth $5,000 each for the next academic year to undergraduate students studying risk management and insurance as part of the Derek Hughes Scholarship Program. Learn more here. 

White Paper Contest

WSIA sponsors a White Paper Contest twice a year to expand surplus lines awareness and knowledge for undergraduate college students studying risk management and insurance, actuarial science, finance and business. Winning papers are published on the WSIA website and winners receive: 1st place - $1,500 award; 2nd place - $1,000; 3rd place - $500.

Winning White Papers

Campus Presentations

WSIA schedules visits by industry professionals on college campuses where they present information about careers in the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry or industry cases studies to classes or GIS chapter meetings. To request a presenter, please complete the College Visit Request Form.

Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) Involvement

WSIA and the WSIA Education Foundation participates in the GIS International Conference Career Fair and education sessions. Students can stop by the WSIA table or attend a presentation to receive brochures and flyers about programs and events and to ask questions of WSIA staff. For more information on Gamma Iota Sigma and to learn more about their events, click here.

Surplus Lines Fundamentals Online Course

Students and faculty can access an online course to learn why the surplus lines market is needed, how its distribution system works, how surplus lines transactions are regulated and how the surplus lines market is able to successfully underwrite risks that the standard market has declined. Anyone interested in accessing the course should contact Lindsay Holland at [email protected].   

University Grant Program

The Foundation established a grant program to support the growth of both new and established risk management and insurance and actuarial science programs. Grants ranging from $250 - $5,000 are awarded each fall and spring semester to support fundraising events, the attendance at WSIA symposiums, and student events. Learn more here.