More than two dozen Appalachian State Risk Management & Insurance (RMI) and Actuarial Sciences majors, along with industry professionals from the Brantley Center Board of Advisors, participated in the September 20 Professional Skills Day & Etiquette Meal in Peacock Hall. Amy Odom from Walker College of Business Career Services led an interactive session on professional skills to help prepare students for the upcoming internship and job recruiting season, as well as success during travel to industry events.
To supplement Ms. Odom’s presentation, each student completed the Clifton Strengths Assessment prior to the event to learn more about how their skills align with insurance industry opportunities. Volunteers from the Brantley Center Board of Advisors and industry partners Cameron Annas from Granite Insurance and Tommy Hefner with Jackson Sumner & Associates led the students through small group reviews of their strengths and how these skills match up with various industry roles, both for internships and professional positions.
Mike Mitchell, North Carolina Area President for RPS and Brantley Center Board Skills Committee Chair added, "It’s encouraging to see how many students attended and how engaged they were. Participating in events like this will help prepare them for real life business situations that aren’t taught in the text book."
After the Professional Skills and Clifton Strengths portion, students and industry volunteers took part in an Etiquette Meal lead by Amy Odom. Recruiters routinely comment on how well AppState students handle themselves in professional settings thanks to these training and professional development events through the Brantley Center.
(Amy Odom from Walker College of Business Career Services leads the Etiquette Meal)
Professional Skills Day and the Etiquette Meal are integral components to the new “Summit Certification” program for AppState RMI and Actuarial Science majors. Read more about this new extracurricular professional development certification program here: https://insurance.appstate.edu/students/summit-certification .
The IIANC Education Foundation annually provides funding to make the Professional Skills Day and Etiquette Meal possible for Appalachian students through the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center.
About the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center
The Brantley Risk and Insurance Center in Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business enhances the academic experience by providing space and staff to assist risk management and insurance majors with networking, job placement preparation and contact with faculty members outside the classroom. It provides students opportunities to participate in professional designation and licensing programs, and invites industry leaders to participate in classes and speak to student organizations. It also fosters research and faculty development, assists the insurance industry in the design and delivery of continuing education programs and helps educate the public about the insurance industry. Learn more at https://insurance.appstate.edu
Appalachian's Risk Management and Insurance Program is the sixth largest in the country according to Business Insurance magazine. The college's Brantley Risk and Insurance Center, founded in 1988 with support from the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, supports research and faculty development, assists the insurance industry in the design and delivery of training and continuing education programs, and facilitates interaction between students, faculty and the professionals in the insurance industry. Appalachian is designated a Global Center of Insurance Excellence by the International Insurance Society. For more information about the Center, visit www.insurance.appstate.edu .
Fall 2019 Etiquette Meal
