If you consider yourself to be a self-starter, enjoy making a difference in the lives of others, and are the kind of person who would appreciate the opportunity to build your own business clientele, then becoming an insurance agent might be the ideal career for you.In addition, getting an Occupational Certificate in insurance can also make the following advantages available to you:
- Qualified insurance agents make a median pay of $49,990.
- A continuing industry growth rate indicates that they’ll be 509,597 insurance agent positions available by 2024.
- Qualified insurance agents are always in high demand.
- Experienced insurance agents can always advance into other career opportunities in the finance and investment industries.
- Experienced insurance agents often get the opportunity to travel.
- The insurance industry offers potential employees both stability and flexibility.
- Previous experience is not required to become an insurance agent.
- Obtaining an Occupational Certificate in insurance is a process that can be achieved in a relatively short period of time.
Are There Any “Pre-Existing Conditions” for Becoming an Insurance Agent?
While there are no official prerequisites for becoming an insurance agent, students planning to work towards getting an Occupational Certificate in insurance should seriously consider developing the following academic skills and qualities before officially heading down this career path:Academic Skills:
- Have excellent computer, math, and reading comprehension skills
- Have some experience or background in economics, finance, or marketing
- Be bilingual
Qualities:
- Possess strong analytical skills
- Possess the ability to maintain your composure in stressful situations
- Possess strong communication skills
- Possess the ability to empathize with your clients
- Possess a strong sense of initiative
- Possess strong networking abilities
- Possess a sense of pride in your appearance
“Appraising” an Insurance Agent’s Duties.
Students who are considering working towards getting an Occupational Certificate in insurance should be aware that becoming an insurance agent can be a very demanding job.
Therefore they should “appraise” their career choice ahead of time and realize that the path they have chosen will require them to take on a multitude of responsibilities.
For example, during an average work week an insurance agent might be expected to fulfill many of following duties:
- Make yourself available to your clients on a 24/7, 365 days a year
- Be able to analyze a client’s current insurance policies and suggest potential changes
- Be able to identify various types of fraud
- Seek out potential new clients to expand your business clientele
- Be able to explain the features of various policies in detail
- Know how to handle policy renewals
- Keep all your paperwork organized and up-to-date
- Make sure any communications you initiate go to their intended audience
- Make sure the purpose of any communications you initiate is clear
- Make sure the information in your communications is accurate and well organized
Becoming an Insurance Agent Through Hocking College Has Its "Benefits!"
As of Spring 2018, students who plan to get their Occupational Certificate in insurance at Hocking College will give themselves the following advantages:- Since Hocking College's Occupational Certificate in Insurance program is an online course, students won’t have to attend their classes on campus
- Students will be able to fulfill their academic responsibilities on their own schedule
- Students will be able to complete the entire course in eight short weeks
- Students who enroll in this program will be prepared to take their Associate in General Insurance (AINS) certification exams immediately after graduation
Not only is becoming an insurance agent a great way to insure your future, but pursuing the certificate program at Hocking College gives you a flexible way to find your ideal career.
DISCLAIMER: As of November 2018, this program is no longer offered by Hocking College.
