Resources for Conducting Successful Insurance Internship Programs During the COVID-19 Lockdown

By James Ballot, Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications, Triple-I

Gamma Iota Sigma Steps Up to Help Insurers and Students Stay Connected

In response to the Covid-19 crisis Gamma Iota Sigma (“GIS”), the insurance industry’s premier collegiate talent pipeline, will host a webinar, Delivering A Successful Virtual Internship Experience on Monday, April 6, 1:00pm-2:00pm (Eastern).

Through this interactive online session and its accompanying digital resources, GIS is stepping up in support of insurers’ efforts to conduct internships remotely at a time when physical workspaces are shuttered to facilitate social distancing.

The companion guidebook to this event, Virtual Internships A Guide for Employers, explains the tremendous value of remote internships and offers tactical guidance on how to rethink and rework internship programs to better suit today’s candidates for tomorrow’s workforce. The accompanying sample internship syllabus gives a practical framework for how to effectively and efficiently organize and administer remote internships.

GIS developed this campaign in response to disruption and dislocation created by the Covid-19 pandemic. By retaining and enhancing internship programs while college and corporate campuses are closed, organizations can get a head start in:

Entering an expanded talent pool that’s optimized to succeed Finding candidates that can work independently, face a wide range of challenges and “think on their feet” Building increased flexibility into existing programs to attract highly qualified candidates who otherwise would not be able to participate Reducing costs associated with on-site internshipsPositioning their brand and corporate values for future success in on-campus recruitment

But perhaps most the most important reason to do this: The 18-25 age cohort already learns, works, socializes and lives primarily online. Teens and young adults are a workforce prepared for the challenges of life during and after the COVID-19 crisis. Remote internships not only help students stay focused on their goals; they offer insurers an invaluable opportunity to adjust on the fly to the realities of our culture in the 2020s and beyond.

Today’s students are ready for this. Organizations like Gamma Iota Sigma are working to ensure that insurance businesses and our industry are ready for them.