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Use these resources to help jumpstart your higher ed risk management career

Getting Young Professionals Set up for Success

Stepping into the world of higher education risk management can feel like being handed the keys to a complex and unfamiliar machine. From navigating your institution’s insurance portfolio to developing campus-wide relationships, the learning curve is steep. But with the right mindset—and the right resources—young professionals can thrive in this space and shape long, impactful careers.

Start by Owning Your Onboarding

Every institution is different, but one of the best things a new risk manager can do is create a working inventory of all insurance policies. Develop a 1–2 page summary document that explains coverage types, limits, deductibles, and relevant contacts. This is your go-to reference sheet and an invaluable training tool for the “future you”—or whoever takes the reins after you.

In my early days, I also leaned heavily on risk managers at sister institutions, particularly within the University of North Carolina System. These peers provided insights into shared challenges and offered templates, pass-downs, and real-world advice that saved me hours of reinventing the wheel.

Leverage Educational Opportunities

Many universities offer tuition waivers or continuing education funding for employees. I used this benefit to pursue an MBA, strengthening my leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills. Additionally, my institution covered the cost of becoming a certified risk manager (CRM), a designation that gave me immediate practical tools for my job.

Here are a few other excellent professional development options to explore:

• CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) - Affordable for students, with scholarships and discounted rates for educators and public sector employees
• Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
• URMIA-hosted courses and webinars
• State and local trainings on public risk, FEMA/NIMS, or occupational safety
• Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) - Engage with students and local chapters
• PRIMA (Public Risk Management Association) - Great local involvement opportunities
• Associate in Risk Management (ARM^TM) - The Institutes also has an ARM^TM-to-CPCU pathway

Tap into Community Wisdom

When you encounter complex or tricky situations—and you will—don’t hesitate to ask questions. Use your brokers and underwriters as the technical experts they are. Post in URMIA’s community forums or YoPro discussions. Share your knowledge and learn from others; even a single post can generate multiple valuable responses and perspectives.

Also, seek out allies on your own campus. Make it a priority to network with:

• Internal Audit
• General Counsel
• Environmental Health and Safety
• Campus Police and Emergency Management
• Housing, Athletics, and Student Affairs
• Facilities

Building these relationships reinforces that risk managers aren’t the “no” people—we’re the ones who help others say “yes, but safely.”

Stay Organized for the Next Generation

If you inherited a chaotic system, use it as an opportunity to build a better one. Create and improve “pass-down” documents, digitize everything in OneNote, Google Docs, or SharePoint, and centralize links, training guides, and references. Think not only of your current self, but also your future self and those who will eventually follow in your role.

Expand Your Network, Locally, and Nationally

In addition to URMIA, get involved in local risk management organizations or CPCU chapters. Participate in mentorships through URMIA or through your alma mater’s alumni networks. Reach out to local government officials to make sure your risk plans align with municipal codes and emergency operations. Collaboration across institutions and sectors broadens your knowledge and deepens your resource base.

Please join the URMIA YoPro Community to continue the conversation!

Helpful Resources to Get Started

Here’s a curated list of tools and organizations to help you grow:

🎓 URMIA Resource Library

👥 URMIA YoPro Community

🎓 CPCU Society – New Designee & Student Resources

🛡️ Certified Risk Manager Program (CRM)

📚 Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)

🎓 Associate in Risk Management (ARM)

🏛️ PRIMA – Public Risk Management Association

🎓 Gamma Iota Sigma – Risk & Insurance Student Organization

🤖 ChatGPT - Use for research, summaries, and idea generation

Final Thought

Your growth as a young professional doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s fueled by curiosity, community, and a willingness to admit what you don’t yet know. The more you engage, ask questions, and invest in your development, the more you’ll thrive—and the more valuable you’ll become to your institution and the profession at large.

By Kate Miller, Risk Management Analyst, Christopher Newport University

By Drew Nicholson, Insurance and Risk Manager, North Carolina State University

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