ODU Insurance and Financial Services Center Sponsors Career Reception for Industry Personnel, Students

February 14, 2012

More than 70 professionals in insurance, risk management and financial planning will be on the Old Dominion University campus Wednesday, Feb. 15, for a careers reception.

The event, sponsored by the Insurance and Financial Services Center of ODU's College of Business and Public Administration (CBPA), will be held in the North Cafeteria of Webb Center from 5-7 p.m.

Michael McShane, assistant professor of finance and organizer of the reception, said last year's event attracted 50 industry personnel from more than 30 companies, and was attended by more than 70 students.

McShane said the goals of the reception are to provide ODU students with the opportunity to mingle with industry professionals and become aware of career possibilities.

"Most students are unfamiliar with these types of careers," said McShane, co-founder of the Emergent Risk Initiative at ODU, which specializes in the study of insurance and risk management. "We want to encourage students to take advantage of internship opportunities and for more firms in these industries to offer internships and hire ODU graduates."

The CBPA offers a major and a minor in insurance and risk management. McShane said the industry representatives attending the reception are looking for the next generation of skilled employees.

The reception is free, and appetizers will be served. Students who RSVP to McShane (mmcshane@odu.edu) will receive details about the agenda and the industry professionals attending.

"My mission is to turn the Insurance Center (http://bpa.odu.edu/insurancectr/) into an intermediary that brings the right students and corporations together, both providing the industry with the next generation of talent and students with a satisfying, meaningful and well-paying livelihood," McShane said. "Success in this mission will benefit our students, their new employers, ODU and society."