9AUGUST 2025on historical norms. For example, traditional property and liability risk models developed slowly based on an accumulation of years of experience and many incidents. Though valid and appreciative, those risks are now joined by rapidly evolving and complex siblings. The pace of technological change, globalization, political upheavals and severe weather events, to name a few, have introduced new, more complicated and integrated exposures. Traditional methods alone cannot keep up. Concepts such as real-time data, predictive modeling and, most importantly, critical thinking are now essential in successfully steering through this new world of risk. A risk and insurance professional today needs to be knowledgeable of the past and adaptable, able to communicate in words and data and provide forward-looking strategies. Additionally, as an industry, we need these skills earlier than ever in our professions as we do not have the luxury of prolonged on-the-job training. Educational programs and degrees specific to risk management help the industry meet this need by exposing students to the foundational historical risk management paradigm and giving them the tools, training and knowledge to tackle the modern risk challenges. As the discipline of risk management has evolved, so have its educational requirements. Only a few risk management degrees were available in the past, and the industry relied more on certifications and experience. Multiple degree programs exist today, and certifications have become broader and more all-encompassing. Programs integrate case studies, simulations, data analysis, and real-world scenarios. Realizing the next generations of risk professionals need to be different than in the past, industry-leading insurers, brokers, risk departments and associations have begun partnering with educational institutions to provide mentorship, curriculum guidance, internships and other forms of interactive support in addition to their internal programs. This collaboration provides many benefits to the industry as it generates a stable pipeline of talent already versed in technical risk knowledge and critical thinking. It also reduces hiring organizations' onboarding and recruiting costs.As the risk environment evolves quickly and increasingly complex, the need for a critical-thinking and adaptable risk management workforce has never been greater. Collaboration between industry and educational institutions is helping to build a more skilled and resilient talent pool ready to meet the rapidly changing risk landscape challenges. The young professionals entering the field are equipped with technical knowledge and a future-focused, critical-thinking risk mindset. I should not say that people no longer "fall into" our industry, as it is an exciting and dynamic workplace. However, today's educational opportunities and collaborations make it a smart choice for students who want a great career in a fast-paced and dynamic industry.
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