Kelly Fortner, senior insurance and risk management major in Indiana State University’s College of Business, has been awarded a prestigious summer internship by the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices(NAPSLO).
The NAPSLO Internship Program awards paid internships to college students interested in an insurance career. Interns spend nine weeks with member firms learning all aspects of the surplus lines industry. They receive a competitive salary from their host firms and the association provides a stipend, covers travel, housing and various other expenses. Interns also compete for an additional internship in London in summer 2009.
Fortner will serve her internship with Markel Essex insurance, a more than 75-year-old surplus lines company in Glen Allen, Va., and Westrope in Kansas City, Mo., the seventh largest privately held commercial insurance brokerage firm in the U.S.
“I feel very fortunate to have received this internship. The NAPSLO internship is looked upon highly by excess and surplus lines companies. I know that I will learn so much about this side of the insurance business and also be able to connect with many people through this experience. I am looking forward to the unique opportunity ahead, Fortner said
“The insurance and risk management program, along with the Networks Professional Development Program, have helped me so much in being able to achieve this goal. The people in the insurance program office started helping me even before the application process and continue to help me now,†she said. “The professional development program has given me skills and experience with resume writing and interviewing. Someone from Indiana State ��" whether faculty or staff ��" has helped me and given me advice every step of the way.â€Â
The insurance and risk management program at Indiana State University’s College of Business is recognized as a source of future talent for the insurance industry, said Terrie Troxel, professor of insurance and risk management.
“We have a special relationship with NAPSLO because our students find excitement in this dynamic part of the business. Kelly Fortner is the type of student who steps-up to the challenges inherent in the surplus lines insurance market and will gain valuable experience from her NAPSLO internship,†Troxel said.
NAPSLO’s internship program was established in 1981 to interest students in the surplus lines industry, which handles unique, unusual or hard-to-place risks. Since its inception, more than 160 students have participated in the program and over half of the former interns are currently working in the insurance industry.
Students work five weeks for an insurance company and four weeks with a wholesale broker firm. Interns gain experience in all areas, including accounting, brokerage, claims, marketing, regulatory compliance, reinsurance and underwriting.
Based on evaluations and recommendations from the host firms, selected interns are invited to attend the NAPSLO Annual Convention in the fall. The interns are interviewed at the convention and one is selected as the Joseph H. Blades Memorial Scholar and receives an additional three-week internship in underwriting, claims, accounting, marketing and regulatory compliance.
A 2005 graduate of North Putnam High School, Fortner is the daughter of Nick and Donna Volz of Indianapolis and Danny Fortner of Coatesville.
While at Indiana State, she has worked as an academic peer advocate, helping freshmen with academic needs; served a safety internship with Indianapolis Power and Light and served as a night host in a university residence hall. A Networks Scholar, she is a member of the Insurance and Risk Management Honors Corps, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and has been active in the Networks Professional Development, Gamma Iota Sigma risk management society, and was active for two semesters in College Mentors for Kids.
Photo:
Kelly Fortner
Contact: Terrie Troxel, professor of insurance and risk management and director, Gongaware Center, College of Business, Indiana State University, 812-237-2442 or troxel@isugw.indstate.edu
Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu