CPCU Society Tackles Diversity

User Comments

1. Bill Reed

   June 15, 2009 at 6:07 am

   This is not a “diversity” issue; it’s one of intelligence,motivation, and commitment. CPCU is essentially a self-study program open to just about any insurance professional who chooses to undertake it. The fact that only 2% are black is not the Society’s problem. It seems that “diversity” is only an issue when a minority group has difficulty assimilating into a larger group. Then, some people think it’s the larger group’s problem to open doors. A little objective introspection would go a long way to finding out why the % isn’t better. Could be blacks don’t like insurance as a career.

2. Jane Densch

   June 15, 2009 at 8:14 am

   Obtaining the CPCU designation requires intelligence, motivation and commitment. However the “diversity” issue is industry wide, not just CPCU. There is a need within the insurance industry to attract younger employees as well as minorities. And, those committed to the insurance industry will take the necessary steps to insure their crediblity and readiness for advancement such as completing the CPCU courses in addition to exceeding in their regular job functions. Also, as Marvin notes, CPCU is not a designation just for insurance company employees but also anyone in the insurance industry who wants to gain a better understanding of the whole industry.

3. Derek

   June 15, 2009 at 4:33 pm

   As an African American and recent graduate of insurance and finance who will be pursuing a CPCU, I don’t believe Mr. Kelly is attempting to make it a societal issue, but one of the insurance industries and business programs to make awareness of opportunities within insurance; for young people in general and minorities. Many professionals have told me the median age is getting higher and it is an issue. The same issues are present in the accounting field with the CPA. It’s because a majority of minorities don’t pursue those fields due to lack of exposure to them in communities and not know what’s out there. Especially within insurance, I can’t name the number of people in the industry who told me they kind of fell into the field. A lot more tend to go into areas such as education or social services which have more presence within the minority communities. I only came to know of the industry because my school offered the major as an option and has a very good program which afforded the opportunity to even meet the CPCU president.

4. George

   July 1, 2009 at 12:20 pm

   In my opinion CPCU and insurance should be encouraged among young people and particularly the minorities who may not be aware of the various career opportunities. Ideally the plan should be to increase CPCU and insurance carrers at the middle and high school level so that the seeds are planted in young people. As a minority CPCU, I became aware of the insurance industry via a relative who happened to be an agent. In life we become what we see and we need to create the positive image particularly to those who may not easily have access to that information.

5. Ed

   July 6, 2009 at 11:18 am

   I read with interest the comments regarding CPCU. I am an African American male with a B.A. in Business. I think that one of the challenges in obtaining a CPCU is the lack of opportunities to attend a class room environment. My understanding is that several years ago you could attend classes to prepare for the tests. It appears that these classes no longer exist. I personally find it difficult to do self study when I am concerned about the regular issues of life. In regards to the minority piece of the equation I dont think that CPCU is the issue. I think that many African Americans dont get in to insurance because they dont want to have to sell insurance. When I first got in to the industry 18 years ago I was working as a claim rep and the office manager felt comfortable enough to ask me why more African Americans dont apply for insurance jobs. Obviously I cant answer for a whole race of people but I do believe that their are 2 fairly good reasons that more dont apply. The first being their environment. If you dont know of insurance person who looks like you then you probably wont have a desire to try something that you dont believe is welcoming of your kind. The second issue is that many people of all races believe that the only jobs in insurance are sales jobs and that is a turn off to many people. I think if we do a better job of educating all types of people as to what opportunities are available with in the industry we will be able to increase the minority participation in insurance overall the designations will follow.

6. Don

   August 14, 2009 at 8:04 am

   I disagree with Bill Reed’s comment that “[t]his is not a “diversity” issue; it’s one of intelligence,motivation, and commitment.” Diversity is an intelligence issue, intelligence, as defined by Webster’s dictionary, meaning “the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations.” Only through ignorance (i.e., the lack of knowledge, education, or awareness) could someone conclude, as he did, that “[c]ould be blacks don’t like insurance as a career.”