Insurance-Focused College Students Weigh in on Employers
Gamma Iota Sigma’s 2025 recruiting survey has key insights for insurance industry employers.
Do you want to know what’s really going on in the minds of today’s college juniors and seniors when it comes to recruitment and retention in the insurance industry?
Move over, Magic 8 Ball—Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) has some answers, and they might surprise you.
Or maybe not. As it turns out, some of the concerns of near-future insurance professionals are no doubt similar to those of their predecessors: a stable career, good health insurance, corporate culture, and support for professional development. They also care about an employer’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
Before we dive into details of the findings, here’s a quick refresher. Gamma Iota Sigma is the insurance industry’s premier collegiate talent pipeline, with a network of more than 5,000 students across 100 colleges and universities in North America. Its mission—to promote and sustain student interest in insurance, risk management, and actuarial science—aligns closely with The Council Foundation’s goal of diversifying and expanding our industry’s student talent pipeline.
As it turns out, some of the concerns of near-future insurance professionals are no doubt similar to those of their predecessors: a stable career, good health insurance, corporate culture, and support for professional development.
Each year, GIS conducts a recruiting survey of rising juniors and seniors who are pursuing insurance-related careers. This year’s survey encompassed 653 students from 79 schools. More than half study risk management and insurance, with a near-even gender split and broad ethnic diversity.
Standing Out From the Pack
When asked what differentiates one company from another, 40% of students surveyed pointed to corporate culture—the organization’s personality, how teams communicate and collaborate, and whether people feel good about coming to work. Company reputation ranked second at 28%, reflecting how students check a company’s Glassdoor reviews, media coverage, social presence, and awards before deciding where to apply. Other leading points of distinction were opportunities for career growth and learning.
The ESG Equation: People First
ESG continues to influence student evaluations of potential employers:
- 79% said living green is somewhat to extremely important;
- 37% said they would accept a lower salary to work for a company that prioritizes ESG; and
- 32% assessed a company’s commitment to climate change.
However, when asked which part of ESG matters most, students overwhelmingly prioritized the social dimension—issues that directly impact people—over environmental or governance concerns, according to the survey report. They care deeply about diversity and inclusion, fair labor practices, mental health support, pay equity, and community engagement. While sustainability and ethical leadership matter, these students see human impact as more immediate and personally relevant.
Young job seekers increasingly view social responsibility as a reflection of company culture. For them, “doing good” starts with how a company treats its employees, customers, and communities. This means that employers demonstrating inclusive hiring, equitable pay, mental health initiatives, and community involvement will have a competitive edge in attracting young talent.
Compensation Considerations
When asked what they value most in a compensation package, students ranked options in this order:
- Healthcare
- Base salary
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Professional designation/continuing education reimbursement
- Bonus potential
- Maternity/paternity leave
- Perks (e.g., gym memberships, cell phone reimbursement)
- Tuition assistance
- Student loan repayment
Interestingly, maternity/paternity leave and student loan repayment rose sharply in 2025, though the report does not cite possible reasons for the jumps up the rankings list.
Where Students Look for Jobs
- 24% attend Gamma Iota Sigma events
- 18% use online job boards
- 17% reconnect with employers where they interned
- 16% attend school career fairs
- 12% rely on faculty advisors
- 9% reach out to alumni networks
- 3% use school career services
Why Students Choose Insurance
When asked why they chose insurance specifically, nearly 50% of survey participants said they were first exposed to insurance through a faculty member, proof that professors often serve as powerful ambassadors for the industry. Twenty-seven percent cited the multifaceted nature of insurance, which brings together a wide range of disciplines, skill sets, and career paths, and 23% were drawn to the industry’s stability.
Students identified the most meaningful employer investments, ranked by importance, as:
- Scholarships
- Internships
- Mentorships (rated by 84% as very to extremely important)
- Professional development
- Travel stipends for industry conferences
- Educational opportunities
When evaluating an employer’s commitment to DEI, students prioritize fairness in recruiting practices (the top factor in 2025), diversity in leadership, representation at all levels, gender pay equity, inclusive culture, and accountability and measurable progress.
This generation of students brings both high expectations and a deep desire for meaning. They’re looking for employers that offer not just opportunity, but alignment with their values: organizations that invest in people, act with integrity, and make a difference in their communities.
If you want to attract the best young talent, start by showing that your company walks the talk, because for Gen Z, culture and conscience go hand in hand.
