NU Online News Service, July 7, 4:19 p.m.EDT

Whether it's the recession or just a better job of recruiting, aNew Jersey agents association says more recent graduates areexpressing an interest in careers in the insurance industry.

The recruitment campaign at local colleges in New Jersey by theProfessional Insurance Agents of New Jersey and New Jersey YoungInsurance Professionals has resulted in the collection of more than350 resumes to date to the Project Y/Agency Staffing AssistanceProgram student-resume online database.

"Students realize that the insurance industry is a smart careerchoice, particularly in the current economy, as the field isrecession resistant--people always need insurance," William R.Vowteras, president of the PIANJ, said in a statement.

Kim Voelker, director of the Young Insurance ProfessionalDepartment of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, toldNational Underwriter that the recruitment program is inits third year and has developed a message that "promotes insuranceas a viable career choice for young people."

Collecting resumes is only one aspect of the program, she noted.The other involves visiting at least 10 college campuses in thestate and discussing with them the merits of choosing a career ininsurance. Only students who express an interest in a career in theindustry have their resumes taken and posted in the database forPIA members to view, said Ms. Voelker.

Last year there were 150 resumes collected. Today there arecurrently 280 active resumes, she said, noting that students areregularly contacted to determine if they are still available andinterested.

"I can't say definitively that there is an increased interest ininsurance," said Ms. Voelker, acknowledging that the recessioncould be having an impact. She said the increased numbers couldalso be the result of improved recruiting methods.

"We think we are getting better at what we do," she said.

She stressed that when members attend the job fairs at collegecampuses they don't accept resumes from everyone, but only studentswho verbally express an interest in the insurance industry.

While PIANJ and the YIPNJ have been at this for three years, therelated organizations, PIANY and PIA Conn., have been at this forabout a year. Both are forming relationships with colleges andworking at getting the word out about the insurance sector.

"Each association is approaching this in a way that makes sensefor them," she noted.

Access to the Web site is limited to PIA members at www.pia.org/IRC/asap/njresume.php.