Garrett Droege, CWCA, CRIS, CLCS
Commercial risk advisor/producer
JJ Wade Agency
Years at company: 3 years
College: University of North Carolina at Wilmington '02
Organizations: CPCU Society, IIANC
Do your top carriers recruit young workers?
They do. Unfortunately, I've seen many young employees get burnt out by carriers and they end up writing off the entire industry. There are so many opportunities in our industry, there's bound to be a good fit for everyone somewhere.
How did you determine that insurance was a viable career choice?
I came from a liberal arts background and knew nothing about business. At some point I realized that creative pursuits are not necessarily great for supporting a family. My father-in-law runs the agency, and asked me if I had ever considered insurance. I had not, but it has been such a perfect fit.
What's the toughest thing about being a young agent in a field where the average age is 55?
I see age as my biggest advantage, actually. I specialize in industries that have a younger workforce (technology), so I typically have more in common with them than most agents. I think if younger agents embraced their age rather than defended it, their clients and prospects would see the advantages.
What are your future goals in this industry?
I would like to be an agency owner. I also would like to help the industry on a larger level. We work in one of the most misunderstood and mistrusted industries, thanks to the commoditization of insurance. If I can help restore some of the honor of what we do, I will be happy.
What skills do you think young agents need in 2011?
They need to continue their education. I am currently going for my CPCU and CIC, and my level of knowledge is very high thanks to these programs. You can remove the doubt about being young if you can demonstrate through your actions that you are a professional and that you are an expert in your field.
What new technologies should young agents use to get a leg up in this industry?
At a minimum, young agents need a smartphone and a mobile computer/tablet. I also think that employers are going to be looking for young employees to assist in the social media efforts of the company, so touting your blogging abilities or your Twitter savvy could be beneficial. I've used social media to connect with many prospects that I could not have otherwise gotten an audience with.
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