advanced degrees, professional certifications & designations – are they worth the effort?

IASA 86TH ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE & BUSINESS SHOW

Advanced Degrees, Professional Certifications & Designations – Are they worth the effort?Session Number 123

Cindy Powell, MCPMP, CSMBespoke

Founder and President – Bespoke.

11 years with Bespoke, 28 years in Insurance (Health, Life, P&C)

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Masters Certificate in Project Management (MCPMP) -

Villanova University Certified Scrum Master Certification (CSM) - University of

Pennsylvania

Denise Woernley, CPCU, AIS, AINS, AU, AreDryden Mutual Insurance Company

Business Analyst and Underwriting SME 24 years in Insurance Industry Completed Associate in Accounting Degree, currently

working toward BA Risk Management Completed Certified Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)

designation Began teaching AICPcu courses in 2004 and has helped 24

people pass exams.

Zachary Collings, CPCU, AReISCS

Sales Engineer - ISCS since 2013 3 Years prior Insurance experience with catastrophe risk

modeling vendor, Risk Management Solutions (RMS) BA, Economics Wake Forest University Completed MBA as full time student at the University of

Washington Completed CPCU, ARe and CCRA while working for RMS

and ISCS

Arthur Salvadori, CPASaslow, Lufkin & Buggy, LLP

Audit Partner - Saslow Lufkin & Buggy, LLP (SLB) 11 years with SLB and 17 years in the insurance industry Primary focus is Property and Casualty Insurance BS, Accounting, University of Connecticut Certified Public Accountant, Licensed in 2000 Eligible to practice in several states

Lianne Watford, MCBALHW Business Analysts

Founder, President – LHW Business Analysts 17 years in insurance industry Associate in Science, Commercial Education - University

of South Carolina Completion of South Carolina Bankers School Masters Certification in Business Analysis (MCBA) –

Villanova University Currently working on Certified Business Analyst

Professional certification (CCBA) through International Institute of Business Analyst (IIBA)

Agenda

Why achieve an Advanced Degree or Professional Certification?

How difficult is the process of achieving these designations?

How have employers helped panelist achieve and maintain these credentials?

What is the impact to the day to day responsibilities and to the careers of the panelist?

Open forum for Q&A with panelist

Why achieve an Advanced Degree or Professional Certification?

PMP - “certification positively impacts project manager salaries — and helps you stand out and better market yourself to prospective employers” - PMI

CPCU - “92% of CPCUs believe earning their CPCU prepared them for their long-term career goals.” – theinstitutes,org

MBA – “one of the best tools a business person can have” – Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania

CPA – “ a vital part of any strong business or organization” – IBM Finance Forum

CBAP – “Recognition of professional competence by professional peers and management” - IIBA

How difficult is the process of achieving these designations?

Methods for preparing for exams Time and Duration Required to be Successful Work / Life Balance through the process Maintaining Designation

How have employers helped panelist achieve and maintain these credentials?

Impact in getting the job and/or promotions Financial Assistance and Incentives Allocation of work hours toward preparation In-house training programs and mentorships

What is the impact to day to day responsibilities and to the careers of the panelist?

How useful is what you learned in helping you succeed in the day to day responsibilities of the job?

Has achieving your credentials impacted the way you are viewed by peers and management?

Would you do it again?

Open forum for Q&A with panelist

IASA 86TH ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE & BUSINESS SHOW

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