As another Foundation Risk Partners (FRP) summer internship wraps, we’re excited for the future of this summer’s group of young professionals. They will return to their schools in the coming weeks, with a few already hired by FRP, but all with a wealth of information typically unattainable from most campus classrooms or textbooks.

“This year’s intern class was an outstanding group, who show great promise,” said FRP Executive Vice President Chris Tolland. “They leave here with industry knowledge, special insight and connections that will prove to be valuable in years to come, no matter what paths they choose.”

“To be able to meet and interact with senior leadership created an environment that fostered a tremendous amount of learning,” said Rishi Patel, an international baccalaureate rising senior at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Florida, who has his sights on some impressive colleges.

Each FRP intern has added immeasurable work experience to their resumes that will undoubtedly prove to be beneficial. Mandy Brock, a University of Florida graduate returning to her alma mater this month to get her Master’s in Management, said that she found great value in being exposed to a wide range of assignments and industry presentations used by FRP team members.

Skylar Swanson plans to go to law school to work as an insurance defense attorney following completion of her bachelor’s at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida, while Rishi Desai wants to continue expanding his insurance knowledge to broaden his options following completion of his degree in Political Economics at the University of Miami in 2023.

Congratulations to Jaret Blake who graduated with a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Social Science from Florida State in Tallahassee this past spring. “I know I still have much to learn,” said Jaret, “but look forward to one day working in property and casualty.”

Logan Bell also attends Florida State. He is a rising junior in Risk Management and Insurance and sees himself going into the Surety side of insurance. “FRP is one of the fastest growing brokerage firms in the nation,” said Logan. Adding, “To be able to view the internal commitment of a relatively small organization and learn how it has expanded at rapid speed to become a major competitor is invaluable.”

The University of Richmond Business Administration and Management major and collegiate swimmer, Jenna Carastro from Vineland, New Jersey, is fascinated by the psychology part of sales producing. However, Business majors Ethan Sale and Juliana Wilson, who were both introduced to insurance by family members, are focused on employee benefits. Ethan is just wrapping his senior year at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, while Juliana will graduate from Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton in 2024.

No matter the degree or school, it’s clear there are numerous career routes to take in insurance. And while most of these prospective team members are still busy with their studies, in between swimming, playing golf, fishing or traveling, they each now have an extra feather in their respective caps

Just as the website Indeed.com states, there are several benefits to participating in a professional internship, from building confidence and work experience to landing a job and more. This promising group of young adults were fortunate to have participated in one of FRP’s Sales Academy initiatives lead by Jeff Seidl in Daytona Beach and coordinated through FRP’s Learning Foundation program directed by Michelle Young in FRP’s NE region. This year’s group of interns were also exposed to exclusive FRP resource tools and the latest technical platforms, while collaborating with new hires and experienced subject matter expert leadership in all divisions, including the CEO and Chairman of Foundation Risk Partners, Charlie Lydecker.

Together with his executive team, Lydecker commits a great deal of time and money in his team of close to 2000 professionals across 18 states. “We have strategically developed the most professional, talented and trusting team as possible, who are devoted to maintaining a healthy workplace culture,” said Lydecker. This allows for the organization to evolve in the global insurance marketplace, limit risk and disruption, protect team jobs and payroll, and be prepared for what the future may bring for the benefit of all FRP agencies, clients and their communities.

Like most people, interns will face many challenges in business and life, but if they have prepared themselves, work hard and stay the course, as well as surround themselves with positive, intelligent leaders, doors will remain open to a wealth of opportunities.

Other related stories: The Future is Bright: FRP’s 2021 Interns