Brianny Gillis became interested in pursuing a career in insurance because of its broad and all-encompassing nature. Wayne Community College’s Risk Management and Insurance program has already provided her with quality experiences to prepare her to work in the industry, and she’s just getting started.
Gillis was drawn to the insurance field and wanted to explore each of its opportunities to discover what would best fit her interests. When she found WCC’s Risk Management and Insurance program, she took advantage of the chance to learn more and enrolled. “WCC offered the program close to home and provided the flexibility I needed,” she said.
A broad industry
WCC’s Risk Management and Insurance program prepares students to become insurance professionals with the knowledge of risks and hazards and the ability to develop a plan for managing them. The program offers a wide variety of course topics, such as finance, ethics, business law, and different types of insurance, so that students qualify for positions in many types of organizations after graduating.
Classes in the associate-degree program can be taken completely online, with some evening and hybrid classes available as well.
Gillis is taking online classes to accommodate her busy schedule. “I started the program while living in Zebulon and later moved to Youngsville,” she said. “Being able to complete the program online has allowed me to balance school with appointments and other personal responsibilities.”
The in-demand insurance field can provide many different careers for graduates. Insurance sales agents can anticipate an annual salary of $57,110 in North Carolina, with insurance underwriters earning $72,180 per year and claims adjusters making $74,830 annually.
Gillis has enjoyed learning how many avenues are available within the industry. “WCC’s Risk Management and Insurance program prepares you for far more than selling policies or settling claims. It covers investigation, fraud analysis, corporate risk assessment, compliance, underwriting, and even emerging areas like cyber risk,” she said.
Making connections
Gillis is already seeing the value of networking in opening doors to future possibilities. This year, she attended the annual conference of the North Carolina Public Risk Management Association (NCPRIMA), an organization that is dedicated to the practice of risk management in the public sector.
“Attending the conference allowed me to meet so many professionals in municipal, city, and state risk management roles,” Gillis shared. “I gained contacts, tips, and insight into job opportunities. Some people even reached out after the event because they knew I’m a student eager to start my career.”
A career launchpad
Gillis will graduate from WCC in the spring of 2026. She hopes to eventually continue her education but is excited to get started in her career. “I’m still exploring,” she said. “There are so many opportunities in this field that I want to try a few paths to find my niche.”
Although Gillis is only beginning her journey in insurance, she already feels prepared due to the education she has received at the College. “WCC gives you a strong foundation with both practical and theoretical knowledge so you can step into a career that’s stable and constantly evolving,” Gillis said. “A degree in Risk Management and Insurance isn’t just a credential; it’s a launchpad.”
For more information about WCC’s Risk Management and Insurance program, visit our website or contact WCC Business and Accounting Department Chair Erin LeGrand (etlegrand@waynecc.edu or 919-739-6880).