Gabriel Carrillo, a veteran of underwriting, actuarial work, risk management, research and product development, joined the University of Central Florida in July 2025 to lead the Center for Risk Management and Insurance Education. He is addressing a projected loss of 400,000 insurance workers to retirement by the end of 2026 and a broader workforce turnover that could see half of the current labor pool retire by 2036. The university has prepared a major and minor in risk management for fall 2026, and in April 2026 the Board of Trustees approved a new bachelor’s program in risk management and insurance education, pending further state approval. Plans also include an MBA and a continuing‑education program.
To improve the industry’s image, Carrillo has organized events that connect students with professionals from companies such as Disney, the PGA Tour, the New York Yankees and Marriott. These sessions have filled as many as 144 seats, with additional events reaching a capacity of 120. The program highlights a range of roles beyond traditional stereotypes, including drone operators, fintech and cybersecurity experts. Analysts anticipate risk management and insurance jobs to grow 17 percent per year, with starting salaries reported between $60,000 and $90,000, suggesting a recession‑proof career path for graduates.
Press release issued by UCF Today:
https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-expert-aims-to-revitalize-the-insurance-industry-provide-students-with-strong-career-paths/
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