How Professional Athletes Are Leveraging Insurance Internships to Forge New Career Paths
Gallagher, a leading insurance firm, has launched a pioneering summer internship initiative tailored specifically for professional athletes. This program offers them a strategic avenue to smoothly pivot from their sports careers into the corporate sector.
Transforming Athletic Strengths into Business Assets
In 2024, Gallagher broadened its Partnership Intern Program to welcome professional athletes, acknowledging the valuable skills they bring-such as resilience, collaboration, and leadership-that align well with business demands. According to Gallagher’s chief marketing officer Chris Mead, athletes inherently grasp the commitment needed for success and excel at guiding teams toward shared goals.
This year’s group featured eight players from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Chicago Red Stars roster. Notable participants included midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth and former player Chardonnay curran, both eager to gain practical experience thru paid internships.
“This prospect is like unlocking doors we never imagined,” Nesbeth remarked. “Soccer has been my entire life until now,” Curran added.”I had zero exposure to corporate environments before this.”
A Customized Internship Designed Around Athlete Commitments
The six-week program immerses interns in diverse facets of insurance brokerage-from sales strategies to understanding company culture-while pairing them with mentors focused on career growth. The schedule is thoughtfully adapted around rigorous training sessions and competition calendars that define an athlete’s routine.
gallagher initially piloted this concept in 2023 with four players from the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons before expanding it further. Their sponsorship of the Chicago NWSL team underscores their dedication to supporting athlete career progress beyond sports arenas.
The Reality Behind athletic Career Uncertainty
NWSL players earn an average salary near $125,000 per season-a figure that highlights why many seek choice career options given how unpredictable athletic tenure and income can be over time.
Nesbeth humorously reflected on her rapid learning curve: “We started knowing nothing about insurance; now I could probably give you a detailed rundown on risk placement services.” This illustrates how quickly interns absorb complex industry knowledge despite starting fresh.
Shifting Perspectives: From Sports Fields to Insurance Desks
Curtain lifted on misconceptions was one of Curran’s biggest revelations: “My entire perception of insurance changed after completing this internship.” Soon after finishing her term at Gallagher, she amicably left Chicago Red Stars FC inspired by newfound business ambitions sparked during her experience.
From Athletic Triumphs To Corporate Success Stories
Gallagher has effectively transitioned several athlete interns into permanent roles once their playing careers conclude. In Europe, for example, they employ a former professional rugby player who now ranks among their top sales performers-demonstrating how competitive drive seamlessly transfers across industries.
“The moment these athletes realize that celebrating client wins mirrors celebrating victories on the field is when everything clicks,” Mead explained regarding these individuals’ mindset transformations within business settings.
The Expanding Synergy Between Sports and Insurance Sectors
- The connection between athletics and insurers extends well beyond internships; major companies have long collaborated with star athletes through advertising campaigns featuring icons like Patrick Mahomes (NFL) or Caitlin Clark (WNBA).
- AIG recently made headlines as the first Fortune 500 company investing directly in English Football League Two club Salford City FC-signaling deeper commercial integration between insurers and global football organizations.
- Nationwide Insurance operates multi-year partnerships with NWSL players offering similar development programs based out of Columbus headquarters aimed at preparing athletes for future roles inside or outside sport-related industries.
An Industry Committed To Supporting Athlete Career Longevity Beyond Competition
This growing trend reflects insurers’ recognition that aiding athlete transitions benefits both parties: companies acquire driven employees accustomed to performing under pressure while helping individuals secure financial stability following retirement from competitive play.
