Young Agent Leaders

There’s no better time to excel and grow in the insurance world, some say. The talent gap has opened new doors for accelerated advancement for the driven and focused young professional.

This issue of Insurance Journal features exclusive results from the 2025 Young Agents Survey where young agents nationwide shared their views on the insurance industry and their experiences as agents. (See page 30 in the April 21, 2025 issue for the full report.)

Overall, young agents seem unsure about the U.S. economy in 2025, with nearly half of those responding to this year’s survey indicating they feel “cautious.” But despite their caution, one-third of young agents reported feeling “very optimistic” about the future of the agency system as well as their career choice, according to the survey’s results.

The talent gap in the agency concerns young agents, as well. According to the survey, 43.2% of the young agents responding to the survey feel that finding new employees for their agency is one of their biggest challenges. Another big challenge: finding new customers.

Despite their concerns, nearly half of the young agents responding to the survey believe their income will be higher this year than last year. That’s good news.

Many of the young agents responding to the survey shared their biggest moments of success, which include helping people and businesses navigate through complex risk, establishing and growing relationships, and excelling in a role that tends to be mostly male.

“My proudest moment is leveraging being a young female in a predominantly male field,” one female young agent wrote.

Another said: “I’m very proud of this industry for continuing to recruit young talent and providing ample opportunity for advancement to those who seek it. I believe this industry provides tremendous opportunity for those that are driven and curious.”

Like in previous years, young agents overwhelmingly report each year that they would still recommend a career in insurance to other young people entering the workforce, even with their concerns.

“I think the independent agency system is one of the few career opportunities in America that allows you a clear path to financial freedom with minimal leverage risk,” one young agent wrote.

Another added: “It is not for everyone, but for the right person it is a great career. Your only real constraints are your time and effort.”

This issue also highlights seven successful young agents and why they chose a career in insurance. They each come from different backgrounds and offer advice for other young agents entering the field.

Topics Agencies Leadership