For Sam Tarter, insurance wasn’t a lifelong plan—it was a chance opportunity that turned into a calling. What began as an unexpected internship evolved into a lasting passion and a drive to understand the industry from every angle.
The field of insurance connects a wide range of disciplines, from risk management and actuarial science to business strategy and marketing. So when it came time to build on his on-the-job experience, Tarter sought a graduate program that offered both depth and relevance.
He found that balance in Columbia’s M.P.S. in Insurance Management, which combines the breadth of Columbia’s academic resources and the interdisciplinary approach of the School of Professional Studies with a curriculum tailored specifically for insurance professionals.
In this interview with SPS, Tarter discusses his path into the field, how he balances work and study in the online program, and where he hopes to take his career next.
Can you start by telling us a little bit about your journey to the field of insurance management?
While pursuing my degree in economics at Wake Forest University, I was unsure what the next chapter after undergrad would look like. But an opportunity to interview for a general insurance internship at AIG came along, and the rest is history. At AIG, I developed a passion for insurance. Starting at our ceded reinsurance team, I focused on casualty and financial lines treaty placements before eventually finding my way into the underwriting side of the company. The E&S arm of AIG, Lexington Insurance Company, has been where my career has blossomed and I have committed myself to this industry. Focusing on middle-market casualty accounts, I discovered a love for underwriting. Since this switch, Lexington has been my home, and I plan on building my future in the E&S side of the house.
Why join an M.P.S. program for insurance management? And what about Columbia’s program in particular appealed to you?
Most days, I would get home from work still hungry for more. I did research into an MBA and other master’s programs. The MBA option was enticing, but ultimately I decided it was too broad. When I came across the Insurance Management M.P.S. at Columbia, I knew this was the program for me. The focus of the program is directly applicable to my day-to-day life, and the lecturers all have years of professional experience at a high level in the industry. This program is unique, and it fits the exact criteria I was seeking for my next educational milestone. Additionally, my company was thrilled that I chose to pursue a degree so relevant to my current and future roles at the firm.
You had considered studying risk management but decided to focus on your field of insurance management. What are the advantages of focusing specifically on insurance?
When looking through the curriculum for the Insurance Management M.P.S., it is not hard to see how industry-specific the courses truly are. Each course represents a different sector of an insurance company. Between claims, underwriting, finance, and more, each class is essentially a different business unit within a firm. This was desirable to me, as sometimes in my day-to-day, I feel siloed from other divisions within my company. This program allows me to learn about other sides of the shop and discover new areas of interest within the industry. While a risk management degree would certainly be useful in insurance, the Insurance Management coursework is far more applicable to my current and future positions at my company.
Which resources or lessons from the program have you found most useful so far?
The Role of Finance in Insurance course has been particularly interesting to me because this is an area of the industry that I am mostly unfamiliar with. Diving into insurance companies’ balance sheets, P&Ls, and annual reports has been both eye-opening and educational. AIG’s history was specifically discussed at length during this course, which is certainly relevant for me as a current employee of the firm. After taking this course, I feel much more prepared to speak on the finances behind an insurance company as a whole, not just the underwriting income.
How do you make the most of the program in its online format?
The key to making the most of the online program is diligent scheduling. Each week, the major deadlines are Thursday and Sunday evenings. Knowing this helps me to plan out my nights and decide where to dedicate my time at the start of each week in order to get ahead. In our industry, we often have happy hours, networking events, marketing events, and more. It is crucial to set aside time on certain days to focus on the readings and discussion posts. Additionally, knowing when the lecturers’ office hours are is essential for success. Carving out time in the schedule for these sessions is critical for asking questions, gaining further insights, and getting face-to-face time with the lecturer and classmates.
What are you most looking forward to out of the program, and what’s next for you when you graduate?
I am looking forward to being able to converse with any of my colleagues about the industry and their perspectives on it, no matter what division of the company they work for. This program will give me a base of knowledge for so many different sections of the industry, and hopefully, I will walk away feeling as though I am so much more than just an underwriter. At this stage in my career, all I am seeking is growth. This program will allow me to enhance my institutional knowledge and further my understanding of critical concepts within our field. Ideally, I will graduate this program with a better understanding of the path I want to take within our industry and will have furthered my career in both the short and the long term.
Watch Tarter discuss the M.P.S. in Insurance Management residency:
About the Program
The Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Management is for career professionals who want to accelerate their advancement to leadership positions or broaden their expertise in the industry. It accommodates both professionals already working in insurance and those who have transferable skills to make a career change. The program is part-time, online, and instruction is asynchronous to accommodate working professionals.
Applications are reviewed and candidates are accepted on a rolling basis for the M.P.S. in Insurance Management program. Learn more about the program here.
