5 Reasons to Study Risk Management and Cyber Security at UT Dallas

by - July 19th, 2024 - Business School, College Knowledge, Featured, Student Life

The Risk Management and Cyber Security concentration at UT Dallas holds a panel sponsored by Travelers Insurance.  The panel included Olivia Allen (Small commercial underwriting manager), Michael Assels (Surety Bond Account Executive Officer) and Ken Greer (AVP Claim Management)

Why Study Risk Management and Cyber Security?

Risk is universal and companies face significant threats to the well-being of their businesses, including dangers from cyber-attacks, extreme weather and political unrest. Business leaders can help mitigate and manage these potential risks, protect their assets and keep their organizations running by incorporating risk management into their operations.

An understanding of risk management and cybersecurity can help individuals create resilient businesses that can stand the test of potential threats. The Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration at the Naveen Jindal School of Management equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to help prepare businesses to handle operational, financial and strategic risks.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance or Global Business can enhance their degree with a Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration. Here are 5 reasons to learn about the thriving world of risk management and cybersecurity at The University of Texas at Dallas.

Students in the Risk Management and Cyber Security concentration at UT Dallas listen to a discussion panel sponsored by Traveler’s. Dr. Steven Haynes asks questions of RMI professionals Olivia Allen (Small commercial underwriting manager), Michael Assels (Surety Bond Account Executive Officer) and Ken Greer (AVP Claim Management)

Reason 1: Industry-Relevant Curriculum

Students in the Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration learn the critical industry skills needed to succeed as risk management and insurance or cyber security professionals. Graduates who enhance their degree with this concentration are prepared with the most up-to-date and relevant knowledge regarding best practices in digital security, risk foresight and claims management.

The curriculum includes classes on business liability, insurance law, risk systems, information security and cybersecurity.

Dan Kennedy (Mid-South Regional President of Markel Specialty) gives a lecture on the insurance industry from a carrier’s perspective for students in the Risk Management and Cyber Security concentration.

Reason 2: Diverse Career Opportunities

Students in the concentration can prepare for diverse and rewarding career opportunities across a wide range of industries, including finance, healthcare, insurance and technology.

Graduates who have completed the Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration go on to obtain jobs as:

  • Corporate risk analysts
  • Underwriters
  • Claims professionals
  • Broker/producer roles
  • Information security analysts
  • Financial risk analysts
  • Public entity risk analysts
  • Safety professionals

Students have the freedom to specialize in niches like risk analytics, information security, business continuity and regulatory compliance, ensuring that they find a worthwhile career that fits their values and interests.

Risk Management and Cyber Security students at UT Dallas make a site visit to a company. The company gives students an office tour and informs them of opportunities at their company.

Reason 3: Growing Demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of risk and financial managers will grow by 16% and the number of cybersecurity jobs will grow by 32% between 2022 and 2032, both faster than average. Cybercrime Magazine reports that demand for cybersecurity roles will continue to outpace the skilled workforce available, with roughly 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions available worldwide in 2025.

This increased demand for the workforce means skilled workers will be highly sought after. Your Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration enables you to meet this need in the business community.

Students at the RMI Community fraternity Gamma Iota Sigma at UT Dallas meet at Gloria’s Latin Cuisine for an alumni and current student meet and greet.

Reason 4: Join a Robust RMI Community in Gamma Iota Sigma

Students pursuing their Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration at UT Dallas have an exceptional resource in the UT Dallas chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS), the international fraternity specifically for insurance and risk management professionals. The GIS Beta Phi Chapter at UT Dallas was chartered in March 2016. In the 2022-2023 academic year, GIS Beta Phi won a Chapter Achievement Award, a Black and Gold Award, the Most Improved Chapter Award and was designated as a Distinguished Chapter.

Students in GIS can network with professionals in the RMI industry, attend enlightening conferences and forge lasting relationships with like-minded peers.

Every semester, Gamma Iota Sigma at UT Dallas holds a disaster movie night to discuss risk management as it is portrayed in Hollywood.

Reason 5: Exceptional Hiring Rates

According to the Jindal School senior exit surveys, 95% of graduates with a BS in Business Administration with a Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration have a job by graduation. Prospective students considering enhancing their degree with this concentration can benefit from knowing their specialized classroom education can open doors to exciting and sought-after career paths.

Coupled with the required internship experience and 100 hours of community service for Jindal School graduates, students can walk the stage with an exceptional résumé. Many of them will even have a job offer in hand by the time they toss their cap.

Students at the RMI Community fraternity Gamma Iota Sigma at UT Dallas gather for an alumni and current student meet and greet.

Pursue a Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration at UT Dallas

Pursuing a Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration at UT Dallas could be the first step in an intensely satisfying and well-paid career. The program prepares students to face the fast-evolving landscape of risk management in this digital era full of threats from cyber-attacks.

Students with a Business Administration, Finance or Global Business major can speak to their academic advisors about enhancing their degree with a Risk Management and Cyber Security concentration, and RMIS classes are available to students of most majors.

Contact Dr. Steven Haynes, director of the risk management and cyber security program, with any questions you might have about enhancing your degree with this concentration.

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