First, let me say this is a very interesting and informative site. In the short time since finding it, I have spent several hours reading through the forums and archives and found that many of my questions have already been asked and answered. (Thank you!)

I will get to the point of my post. Three months ago, the company that I had worked for decided to decentralize all of the corporate departments, including mine. After 32 years, I was unemployed. I happened to be one of the few fortunate ones that could begin collecting a pension. Unfortunately, the past three months have been awful. I would never have imagined that "retirement" and me would not get along!

I've struggled for the past couple of months trying to decide what I want to do for the next 10 or so years. All I could come up with was that it had to be some type of work that I would enjoy. Salary is an issue, but not a priority. Joking with a friend who happens to be an exclusive agent for Allstate, I told him that I was going to get into the insurance business. At the time, I had given no consideration to being an adjuster. I'm still unsure when that decision took place, but now it's all I can think about. I'm sure that it is the job that I could enjoy.

I served my last two years of employment as a corporate EHS manager. Although this position required a BA (preferably a masters), I grew into the position and do not have a degree. The lack of a degree, along with the fact that I am 54, concerns me and I believe may hinder my chances of getting into the adjusting field. My plan is to obtain a license(s) via online courses and then send my resume to everyone I can send it to.

Do you think there is a chance for me to get into this field at my age?

Thanks in advance.

Steve  (Powder Springs, Ga.)

Steve, let me be the first to apologize for no one responding to your post...but it's that time of the season (for the 1st time in a while) when all of a sudden everyone is getting busy & all the rest are starting to ask the same questions.  I don't think your lack of a degree would have an effect on you being an IA for storm duty, but lack of coverage know-how & estimating experience would.  And at age 54, ain't nothing wrong with that if you're nimble & quick, or at least just a little bit of each.  But I do see that you do maybe have a little bit of an advantage over most other newbies, in that you have a career behind you with a pension to back you up.  Hopefully, you're not really "hungry", but are willing to learn the trade without compromising your integrity while also willing to give up your home life for a while.  The way it looks, there are all kinds of opps open right now for guys like you.  It's going to call for committing to the layout of cash & time to get the training.

HuskerCat . . . thanks for your response and encouraging words. As you pointed out, I do have an advantage over most folks in that I have a pension (albeit very small!). However, I will say that even without it, I would still be looking for work that I could "enjoy". My brother has a small construction company and mostly does residential roofing. He has let me tag along a few times and taught me the basics of roof inspection (hail damage) and I've written up a couple of estimates for him. Except for the sales end of the business, I did enjoy the work and believe that is what I would like to do. After reading the various threads within this forum, I know that there is a great deal of knowledge that is needed in order to be an IA. I also realize that, to be a good adjuster, it takes more than a ton of CE's . . . it takes years of experience.  I'm not ready or willing to retire just yet, so I have the time! Thanks again for your response.

Steve