Invest Brings 100 Students to Applied Net 2026
Through a partnership between InvestSM and Applied Systems, nearly 100 students from five high schools in the Washington, D.C., area participated in the Invest Student Takeover at Applied Net 2026. Students explored the Applied Net Exchange, connected with industry leaders, participated in speed mentoring sessions with more than 20 professionals, and learned about the many career opportunities available across the insurance industry.
Students had the unique opportunity to experience one of the industry’s premier technology conferences, including hearing former president George W. Bush, whose keynote highlighted leadership, resilience and the importance of preparing the next generation to tackle future challenges.
For many students, it was their first time meeting insurance professionals and seeing how technology, analytics, marketing, underwriting and agency operations come together to serve their communities. The impact of the experience was evident in the feedback from participating schools.
“In my 28 years of teaching, this was without question the best-organized and most impactful trip I have experienced with any company or organization,” said LaTara Meyers, a teacher at HD Woodson High School.
The event’s speed mentoring sessions proved to be especially valuable for students. “The part that the students seemed to get the most out of was the small-group rotation with business professionals,” said Mel Barrow Jr., a teacher at Oakton High School. “The students all came home with something to talk about from those conversations.”
Educators also noted the value of exposing students to career paths they may not have otherwise considered. “This experience gave the students a helpful introduction to the many career opportunities in the insurance industry,” said Megan Mutscheller, a teacher at Hayfield Secondary School. “The most valuable moments were hearing employees’ career paths and being able to ask questions.”
Experiences like these are critically important to helping students view insurance as a career of choice, not by chance. By connecting classroom learning with real-world engagement, Invest continues to build awareness of the diverse and rewarding opportunities the industry offers.
Invest has recently launched its new insurance challenge, inviting high school students nationwide to step into the role of agency ownership. Share the challenge with local schools, educators, students, employees and community partners. A simple introduction to the insurance industry today could inspire a future agent, underwriter, tech leader or agency owner tomorrow.