College and University Student Program
About Us
Our College and University Student Program provides paid part-time positions for full-time students, focused on setting students up for success. We are a small insurance carrier located in Mississauga, Ontario with our home office and several branch offices across the United States (Wayne, PA; Austin, TX; Boise, ID; Denver, CO; Folsom, CA; Mission Viejo, CA; Oak Brook, IL; Charleston, SC; St. Louis, MO).
At USLI, we're committed to providing opportunities to young people so they have exposure to a supportive and professional business environment. That's why we developed a High School Program — to create a meaningful work experience for students while building the foundation for them to excel in their future careers. At USLI, we are committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates the rich diversity of all ethnicities, nationalities, abilities, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, and life experiences. We understand the importance of continuous learning, self-reflection, acknowledging our biases, and expanding our perspectives beyond our own. We actively encourage open dialogue on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to support a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute at their fullest potential. Join us in building a diverse and inclusive environment where our shared values drive us toward excellence.
Want to see what our students are up to? Follow us on Instagram! 
Application and Policies
Application Requirements
- A completed application for College and University Student Program employment
- A copy of your current resume; cover letter is optional — PDF preferred
- A copy of your class schedule for the current semester that includes both your name and the name of your school (unofficial transcripts will be accepted as long as they include the current semester as well — PDF required)
- 500-word essay: "Describe a time when you had to overcome a work or school challenge, and explain how you dealt with it." — PDF preferred
Note: Our hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. E.T.
Contact Us
- Kristen Reid
- (888) 523-5545 Ext. 2421
- kreid@usli.com
- Student Program Team Leader
- Will Sheridan
- (888) 523-5545 Ext. 2192
- will.sheridan@usli.com
- Student Program Diversity and Recruiting Networking Specialist
Our Departments
We offer a variety of opportunities that prepare students for their professional careers after college or university, regardless of their academic discipline. The work our students perform is extremely valuable to us and is oftentimes very similar to work performed by our full-time employees. For more detailed descriptions of the types of work students do in each department and the required skillsets, please see below.
Underwriting
What specific skills are you looking for?
- Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook
- Etiquette (telephone, email, and business)
- Excel spreadsheet creation and manipulation
- Strong problem solving, critical thinking and analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- High sense of urgency
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- Strong commitment to customer service
- Interpersonal skills to work well in a team oriented environment
What are the essential functions of the student?
- Support the team by assisting with underwriting, web reviewing, hazard lookup, etc.
- Document underwriting files
- Support leadership in various ad hoc projects
- Research industry trends and create spreadsheets
- Obtain basic understanding of underwriting guidelines and procedures
- Communicate professionally and in a timely manner with customers and community members
List any additional duties that the student would be responsible for:
- Additional responsibilities may be assigned depending on capacity of the student and need of the team
Additional Information/notes: N/A
Underwriting Assistant
What specific skills are you looking for?
- Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook
- Etiquette (telephone, email, and business)
- Excel spreadsheet creation and manipulation
- Strong problem solving, critical thinking and analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- High sense of urgency
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- Strong commitment to customer service
- Interpersonal skills to work well in a team oriented environment
What are the essential functions of the student?
- Support Underwriting Assistant team in meeting service promises by processing renewal bind requests
- Service non-monetary endorsements
- Policy issuance of Canadian business
- Document underwriting files
- Obtain basic understanding of underwriting guidelines and procedures
- Communicate professionally and in a timely manner with customers and community members
List any additional duties that the student would be responsible for:
- Additional responsibilities may be assigned depending on capacity of the student and need of the team
Additional Information/notes: N/A
Benefits
- Competitive hourly wage
- Free lunch while working on-site at any USLI location
- Fitness center on-site
- Ability to participate in mentoring and volunteer opportunities
- Opportunity to gain experience and build your resume
- Exposure to seasoned professionals and the insurance industry
- Working in a community that values caring, attitude, respect, empathy and energy
- Professional development courses offered on-site
- Casual dress code
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? We may already have an answer for you! Check out our FAQs to read some of the most common questions that students have had about our College and University Student Program.
How many college and university students do we have?
We employ approximately 150 students year-round from a variety of colleges and universities. During the summer, our program grows to approximately 175 students to provide opportunities for anyone looking for summer-time employment.
How do we recruit our college and university students?
College and university students are identified via on-campus recruitment, referrals, word of mouth and job postings at colleges and universities.
How many hours per week can students work?
College and university students must work a minimum of 12 hours but can work a maximum of 29 hours per week. We also require that students are able to work a four-hour consecutive block of time.
What are the regular work hours?
Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Are college and university students paid?
Yes, college and university students are paid a competitive hourly wage.
What types of jobs are available for college and university students?
Regardless of a student's academic discipline, we have positions available on our Underwriting and Underwriting Assistant teams, with the opportunity to shadow and complete projects for additional teams (Administration, Information Technology, Design, Actuary, Sales and Marketing, and more). Specific job tasks vary and may include long-term project assistance, policy issuance, customer contact, marketing and sales research, technology support, spreadsheet management, mailroom services, information input, filing, and more.
Can a student earn credit hours for their work within the College and University Student Program?
Each school determines whether a student will receive credit for the work they are doing as part of the College and University Student Program. The number of credit hours earned is dependent on the number of work hours per semester.
Can college and university students apply for full-time positions after graduation?
Upon graduation, college and university students interested in working full-time can apply for a position and will follow the same procedure as anyone else applying for the role.
Do I need any paperwork completed before my first day?
We require students to provide a copy of their current class schedule or transcript prior to their start date. This information is included in the official offer letter sent out to each student. Students also need to submit a copy of their driver's license and Social Security card OR passport on their first day.
What do I wear?
USLI has a casual dress code. Please use your judgment and dress appropriately.
What professional development opportunities are available to students?
Students are able to participate in a variety of professional development opportunities, including various coursework and several degree programs (Sales, Leadership and Power Skills). Students can also participate in our Mentor Program, or job shadow with any team in the company to learn more about their role. We encourage students to continue to develop their skills during their time in our program.
Classes
The College and University Student Program offers various classes designed specifically for students, which are offered year-round. Some of these classes include:
- Leadership Courses
- Resume Writing
- Interviewing Skills
- Giving and Receiving Feedback
- Time Management
Testimonials
Our students say it best! We like to think that our College and University Student Program is unlike any other because of the hands-on experience you will gain while working at USLI.
"USLI provided me with a rare foot-in-the-door into corporate life and the insurance industry that I likely would not have been able to experience anywhere else while pursuing my liberal arts undergraduate degree. I was given the opportunity to gain a valuable network of peers who I worked closely with as a team to learn and grow my professional skills. The College and University Student Program here at USLI helped me to transition into a part-time underwriting assistant position while pursuing my master’s degree and I look forward to working full-time with my well admired colleagues on the Canada UA team this fall! I will always appreciate the supportive and kind setting USLI has created that has encouraged me to refine myself as a young adult only just starting my career."
Juliette — Missisaugua, ON
"Working in the Student Program was a pivotal choice in my work career. The Student Program has provided me countless opportunities to grow positively as a person in and out of the workplace. With such an open environment it allowed me to expand and apply important skills such as networking, leadership, and so much more. I am very fortunate to be part of the USLI community and hope to continue my journey at USLI post schooling."
Anthony — Mississaugua, ON
"USLI's Student Program has been such a rewarding experience for me. My first-ever corporate experience with a super supportive community that allows for growth and learning. There are countless opportunities for students, making this my favorite job so far. The Student Program is helping me achieve both personal and professional goals by allowing me to explore and develop my skills, ultimately making me a stronger leader each day."
Rachana — Mississaugua, ON
Contact Us
Kristen Reid
(888) 523-5545
Ext. 2421
kreid@usli.com
Student Program Team Leader
Will Sheridan
(888) 523-5545
Ext. 2192
will.sheridan@usli.com
Student Program Diversity and Recruiting Networking Specialist
USLI | 4080 Confederation Parkway, Suite 702, Mississauga, Ontario L5B 0G1 | 888-523-5545