Q&A: From Classrooms to Careers — Building Stronger Paths for Iowa Students

Education, career opportunity and long-term health are interconnected. When people have access to strong schools and meaningful career paths, it creates a foundation for both economic stability and overall well-being.

At Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we see business and education as a critical partnership. When schools, employers and communities come together, they can open more doors for students and strengthen outcomes for everyone.

Q: Why is education such an important focus for Wellmark?
A: Education creates opportunity. Strengthening the connection between education and career opportunity has long been a priority for Wellmark through both our core business efforts and The Wellmark Foundation. We invest in programs that expand access to education, support career readiness and help people succeed at every stage of life.

We reinforce that commitment internally through a culture of continuous learning. A prime example is Wellmark’s Educational Assistance Program — including Tuition Plus and loan repayment support of up to $15,000 per year — helping employees build skills, grow their careers and invest in their future.

Q: What are you hearing from Iowa employers about workforce challenges?
A: Across industries, employers continue to emphasize the need for both broad and specialized skills — communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and adaptability — along with growing expertise in data, finance, technology and healthcare.

Advances in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), are also reshaping roles. That makes it even more important for students to build technical skills, stay flexible and understand how their education connects to long-term opportunity.

By sharing what is needed now and in the future, businesses help schools shape curriculum and experiential learning that better prepare students for success.

Q: How is Wellmark working with higher education to better align learning with workforce needs?
A: Our higher education partnerships connect academic learning with real-world experience in practical, meaningful ways. One example is our collaboration with the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, including support for the Vaughan Institute for Risk Management and Insurance. This partnership expands hands-on learning, strengthens academic programs and introduces students to career paths in insurance and financial services.

Through the Vaughan Institute, students gain technical and professional skills while exploring insurance careers. The program now supports more than 600 students and ranks among the largest risk management and insurance programs globally, with strong placement outcomes before graduation.

We also engage directly in classroom innovation. Through the Vaughan Institute’s insurtech innovation course, Wellmark participates as a client partner, with student teams developing solutions to real industry challenges, including AI-driven approaches to improve customer engagement, member experience, and risk management.

We see similar impact through partnerships with Drake University and Iowa State University, where a Risk Management and Insurance certificate program launched in 2025 through the Ivy College of Business. Across these efforts, the goal is the same: create more direct, practical pathways between education and career opportunity.

Q: Why are these partnerships especially important in Iowa?
A: Iowa stands out because of how closely employers, educators and communities work together.

The Insure Your Future Early Internship Program is a strong example. Developed by Michael Gould at the Iowa Economic Development Authority with higher education institutions and insurance employers, including Wellmark, the program gives students early exposure to career opportunities through hands-on experience.

The results show how effective that approach can be. Students from the first cohort, which began in 2023, graduated in May 2025. Six went on to graduate school, and 98% of the remaining students had job offers before graduation — with the final student receiving an offer shortly after.

The program has continued to grow, with more than 90 students participating this summer and more than 300 students having taken part since launch. Many participants go on to pursue insurance careers, demonstrating the lasting impact of early exposure.

What makes it especially meaningful is that students are not just hearing about insurance careers — they are experiencing them firsthand. For employers, it is also a valuable way to connect early with future talent.

Q: How important is experiential learning for students today?
A: It is incredibly important. Each year, Wellmark hosts more than 20 college interns and several high school interns across departments, giving them hands-on experience, exposure to different careers and early opportunities to build professional networks.

Today’s students are motivated and thoughtful about how they invest their time and resources. They want to make a meaningful impact, learn skills relevant to their future and see a clear connection between education and career outcomes.

Experiential learning helps address all three by connecting students to real-world challenges early, building practical skills and giving them confidence in their direction.

Q: How does this work connect with K–12 education?
A: Workforce development starts early, and exposure to careers helps students begin to understand what is possible for their future.

Through longtime support of Jobs for America’s Graduates, students gain insight into different career paths and start connecting their interests to real opportunities.

We also recognize that some students face barriers to learning, including access to mental health support. That’s why

The Wellmark Foundation invests in school-centered behavioral health programs that bring care closer to where students are — helping them stay present, engaged and ready to learn.

When students have both early exposure and the support they need to succeed, they are better positioned to explore their interests over time.

Q: What role should businesses play in this space?
A: Businesses can help educators understand how work is changing and what skills students will need next. At Wellmark, that includes sharing insight into data, technology, AI and other emerging areas so learning stays relevant.

When employers share needs and create practical learning opportunities, students are better prepared, businesses gain stronger talent pipelines and communities benefit from more sustainable growth.

Q: How do these efforts benefit communities across Iowa?
A: When students can see clear opportunities in Iowa — and have the experiences to pursue those paths — they are more likely to stay and build their futures here. That strengthens communities in lasting ways.

Q: Looking ahead, what does success look like?
A: Success means students are confident and prepared, educators are aligned to workforce needs, and employers are actively engaged in developing future talent.
Iowa already has strong momentum in this area. Continued investment in partnerships and practical learning opportunities will strengthen that progress. By building on those strengths, we create long-term benefits for individuals, communities and overall well-being.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., Wellmark Advantage Health Plan, Inc. and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
South Dakota are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Wellmark Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Association. ABI