Ben Dyer

My experience in the IGNITE internship at FSLSO has been incredible. Participating in this program while completing my senior year at Florida State has been one of the most transformative experiences of my college career. Gaining firsthand insight into Florida’s surplus market and the mission of the FSLSO has solidified my understanding of the industry and provided a strong foundation for my professional future.

Completing this program during my final semester offered a unique advantage: I was able to tailor every lesson and inquiry toward the specific career path I’m entering after graduation.

A few major highlights included shadowing Jose Pagan to learn more about the Florida Statutes and how they govern surplus line regulation, as well as meeting with Liz Smith, a Risk Manager at TD SYNNEX. That conversation was eye-opening; it introduced me to the long-term potential of a risk manager role—a path I hadn’t previously considered but now find very compelling.

This experience has deepened my respect for the E&S industry and the vital work performed by the FSLSO. I definitely recommend this internship to any student looking for high-level professional development.