For Eric Kelly '25, M'26, the path from student to industry leader began while he was still on campus. Today, he serves as vice president and partner at Safeshield Insurance, an impressive milestone for someone who first walked through the company's doors as an intern during his time at the University of Hartford.
Kelly earned his undergraduate degree in risk management and insurance in 2025 and completed his MBA in 2026. During his time at UHart, he balanced academics with athletics as a member of the University's men's lacrosse team, gaining discipline and teamwork skills that would later benefit him in his professional career.
While Kelly entered college exploring different areas of business, his time at UHart helped him discover the field that truly matched his strengths. "UHart gave me the opportunity to figure out both what I didn't want to do and what I was truly interested in," he says. "I quickly realized accounting wasn't the path for me, but risk management really caught my interest."
A defining part of Kelly's experience in the program was the exposure to industry professionals who visited classes and shared insights about their day-to-day careers. One piece of advice from a guest speaker made a lasting impression: identify your skillset and capitalize on it. That message resonated with Kelly and has guided many of the decisions he has made since beginning his career.
Beyond the classroom, UHart's emphasis on career readiness helped Kelly build confidence and connections early on. Networking dinners, professional meetings, and conversations with industry leaders provided a clearer understanding of career possibilities and helped make the transition from college to the workforce seamless.
"The alumni network is incredibly strong," Kelly says. "Even today, I maintain relationships with professionals I first connected with through the UHart community." In fact, one executive he met through the network has remained a valuable contact and helped introduce him to some of the largest client relationships he has developed in his career.
Kelly also credits one faculty member in particular for shaping his career path: Executive in Residence Ken Goroshko. "He sparked my early interest in insurance and served as a mentor throughout my experience at UHart," Kelly emphasizes. "Through his advice and guidance, I've been able to reach the position I'm in today. He was truly one of the most influential members of the UHart community for me."
After starting at Safeshield Insurance as an intern while still a student, Kelly steadily grew within the organization. Today, he leads his own team and plays a role in developing future professionals.
"One of my proudest accomplishments has been becoming a partner and vice president at the same company where I started as an intern," Kelly says. "Growing within the organization and taking on a leadership role early in my career has been incredibly rewarding."
In his leadership role, Kelly is committed to paying forward the opportunities he once received. He now helps create internships, career opportunities, and mentorship pathways for young professionals, including students who are in the same position he once was.
"The preparation, confidence, and industry knowledge I gained through the Risk Management and Insurance Program at UHart allowed me to step into those leadership and mentorship roles successfully," he explains.
For students considering careers in insurance or risk management, Kelly encourages them to stay open to opportunities and focus on building relationships along the way.
"You may not know exactly where you'll end up early in your career, and that's okay," he says. "Every experience helps build valuable skills and connections. Take advantage of opportunities, keep learning, and put in the work when those opportunities come."
For Kelly, one of those early opportunities, an internship taken for course credit while at UHart, ultimately set the foundation for the career he has built today.
Eric Kelly '25, M'26, Barney School of BusinessOne of my proudest accomplishments has been becoming a partner and vice president at the same company where I started as an intern. Growing within the organization and taking on a leadership role early in my career has been incredibly rewarding. The preparation, confidence, and industry knowledge I gained through the risk management and insurance program at UHart allowed me to step into those leadership and mentorship roles successfully.