Samuel Seekins: From intern to professional in one summer
At the beginning of the spring 2025 semester, Samuel Seekins was uncertain about what career he wanted to pursue. By the end of the summer, he became a licensed property and casualty agent in Maine at the age of 20.
Seekins, a senior from Oakland, is double majoring in marketing and management at the University of Maine. The UMaine Career Fair in February introduced him to United Insurance Agency, which led to his summer internship there between his junior and senior years.
“One hundred and forty-eight companies came to campus, and my plan was to secure an internship for the summer. United doesn’t have an internship program, but they gave me their contact information and then made me a three month multi-leveled outline,” Seekins said.
He spent his summer working at United’s Brewer office as a commercial line account manager. In this position, Seekins travelled throughout the state and New Hampshire shadowing business deals and flew on a private jet to northern Maine for a company golf outing. He was also tasked with studying from a 500 page book for his property and casualty license (P&C) test.
The test has 151 questions and just half of national test takers pass on the first try, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Seekins was one of them, and he secured his P&C license.
“Watching his growth from intern to licensed producer has been a rewarding reflection of our collaborative culture and commitment to innovation. He exemplifies the drive and integrity we value in our team members,” said Patrick Gaetani, executive vice president of United Insurance Agency.
Insurance agents like Seekins connect clients with insurance companies and work with them to get clients the best rates.
P&C insurance is personal coverage that helps an individual protect themselves and the properties they own, according to AAA. Property insurance covers personal investments like homes or cars. Casualty insurance covers personal liability in accidents damaging another person or their belongings.
“I’m so glad I was able to have that experience,” Seekins said. “I was able to take everything that I’ve learned in college and apply it to a real world setting. The Maine Business School really helped me prepare. My professors used real world experiences in their teaching. I was able to take their lessons and apply them outside of the classroom. Not only did I do well, I exceeded.”
At UMaine, Seekins met managing and marketing lecturer Buffie McCue-Quinn and associate professor of management Billy Obenauer, who he said have helped tremendously in his college success through mentorship and hands-on learning. This semester, Seekins is taking a McCue-Quinn’s course titled The Business of Handcrafted Beverages, in which students work with Aroma Joe’s to develop business strategies that address real-world problems.
“Courses like The Business of Handcrafted Beverages challenge students in unexpected ways. They move beyond textbook learning into rigorous, industry-embedded problem solving,” Quinn said. “Samuel has approached this work with confidence and humility, embracing ambiguity, engaging deeply in industry research, and thinking critically and how to create value for the organization.”
The Business of Handcrafted Beverages is an Advanced Research Learning Experience (ARLE) course, one of several that are part of the UMS TRANSFORMS Student Success and Retention Initiative and supported by a multiyear $320 million grant to the University of Maine System by the Harold Alfond Foundation. They offer students more in-depth knowledge and experience in their fields of interest, enhance their critical thinking and equip them with specialized skills that will better prepare them for their future careers.
Former adjunct business professor at UMaine and entrepreneur Lisa Liberatore, owner of Lisa’s Legit Burritos in Augusta and Gardiner, has kept contact with Seekins after his introduction to business class and encouraged him in his career.
“Sam stood out from day one as a true leader,” Liberatore said. “The course focused on experiential learning, where students created and executed real fundraising plans that made a tangible impact, and Sam brought incredible energy and dedication to the project. He puts in the work and does it with heart. He learns quickly and continues to grow as a thoughtful, driven leader.”
Seekins credited his personal and academic growth to his time spent at the Maine Business School (MBS).
“MBS definitely elevated my maturity levels. I’ve been here for four years, so I feel like I’ve seen everything. Freshman year you come in thinking you run the place, so there’s a lot of growing up that needs to happen. But campus is like your buddy that guides you through life with a helping hand,” he said.
Seekins will be a guest speaker with United Insurance at the MBS Industry Exploration Night on Oct. 22 at the Buchanan Alumni Hall. The event will begin at 4 p.m. and is free for students. Registration is required.
After graduation, Seekins hopes to continue his work with United Insurance at their Augusta office.
Seekins advises students who want to take their learning to the next level to “get out of your comfort zone. No one will do it for you. You don’t need to know what you want to do, sometimes it just works out. You just have to put yourself out there.”
Story by Mello Vancil, news intern
Contact: Marcus Wolf, marcus.wolf@maine.edu