CELINA CAMARILLO-DILBERT: ENSURING THE SECURITY OF FUTURE GENERATIONS
Celina Camarillo-Dilbert landed her first job at age 15, teaching dance to young children at a gymnastics studio in her hometown of El Paso. Three years later, she started studying general business at a local community college, but lost focus after her sophomore year despite her strong work ethic. She held down various jobs throughout her early twenties, but none of them could hold her interest—until she started working in insurance at AAA New Mexico and discovered her true calling.
“To me, insurance means more than just selling policies,” Celina says. “It’s about connecting with people, understanding their needs, and being there for them during their toughest times.”
Once Celina saw the benefits of the risk management industry—the ability to make a difference, provide meaningful service, and give back to the community—she realized it aligned perfectly with her core beliefs. “We witness people going through some of the most challenging moments in their lives, and it’s an honor to be there for them every step of the way.”
The path to her degree wasn’t easy, however. As the first generation in her family born in the U.S., Celina and her brother learned first-hand how hard work and determination can pay off. In the mid-1980s, her grandparents moved from Mexico to El Paso with their 13 children in search of a better life—taking quite a risk themselves. Her mom worked as a warehouse supervisor and her dad was a social worker in a hospital, both spending long hours on the job.
As a result, Celina and her brother spent a lot of time at their grandparents’ house learning to read, write, and speak Spanish, and memorizing their multiplication tables. Her abuelita stressed the importance of doing well in school, sharing stories about growing up in Mexico in the 50s and 60s where she wasn’t allowed to attend college or play sports. “She wanted me to have the opportunities that she didn’t have, and I’m grateful for the lessons and values she instilled in me,” Celina remembers.
Once the spark to go back to school was lit, Celina chose NMSU because of its reputation for risk management and insurance programs, as well as its location near the community in which she and her young family were settling. Keeping close to friends and family was important to keep a sense of normalcy while Celina went back to school, and choosing a university that could provide that stability was important to them.
“Deciding to leave my full-time job and pursue my degree was not an easy one. We knew it would have a significant impact on our finances,” Celina recalls. The scholarships she received were a great help in allowing her to focus on her studies without putting undue financial strain on the family.
Celina was selected to receive the Burke Insurance Group, LLC, Current Use Scholarship, the Citizens Bank/Robert Triviz Memorial Scholarship, and the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship MA. In addition, her husband was able to transfer to her part of his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits from his time in the military.
“NMSU is dedicated to providing students with the resources they need to succeed in their studies. I made use of tutoring services, counseling, and internship opportunities. I truly felt a sense of belonging, even as a non-traditional student at NMSU,” she adds.
Celina wants to complete her degree to set a positive example for her daughter. She hopes to motivate other young Latinas and minorities to consider joining the insurance industry.
Today, the risk management and insurance (RMI) industry face an age-gap crisis. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts almost 500,000 insurance workers will retire in the next few years, and millennials have little knowledge of insurance careers. With an average age of approximately 45 years old, Celina wants to encourage more young professionals to join the field and help bridge this gap. “If you feel it’s too late to pursue a passion or go back to school, don’t let that discourage you. There’s always a way to reinvent yourself.”
This May, Celina graduated with her new Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and minor in risk management and insurance. Celina is thrilled to already have a job offer from Skyward Specialty Insurance, a firm with exceptional employee-centric approach and unwavering client support.
“The world is grappling with the impact of an increase in cybercrime, global warming and the impact of natural disasters, and these crises require our immediate attention,” she stressed. “We need more individuals to join this profession and offer solutions to mitigate these risks.”
For someone who took a risk at a critical point in her own life, Celina Camarillo-Dilbert is living proof that the benefits are worth the investment.