Having weathered the recent “Great Recession” with its record unemployment rates, company downsizings and mass professional lay-offs, the industry now comes face-to-face with a new challenge. Drastic labor market changes are poised to transform the industry’s leadership landscape during the next 10 years. Already, organizations are beginning to experience an ever-expanding skills gap at the executive and management level—a gap that is only expected to grow in the coming years.

The first pitch has been thrown in the 112^th World Series. Pitting the Cleveland Indians against the Chicago Cubs, this year’s World Series is poised to make history. Entering into this historic competition, both teams accounted for the longest World Series droughts—totally 174 years. Hometown favorites, the Chicago Cubs, have not seen a World Series win since 1908. Since that time, the United States has seen 18 presidents, two World Wars, 20 economic recessions—including The Great Depression, and the admittance of four states into the union.

Recognizing the historic nature of this face-off, ticket sales have skyrocketed to dwarf recent World Series records. Average resale prices to the games have reached $2,474. Already, average asking prices range from $4,000 to $7,200 per seat.

It’s that time of year. The days are getting colder, the afternoons are getting darker and soon an assortment of ghouls and goblins will parade down the streets. Beyond the haunts and scares of Halloween, perhaps the spookiest part of the season is the increased vulnerability to insurance claims and lawsuits.

The actuarial profession continues to face a period of drastic changes. From market evolutions— including the introduction of more stringent regulations—to talent transformations, including the increased popularity of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees, these shifts are having a drastic impact on the supply and demand of actuarial professionals.

The search is on for qualified underwriting talent. Amid a growing number of positive labor trends—including low unemployment rates and positive staffing increases—a number of key insurance functions are feeling the pinch. Underwriting positions, in particular, are becoming more and more difficult to fill. As a result, the war for insurance underwriting talent is heating up.