Actuarial Career Path (Q&A)

Hey all!

Brea here. In this video I'm going through 10 questions about the actuarial career path that were asked to me by an aspiring actuary.

If you're interested in becoming an actuary, or just starting out on your journey, you're definitely going to want to watch this video. I talk about exams, internships, schooling and much more!

The questions are as follows:

1. How many internships did you land before your first full-time job? How did it benefit you when you got your first full-time job?

2. How many actuarial exams did you pass before your first internship?

3. How did you find and obtain your positions? Applying through job searching or through connections?

4. What is the recommended number of related internships and actuarial exams in order to find an actuarial job after college?

5. Under what circumstances would it be worth it to get a masters in actuarial science ?

6. What are the recommended computer skills to stand out when applying for jobs?

7. Do you think school name plays a significant role in the hiring process?

8. What are some classes that would be beneficial to take in college to get into the actuarial career?

9. Around what should be the starting salary be for an entry-level actuary?

10. Which industries do actuaries work for?

There were lots of links that I mentioned in this video too. Here they are.

Exam P & FM Study Strategy Tips email sign-up (top right hand corner):

SOA vs CAS:

Expected Entry-Level Salary with 2 Exams Passed:

Hope you enjoyed this video.
Subscribe and check back weekly for more.

Brea

[michelleholden]

I watch your videos when I need to feel inspired after feeling overwhelmed with home work.

[dariusjhanson-wj]

Recent subscriber, really enjoy your vids!

[KeyMan]

14:46 I'm currently getting a master's degree in actuarial science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln because I already have a bachelor's degree in physics and it costs less to finish in 2 years instead of 4. I think a master's degree looks better than a bachelor's, but it probably doesn't make much of a difference. What's important to an employer is exams passed, communication & technical skills, and having a good attitude.

[TaonasheMambizo]

How can l register for exams lm studying bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science in Zimbabwe but l want to write some of the exams whilst at school

[coolade]

Since you went to University of Waterloo (or generally) what's the purpose/advantage of an Acturial Degree, rather than doing something such as Mathematical Finance or even FARM and then writing the Actuary exams?

[TaonasheMambizo]

Where can l get material to read and study for exams

[CassiaMoreiradeLima]

I’m an actuarial student from Brazil, currently in my last year of college, starting now to get more into the SOA actuarial path, one of my big questions are how is the market for foreign actuaries specially bc I haven’t pass any exams yet and all my internships were in my country. Career outside my country is my target but I don’t know if should I start a master or MBA while I take the exams, just for not to be at home studying for SOA no working

[howardroark]

How much do you think having a few personal actuarial projects (ratemaking, reserving) would help towards getting interviews for someone that has a few exams but no internship?

[fikilemkhize]

I am a Statistics Master's student from South Africa, I need two signatures to register for Actuarial science Exams but my problem is that one of the signatures needs to be from an actuary that has known me for at least a year. How can I get around this?

[hasan]

Hey, I love the video. Can you please tell me how many exams I have to pass before I can qualify for an Actuarial Internship? Along with that what is the average salary for interns?