23 Questions on the Actuarial Profession

Good morning Michael Jordan,

I have been tasked with Interviewing professionals from the career I would like to pursue after school. I am wanting to become an Actuarial Scientist and I would really appreciate it if I could get into contact with you. I have been watching your YouTube videos for a while now and I really like your content. If possible I would like to have a short interview with you

1. What is your job title?

2. Can you take me through your career path and how you have worked your way to where you are now?

3. What year did you qualify and how old were you?

4. How many years did it take for you to be fully qualified?

5. Was it difficult finding your first job?

6. I plan to study a BSc Actuarial science degree at Wits. What is your opinion on this choice of course and university in the industry?

7. What further studies would you advise for once I have qualified as an actuary?

8. What made you choose this career?

9. What are your main roles and responsibilities? What does a typical day involve?

10. What do you like most and least about your job?
Most:

Least:

11. What would you consider the boring part of your profession?

12. What are the most stressful aspects of your job?

13. Do you feel that your salary is comparable or better than those of your peers in other lines of work?

14. In any of the types of Actuaries, is there a salary ceiling?

15. In your opinion, what personality would be well-suited to this career?

16. Internationally, is South Africa a very good place for Actuaries to work, or would it be more beneficial for me to go and work overseas?

17. Do you feel that AI is a rising problem regarding your work?

18. Is the work very demanding and does it require you to work after hours or in other words, does your job allow for a good amount of personal and family time?

19. What skills and experiences are most important for being an Actuary? How can I start to develop these skills?

20. Could you possibly explain the CERA qualification to me?

21. If I were to study and qualify as an Actuary in South Africa and then further my studies for a CERA qualification would I be able to work overseas? And in America?

22. What country’s board of actuaries would you recommend I qualify in? From what I understand the UK exams are highly regarded internationally.

23. Do you have any further advice?

[sreekumarsreenivasan]

Thank you so much for time for sharing this valuable information . Your sincerity and passion is are highly appreciated. Thank you .

[nkosikhonandlela]

Great video Sir, very inspirational 👌

[yaseerkhan]

Hi MJ. Thanks for the great content as always. How important is it to work in the same practice area you intend to write fellowship in?

[fikilemkhize]

is working in a place like the UK worth it financially, given the cost of living there? Where in the world do you think an actuary would make the most money

[wesselbotha]

I'm currently a 3rd year actuarial student, looking to build up some experience over December holidays before my honours year. Any tips?💪

[LeratoM]

I recently finished studying pharmacy and I'm an intern, but I'm thinking of changing to actuary. I don't know if I'm crazy or ambitious 😂😭😭😭. There's a lot of things that I like about actuary, I just hope I don't also get bored OR BATTERED by it 💀.

[bigmood]

Tthanks for the video, it is really appreciated---i have my Bsc in Statistics, i'm hoping to pursue Phd in Actuarial Science, Data Science or Business Analytics, what would you advise?

[charmaine]

Hey MJ, I'd like to interview you regarding actuarial science, I'm currently studying it but I don't know what its about, the journey, how to prepare and stuff like that.

[dieselbanditt]

I really dreaded accounting and even dropped it, but did very well in math and physics because of my passion for applied mathematics . Do you recon actuarial science is a good option for me either

[anasfarhanilhamibinamirsya]

Hi MJ. What are the differences between actuarial science in Malaysia and Australia and South Africa?

[kivash]

Hi MJ, I'm currently in grade 11 and plan on studying actuarial science after matric. What aspects of maths at this stage are essential/ which aspects should I spend more time on? (Eg, I'm doubtful that geometry is a skill I'll need in actuarial science)
Edit: other than probability :)

[AfricanCryptoWarlord]

Good Day MJ. I hope you are well. Could I please ask, Could I please ask you to drop some thoughts on how Actuarial Science may or may not benefit a Stock/Forex/Crypto trader?? I only ask, as the stats & probabilities modules within the degree are the edges am looking for within my trading. & such, embarking on my Actuarial journey in 2021. Kind regards.

[bhavyasankhyan]

I have two questions? Which is the best society to join? I am an MBA (Finance) and pursuing CFA, however, I did not take up math in the 12th grade and graduation/post-graduation. Am I still eligible?

[gregorykgotso]

I have been following your videos for some time now and i know this is an old but I wanted advice on how I can do an internal transfer to actuarial science …I am currently studying a bcom in financial accountancy at the Nwu and would like to pursue actuarial science. And I’d like to know what are my chances of getting in.

[joshuaprice]

Hey, I recently finished my matric exams and i am deciding whether or not to study actuarial science. My best subjects are math and Physics and I enjoy doing both of them but if I’m being honest no field of work excites me. I like the idea of being an actuary or an engineer and doing math and physics but not exactly what the career entails. I’m just scared that no matter what I choose I’m gonna end up regretting my choice. So I was wondering if your job is something that you learned to love as you did it? And also if studying actuarial science at Tuks is a bad idea?

[shrawanipal]

Which programming language do actuaries use?

[Joshuaflash]

wait, i thought your career was a professional go-kart driver?

[gmanfromdibloc]

Hey man. So when you consult do you need to register with ASSA (apart for exam purposes) so that the consulting work you do is recognised?

[yatinmaharaj]

Good day. Do you know if someone with a postgraduate degree in mathematical statistics can work as a gaming actuary? I noticed alot of stuff on risk and survival models and ruin theory is covered in undergrad and post grad stats.

[Lebitso]

Hahaha me watching this video when you are 30 😊 I like your personality so much by the way.