Student actuary honest career chat | Q&A

All views expressed are my own and are not those of my employers or their clients.

BusterY: @_buster_y_theborderterrier

About me:
Currently working full time in Insurance Consulting, and studying for IFoA professional exams to become a qualified actuary. I studied Physical Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge 2017-2020, and specialised in Astrophysics.

Check out my playlists:

[onehumanfromearth]

We've got to remind ourselves that just because we study something, work a particular job or work to get a qualification doesn't mean were stuck doing it or can't apply those skills elsewhere. We're allowed to change. Great insights in the vlog.

[zzzetazt]

I feel like a lot of us STEM people daydream a lot with having careers in some way of "arts", as a woman is so hard to accept too, people have so many expectations since we are in "male dominant fields", more when you're in your 20's and people is expecting for you to be sure about your career, your job, your future, so exhausting to think that by your 30's you're expected to have a "stable" life, when in reality life feels like is just starting!

[juliet]

I’m 22 and trying to navigate all the different career paths and hearing your perspective on this is so comforting. I’ve been pre med, pre engineering, pre law, pre actuarial science, and i’m currently a financial analyst and i think i might just want to work my way up through experience within my company. But my previous career prospects are always lingering in the back of my mind..

[cynicalcenobia]

I work at a market research consultancy atm in London, and everything you've said about managing project deadlines, work relationships with seniors and the monotony of the work itself sometimes has literally been me for the past year. Felt a bit seen, haha!😅 I'm looking for a change now as well, but it's really tough to find the balance between career aspirations, and so called "dream job/goals", and practicality, i.e. finding something with a decent work-life-balance and something that also pays the bills.

Then, factor in the madness that is the living and energy-crisis in the UK (& elsewhere) right now, and it makes you think about how brave you want to be with your career choices.

Really loving these career chats, I wish more young working professionals our age would do these on YouTube, I've found them very useful personally. Could you talk about what you do for self-development or when you want to take control of your own learning and acquire new skills?🙂

[alexhika]

This was very interesting to listen to, one of my closest friends has a similar career and I always struggle to grasp what she does :") As someone who has just turned 30, I am really impressed by your healthy attitude towards career paths, I grew up thinking I wanted to have a certain type of job, but as I went through different experiences, I completely redefined my priorities and what I consider a good quality of life. We can go through phases or just change our mind, it's completely fine and I would never consider what we do a waste of time! ☺️

[jamesramsey]

Another wonderful presentation, and I still have the opinion you have chosen wisely. Eventually, this path will open a variety of opportunities.
My association with actuaries is that they are very personal individuals with a variety of knowledge. So miss Paige, you should be very comfortable in this environment.
:o)

[annikaa.]

This was so interesting, I love your job content! Feels so relatable as a 20-something who’s started working full time xx

[rationalis]

Yay, Paige's new video! What a nice development after having come back from work on a Friday evening :)

I myself have actually found a new job (Audit in KPMG), and will continue my ACCA studies, so I will be able to relate to you about the exams soon enough. :)

[lennylaa]

Yes Paige, I can see the career path, promotions and excellent salaries including
incremental enhancements in future.
It's all to the good if you start work another hour or two early, makes a good impression.
In time, do you get to to read the company accounts/balance sheet?
If they are making vast profits - which you helped to create, is it possible you could
become disillusioned believing you should be paid a lot more or maybe move on
or start up your own business, possibly in another field altogether?

[jessleggett]

You could always look at taking the two weeks annual leave and then the same again but unpaid to allow for bigger trips!

[anthony]

All the options really do make the decision process in what to stick with difficult, especially when those hours get long and the work loads get heav y, regardless of the pay.

[harryjamessmithmusic]

Great job! ... Happy New Year, Paige!

[TwinGeeks]

Have you joined an influencer agency like Gleam? They could help you do some presenting work, and you could fit this in around your job until you had enough to do that full time. Gleam also has an in-house literary agency and help influencers get book deals, but there are lots of agencies. It might be worth talking to some and seeing if they can make your goals happen, though it's not for everyone as they take a percentage of your advertising earnings (not youtube revenue). I'd say now is the time to try things like this when you have such a big following. You don't have to stick to science presenting, but it's definitely an area that's looking for more women, and you'd be great on a kids or mainstream show explaining space and the universe!

[cheninblanc]

It's so interesting that you don't get paid overtime but that it reflects in your salary, it makes sense but doesn't that clash with people claiming they need a work-life balance? If then you do want to work on a joint project...

[nirajshah]

A lot of this is relatable from a fellow student actuary!! I am actually moving job in mid February and I have to deal with the adjustment of a new job. What tips would you give when it comes to leaving a job/starting a new job?

[AysenurToptas]

Happy new year Paige! 🎄🎄Love your videos as always! 🤗🤗

[matthewjeans]

Great video! 😁👅 Happy New Year 2023. Peace and love 💛🌤💫✌🏼

[junal]

Love your video, thank you very much. I would like to know your frank opinion, I am 50+ and transitioning into actuarial science after almost 30 years working in a different field. How would you see an entry level folk the age of your father under your supervision?, do you see age an issue?. Unfortunately other actuaries have discouraged me however not quitted yet. Cheers!

[samanthar]

Heyy Paige!!! Do you think you can do an outfit haul sometime?🙈 I am obsessed with some of your outfits and would love to see one of those videos 😍😍

[MultiPiddles]

money is not the be all an end all. I do not have a very highly paid job but I earn enough to live a good life. I have nevere been intereted in the high life