What Questions to Ask an Actuary?

[KristiNJ]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a few months now and have learned a lot from you all. I'm a career changer who will be taking Exam P in November as my first exam. I recently started a new job at a large insurance company, with the hope of perhaps transferring within the company to an actuarial position after I've passed a few exams. Right now my job has nothing to do with math, although I have done some pension plan administration in the past.

My question is, I've reached out to an actuary at my company and will be having lunch with her to discuss the career in general and opportunities at my company in particular. What are some good questions I can ask her?

TIA.

[turtron]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a few months now and have learned a lot from you all. I'm a career changer who will be taking Exam P in November as my first exam. I recently started a new job at a large insurance company, with the hope of perhaps transferring within the company to an actuarial position after I've passed a few exams. Right now my job has nothing to do with math, although I have done some pension plan administration in the past.

My question is, I've reached out to an actuary at my company and will be having lunch with her to discuss the career in general and opportunities at my company in particular. What are some good questions I can ask her?

TIA.

Whatever you want to know.

[dmbfan41]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a few months now and have learned a lot from you all. I'm a career changer who will be taking Exam P in November as my first exam. I recently started a new job at a large insurance company, with the hope of perhaps transferring within the company to an actuarial position after I've passed a few exams. Right now my job has nothing to do with math, although I have done some pension plan administration in the past.

My question is, I've reached out to an actuary at my company and will be having lunch with her to discuss the career in general and opportunities at my company in particular. What are some good questions I can ask her?

TIA.

i'd ask, but certainly wouldn't limit it to these:

1. what are your daily duties/responsibilities?

2. how did you balance your job, studying for exams, and personal time?

3. what do you like most/least about your job?

4. how did you decide what company and field you wanted to work in?

5. what are your typical hours like?

[KristiNJ]

Thanks for those suggestions dmbfan, they are very helpful.

[wat]

i'd ask, but certainly wouldn't limit it to these:

1. what are your daily duties/responsibilities?

2. how did you balance your job, studying for exams, and personal time?

3. what do you like most/least about your job?

4. how did you decide what company and field you wanted to work in?

5. what are your typical hours like?

These are good ideas.

One thing you might ask is "What did you find challenging when you first became an actuary?" Most people don't think to ask it and then they get blindsided by whatever comes their way and get frustrated in the first few years.

[KristiNJ]

Thanks wat and dmbfan for your suggestions. I had the meeting today and it went very well. We had a two hour discussion about life as an actuary and I'm still convinced this is the correct path for me. Now just gotta make it happen.

Oh and I can apply for the student program as soon as I've passed an exam. She will guide me through the process and put in a good word for me. I'm glad I stuck out my neck and asked for the meeting. It was well worth it.

[wat]

Thanks wat and dmbfan for your suggestions. I had the meeting today and it went very well. We had a two hour discussion about life as an actuary and I'm still convinced this is the correct path for me. Now just gotta make it happen.

Oh and I can apply for the student program as soon as I've passed an exam. She will guide me through the process and put in a good word for me. I'm glad I stuck out my neck and asked for the meeting. It was well worth it.

Glad to hear the interview went well and good luck with it in the future! Study hard!