is it possible to shadow an actuary on the job?

[folasona]

Hi,

I earned my B.S. in Mathematics in 2001, but never really considered the actuarial profession seriously until recently after a couple zigs and zags in life including working in teaching and recently completing a not-so-relevant interdisciplinary masters degree from NYU.

I had my first interview today and didn't do a great job of being convincing as to why I have finally decided to finally settle on the actuarial profession as a career path (although I have). If I had had an actual first hand look at what the day to day work of an actuary looks like it would have helped.

I'm wondering if anyone could help me find an opportunity to shadow an actuary/s on the job in the NYC area? This would help me in the (hopeful) follow up interview or in future interviews in my effort to convince potential employers that I know what I'm getting into and am not just headed for another zig or zag after they invest time in training me. It may also help me decide which branch of the profession I want to aim for in the long term.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Secret12]

Hi,

I earned my B.S. in Mathematics in 2001, but never really considered the actuarial profession seriously until recently after a couple zigs and zags in life including working in teaching and recently completing a not-so-relevant interdisciplinary masters degree from NYU.

I had my first interview today and didn't do a great job of being convincing as to why I have finally decided to finally settle on the actuarial profession as a career path (although I have). If I had had an actual first hand look at what the day to day work of an actuary looks like it would have helped.

I'm wondering if anyone could help me find an opportunity to shadow an actuary/s on the job in the NYC area? This would help me in the (hopeful) follow up interview or in future interviews in my effort to convince potential employers that I know what I'm getting into and am not just headed for another zig or zag after they invest time in training me. It may also help me decide which branch of the profession I want to aim for in the long term.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I guess the below link could help you...Keep in touch !!!


http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos041.htm

[JS1]

I seriously doubt an actuary will let you watch him work. Besides, it would be useless, because 95% of the time, it's pretty mundane and completely foreign to you. Even if you were an actuary at another place, a new place is going to have new systems, new stuff, etc., making it foreign even for an FSA. My previous-previous boss was an actuary at another insurance company and it took him 6 months to catch up to the rest of us peons.

Besides the impractical nature of your request, if you had your interview today, why are you asking now? Did they tell you in the interview that you can just forget it, we're not hiring you?

[JMO Fan]

I work with a lot of confidential material. Privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA) can make shadowing an actuary difficult. Some actuaries can do it, but I try to discuss my work with those interested, answer questions without actually being "shadowed."

[NoMoreExams]

Just call yourself an unpaid intern and try to get an internship? :wink: