Any actuaries out there?

Lindsay Lohan

So - while I'm relatively content in my current role, like everyone I fear that we'll have (another) downsizing at my company. If that occurs I'd like to have a few backup plans on the burner.

First, I have a degree in high school math education, so I could easily go grab a teaching job. However, I've been looking more and more at the actuarial field as a possible option as I'd really only need to pass one test and be hire-able in the field and the pay seems like it would be pretty good.

Is there anybody who is/has been an actuary? It seems awesome - nothing but math all day with no more customer service pain. I have a sample test I'm working with, but was wondering just how rough are the tests I'll end up taking?

musanman

I can't possibly imagine running odds on people dying and shit is fun, despite the pay.

Wezoin

Not sure what the teaching job market is like where you are, but it's probably harder to get a job in it than you realize. I work at a store that sells the textbooks for the teacher's college in my area (apparently one of the better ones) and most of them have a really hard time finding a job. Though I suppose you may have experience, where they are lacking, or live in a place where they need more teachers. I'm just saying, make sure you look into it fairly well before counting on it as a backup

Alpharius

Lindsey Lohan wrote: »

So - while I'm relatively content in my current role, like everyone I fear that we'll have (another) downsizing at my company. If that occurs I'd like to have a few backup plans on the burner.

First, I have a degree in high school math education, so I could easily go grab a teaching job. However, I've been looking more and more at the actuarial field as a possible option as I'd really only need to pass one test and be hire-able in the field and the pay seems like it would be pretty good.

Is there anybody who is/has been an actuary? It seems awesome - nothing but math all day with no more customer service pain. I have a sample test I'm working with, but was wondering just how rough are the tests I'll end up taking?

just remember that passing that test simply makes you eligible to apply for actuarial jobs, you will still be competing with people who have degrees (and postgrad) in actuarial studies for a limited number of high paying jobs i.e. passing the test is not a competing factor, all applicants will have it.

Septus

musanman wrote: »

I can't possibly imagine running odds on people dying and shit is fun, despite the pay.

I think this is a big reason why actuaries have like, the second highest rate of suicide of professions in the U.S.

EggyToast

My sister-in-law is an actuary. It's mostly stats and Excel, and a large part of the actuary biz is studying for and taking difficult tests -- the tests dictate the stuff you can do, how you advance, and how much money you make. You take the majority of the tests once you're hired, though, since they're tests to advance.

You do need to be familiar with high level math, such as calculus. It's a little depressing as a vocation, but most of the depression in the field comes from the fact that it attracts math geeks with poor social skills. For example, my sis-in-law is 24 years old and has never had a boyfriend (or girlfriend). She's friendly and cute but she's happy staying at home studying for the next actuary test ;D

Pay is great, though.

Lindsay Lohan

Septus wrote: »

musanman wrote: »

I can't possibly imagine running odds on people dying and shit is fun, despite the pay.

I think this is a big reason why actuaries have like, the second highest rate of suicide of professions in the U.S.

I know - but frankly after dealing with customer service for 6 years (4 of which were people on disability claims) laying odds on their death really doesn't seem that bad. During my 4 year stint in disability I spoke with terminally ill people with every disease known to man, union bosses trying to force through payments, and children of deceased claimants. Spending the day doing straight math to determine who can have insurance really doesn't seem that bad in comparison.

For the qualification piece - I know that there will be some with actual degrees in the field - however it seems like the demand still outpaces the applicants from what I've seen. Plus, I do have experience in group insurance which is in my favor.