Earning a living as an actuary can be pretty great.
Actuaries carry out detailed mathematical analyses that helps their companies understand and make important decisions. The majority of actuaries work in the insurance industry, working for either a life and health insurance company or a property and casualty insurance company. A smaller percentage of them work at large pension or investment funds, other financial service firms or in actuarial consulting services.
Most people in the actuary line of work started with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, economics, finance or accounting.
There is a formal series of actuarial examinations that a person needs to pass in order to advance up the actuary ladder. These tests are meant to gauge the student’s competence in statistics, calculus, probability and other mathematics areas. You can start taking the first exam while still in college. Everyone who wants to sit for the exam uses either one or two self-study guides and/or study classes. Students who have passed at least one examination have a better opportunity for getting a starting job than students who have not passed one. These exams are given only twice each year.
Actuaries continue to take the entire series of examinations. Upon successfully passing the first few exams, the student will earn their associate level (ASA), and with further tests, advance to the fellowship level (FSA).
You can prepare to become an actuary by taking classes and studying to take the series of exams necessary to be certified as an actuary. Everyone encourages young students and associates to try to pass all of the exam levels as soon as possible. Not only will the exams be easier for someone who has recently completed their college-level math classes, but career advancement and daily work opportunities may also be offered.
You can find out more about these actuarial classes.
