Date:         Mon, 9 May 2005 14:24:13 -0400
Reply-To:     Venita DePuy <depuy001@NOTES.DUKE.EDU>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Venita DePuy <depuy001@NOTES.DUKE.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Actuary
In-Reply-To:  <200505091804.j49I4rjK026946@listserv.cc.uga.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

My additional 2 cents, although from a statistician's perspective -

1) Insurance companies set their rates based on what actuaries do.  In our
society, can you *ever* see insurance going away? I'd be fairly confident
that the job market will continue to be good.

2) My stats degree (from NCSU) gave me a choice of several tracks -
biomedical, environmental, mathematical, or genetic statistics.  I've seen
other universities offer actuarial tracts as a focus of a statistics
degree.  I'd pick something like that (as opposed to a degree specifically
in actuarial science)- you have the exposure to different aspects, can
focus on actuarial science, but aren't limiting yourself if another aspect
appeals to you.  I switched what I want to do in life numerous times,
before and during college, between degrees, etc.  Don't pigeonhole
yourself.

3) Having had (statistician) friends look into being an actuary, from what
I remember of what they said - there's 7 tests to become a full-fledged
actuary.  I understand the first one doesn't require much besides calculus
- ie nothing that requires specific actuary experience or classwork.  The
others you take over time, not all at once, as you learn more and more
about the field.  Intro actuary jobs seem to want you to have taken the
first test (although not all do) - my thought is that it shows you're
interested in the field, not just applying because there's an opening.
There are books to study for the tests; I think the first one is about
$100 to take.

4) DEFINITELY take typing - you will need it for any technical job along
these lines - and take a statistics class soon - some high schools offer
them.

5) Assuming you go in to a stats department in college - they (and
virtually any dept) have speakers come in on a weekly basis . . .  push
for having an actuary come speak.  You won't be the only one interested -
I'm told they make rather good $ and have good working enironments.

Good luck.
Venita









On Sun, 8 May 2005 13:01:53 -0700, codeus@GMAIL.COM wrote:

>Hi, I am a 16 year old student who is planning on going to the
>University of Washington next year. I am planning on becoming an
>actuary, but I have a few questions:
>
>1. How is the job market for actuaries?
>
>2. Are there are any other careers related to actuaries (plenty of math
>involved) that still pay good?
>
>3. Will there still be a lot of positions for actuaries in 10/20/30
>years?