Can I get into actuarial profession with a Music degree...

So many people today were telling me how rubbish tutorials are - apparently, someone walked out of a CA1 tutorial and never went back because it was 'like so lame and stuff'.

Jelks, I really want to know which one fancy now. What are you sitting this time? :tongue:

I got told by a client that I've become better at dealing with 'high-stake, senior level politics'. As far as I can tell, that means I've become better at saying 'you deal with this shizz, I'm going home' :biggrin:

Reply 1382

Ok I have a problem and I'm going to post it here for some actuarial perspectives (although shamika you've already contributed so feel free to ignore :tongue:

)

It's basically a problem of choosing where to go for university. My choices are between Warwick maths, Imperial maths and Queen's Belfast actuarial science. Now as far as I'm aware, doing well at the former 2 will put me in fantastic stead for many financial jobs, and I'm almost sure I want to be an actuary so this is good. I also love maths, so this would suggest doing maths would suit me more.

However, I also love the economics and statistics side of things, and the act sci degree would satisfy that - I'd just be missing out on my pure and mechanics. The QUB course also has a compulsary year in industry, along with a summer internship scheme, which has got many students into fantastic jobs (the 8 exemptions also look tempting in the long run). Also as I'm from NI, I'd be staying close to home for now, which is another serious factor to consider.

Overall, I'm pretty stuck and don't know what to do. Would I be disadvantaged applying for actuarial jobs at top London firms if I stayed at QUB? Or should I just go for it take up one of the maths offers? Any opinions would be helpful, and apologies for the long rant.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 1383

JohnnySPal

Original post by CD315

Ok I have a problem and I'm going to post it here for some actuarial perspectives (although shamika you've already contributed so feel free to ignorable :tongue:

)

It's basically a problem of choosing where to go for university. My choices are between Warwick maths, Imperial maths and Queen's Belfast actuarial science. Now as far as I'm aware, doing well at the former 2 will put me in fantastic stead for many financial jobs, and I'm almost sure I want to be an actuary so this is good. I also love maths, so this would suggest doing maths would suit me more.

However, I also love the economics and statistics side of things, and the act sci degree would satisfy that - I'd just be missing out on my pure and mechanics. The QUB course also has a compulsary year in industry, along with a summer internship scheme, which has got many students into fantastic jobs (the 8 exemptions also look tempting in the long run). Also as I'm from NI, I'd be staying close to home for now, which is another serious factor to consider.

Overall, I'm pretty stuck and don't know what to do. Would I be disadvantaged applying for actuarial jobs at top London firms if I stayed at QUB? Or should I just go for it take up one of the maths offers? Any opinions would be helpful, and apologies for the long rant.

I did Warwick maths so i'm biased, but at Warwick you can take any module you want within reason. My girlfriend who also did maths did a French course that counted towards a fifth of her final year marks. To do a few physics, stats and economic courses (say) is actively encouraged by the department.

Also, exemptions are for the WEAK. People who do the whole slog are much better respected in my experience. I'd focus on maximising enjoyment for now, you can always specialise later. But that's just my opinion, don't take any of that as fact!

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 1384

Original post by JohnnySPal

I did Warwick maths so i'm biased, but at Warwick you can take any module you want within reason. My girlfriend who also did maths did a French course that counted towards a fifth of her final year marks. To do a few physics, stats and economic courses (say) is actively encouraged by the department.

Also, exemptions are for the WEAK. People who do the whole slog are much better respected in my experience. I'd focus on maximising enjoyment for now, you can always specialise later. But that's just my opinion, don't take any of that as fact!

Yeah that's a good point. Do you feel going to Warwick put you at an advantage for grad jobs?

Reply 1385

Original post by JohnnySPal

Also, exemptions are for the WEAK. People who do the whole slog are much better respected in my experience. I'd focus on maximising enjoyment for now, you can always specialise later. But that's just my opinion, don't take any of that as fact!

Shush, you know you're jelling. I am!

Original post by CD315

Ok I have a problem and I'm going to post it here for some actuarial perspectives (although shamika you've already contributed so feel free to ignore :tongue:

)

It's basically a problem of choosing where to go for university. My choices are between Warwick maths, Imperial maths and Queen's Belfast actuarial science. Now as far as I'm aware, doing well at the former 2 will put me in fantastic stead for many financial jobs, and I'm almost sure I want to be an actuary so this is good. I also love maths, so this would suggest doing maths would suit me more.

However, I also love the economics and statistics side of things, and the act sci degree would satisfy that - I'd just be missing out on my pure and mechanics. The QUB course also has a compulsary year in industry, along with a summer internship scheme, which has got many students into fantastic jobs (the 8 exemptions also look tempting in the long run). Also as I'm from NI, I'd be staying close to home for now, which is another serious factor to consider.

Overall, I'm pretty stuck and don't know what to do. Would I be disadvantaged applying for actuarial jobs at top London firms if I stayed at QUB? Or should I just go for it take up one of the maths offers? Any opinions would be helpful, and apologies for the long rant.

What about MORSE at Warwick? That sounds like a great idea given your practical interests...

Reply 1386

Original post by shamika

What about MORSE at Warwick? That sounds like a great idea given your practical interests...

Yeah, it is a great course. In the end I decided to apply for maths as it was just so similar (due to choice) and probably more respected!

Reply 1387

Original post by CD315

Yeah, it is a great course. In the end I decided to apply for maths as it was just so similar (due to choice) and probably more respected!

But it does everything you want it to, doesn't it? Including getting you 7 exemptions. It seems like the course is ideal for you :-/

Reply 1388

JohnnySPal

Original post by shamika

Shush, you know you're jelling. I am!

What about MORSE at Warwick? That sounds like a great idea given your practical interests...

Jelling? WTF you on about? :wtf:

If you mean I'm jealous, then not really! I loved my maths course, and don't regret missing out on exemptions one bit. Plus I frequently end up drowning in puss-ehhh within my wider team, what with all my many hard-earned proper exam passes.

Yeah, why not do MORSE? It really would be the ideal course you. If you're really that bothered about having it on the CV, you can heavily bias the modules you take to the maths department and emphasise what you did on your CV.

Reply 1389

Jelkin

17

Original post by Slumpy

PM notes on best/fanciable/etc? :p:

FOTR was on film4. I didn't have high hopes with the start of that video, but couldn't stop laughing at the end. Worrying.

Have now sorted out my life, now to do WBS question. Ideal timing.

I know what you mean, I was much the same when I first saw it. It gets funnier the more you watch it.

You've sorted out your life?? Jealous. I am going to do WBS after exams. I said this a year ago, and six months ago, but this time I mean it.

Original post by JohnnySPal

Even more justification for my factually correct statement that tutorials are for girls :tongue:

There are lady tutors as well. I've had two. ("had" meaning "been taught by" and not anything more nudgenudgewinkwink)

Original post by shamika

So many people today were telling me how rubbish tutorials are - apparently, someone walked out of a CA1 tutorial and never went back because it was 'like so lame and stuff'.

Jelks, I really want to know which one fancy now. What are you sitting this time? :tongue:

I got told by a client that I've become better at dealing with 'high-stake, senior level politics'. As far as I can tell, that means I've become better at saying 'you deal with this shizz, I'm going home' :biggrin:

I love tutorials! I find that all the tutors are really good, not just the ones I fancy, and they're always my most productive study days. Also, they add structure to the study period. Plus, they suit my style of learning much better - sitting down and reading maths isn't really my scene. Much more keen on seeing it applied.

I'll PM people who the tutor was because I have no dignity.

EASTER, I LOVE YOU. Five days of not-work. Thank you Jesus/Christianity/banks/study days. Must actually study though.

Reply 1390

Jelkin

17

P.S. Sorry for spamming and not helping That Other Poster, but I'm not really sure of the answer. I'd say they're all good career-wise (a year in industry strikes me as pretty valuable, but a pure maths degree is not to be sniffed at). I'd say: do the one you prefer, sort out the job later.

Also, doesn't MORSE have an excellent reputation? Like, I can't see why you'd feel the need to explain it on your CV.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 1391

munn

Original post by JohnnySPal

Also, exemptions are for the WEAK. People who do the whole slog are much better respected in my experience. I'd focus on maximising enjoyment for now, you can always specialise later. But that's just my opinion, don't take any of that as fact!

I couldn't tell you how many exemptions a single qualified actuary in my company had. Once you get that FIA/FFA after your name nobody cares how many exams you took, how long it took you to qualify or how many times you failed.

Also to answer the question, do the course that interests you most and never ever ever ever study a subject in pursuit of a particular job. You get 18 months into an act sci course and realise actually you don't want to be an actuary where does that leave you? Don't get me wrong, I was interested in actuarial work before I went to uni and those 8 exemptions would be worth a lot of money to me right now, but I went to a uni I loved and did a course I loved and I haven't for a SECOND regretted it.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 1392

Thanks everyone :smile:

Reply 1393

Slumpy

Original post by Jelkin

I love tutorials! I find that all the tutors are really good, not just the ones I fancy, and they're always my most productive study days. Also, they add structure to the study period. Plus, they suit my style of learning much better - sitting down and reading maths isn't really my scene. Much more keen on seeing it applied.

I'll PM people who the tutor was because I have no dignity.

EASTER, I LOVE YOU. Five days of not-work. Thank you Jesus/Christianity/banks/study days. Must actually study though.

Major fan of tutorials. If only because it's a few days of revision where I can't get away with just looking at the answer and going 'yup, that's absolutely what I'd have done'...

Reply 1394

I love over-prepared me from a couple of sittings ago. I made notes on data and reserving stuff when I thought I was sitting ST7. Saved me hours of work, I can just read that. Yay me :tongue:

Reply 1395

ninegrandstudent

11

Original post by CD315

Ok I have a problem and I'm going to post it here for some actuarial perspectives (although shamika you've already contributed so feel free to ignore :tongue:

)

It's basically a problem of choosing where to go for university. My choices are between Warwick maths, Imperial maths and Queen's Belfast actuarial science. Now as far as I'm aware, doing well at the former 2 will put me in fantastic stead for many financial jobs, and I'm almost sure I want to be an actuary so this is good. I also love maths, so this would suggest doing maths would suit me more.

However, I also love the economics and statistics side of things, and the act sci degree would satisfy that - I'd just be missing out on my pure and mechanics. The QUB course also has a compulsary year in industry, along with a summer internship scheme, which has got many students into fantastic jobs (the 8 exemptions also look tempting in the long run). Also as I'm from NI, I'd be staying close to home for now, which is another serious factor to consider.

Overall, I'm pretty stuck and don't know what to do. Would I be disadvantaged applying for actuarial jobs at top London firms if I stayed at QUB? Or should I just go for it take up one of the maths offers? Any opinions would be helpful, and apologies for the long rant.

From a first-year undergraduate student perspective - do the course you'd prefer (not for career reasons) at the university you like best.

I went for Actuarial Science (I get 8 exemptions if I get the grades) because (1) I didn't think I was quite good enough for maths at a top university, i.e. Warwick etc, and (2) I like maths with a purpose, pure maths would have probably put me off!

Go for enjoyment now, and if that brings exemptions then all the better I'd say. I actually had a meeting with (I believe) the director of education from the Profession on Wednesday, and he said that they like Act Sci students cos of their wider range of skills - so basically if you do pure maths, try to do other modules too (this is why I loved the sound of Warwicks course, I just know I wouldn't have got in with no Further Maths and anxiety in exams affecting performance!).

Reply 1396

JohnnySPal

Original post by Jelkin

You've sorted out your life?? Jealous. I am going to do WBS after exams. I said this a year ago, and six months ago, but this time I mean it.

:ashamed2:

There are lady tutors as well. I've had two. ("had" meaning "been taught by" and not anything more nudgenudgewinkwink)

I love tutorials! I find that all the tutors are really good, not just the ones I fancy, and they're always my most productive study days. Also, they add structure to the study period. Plus, they suit my style of learning much better - sitting down and reading maths isn't really my scene. Much more keen on seeing it applied.

I'll PM people who the tutor was because I have no dignity.

EASTER, I LOVE YOU. Five days of not-work. Thank you Jesus/Christianity/banks/study days. Must actually study though.

I've done one year of WBS write-ups now. Honestly, I feel so much better for starting it. It's really not that difficult to do, just a little time-consuming. The most painful bit is getting manager/supervisor input, I find.

So you occasionally get your horn on for the actuaries and bat for the other team then, Jelko? Niiiice :tongue:

God I feel guilty now. I've more than managed without extra prep from things like tutorials, but I'm now feeling quite behind my peers. I wasn't even planning on learning mnemonics for CA1 which seems to be the norm for most people, as I can't see how it'd be directly useful in answering questions. Also, it might seem quite big-headed, but my answers don't always match the ones given in solutions, but I'm not always so concerned because I still think I'm making equally valid points. So to summarise, TSR is making me worried so I might switch it off for two weeks :frown:

On an unrelated note, I'm now booked onto CA2 for two weeks before the September exams. My employer are ****ing useless in many respects, but they're especially bad at efficiently processing expenses requests. I'd never get onto my preferred dates if I re-applied from scratch - it took them two months (you heard) to process my application form and send it onto the profession.

Reply 1397

Slumpy

Original post by shamika

I love over-prepared me from a couple of sittings ago. I made notes on data and reserving stuff when I thought I was sitting ST7. Saved me hours of work, I can just read that. Yay me :tongue:

Over prepared you sounds pretty great. Were I doing ST7, I think I'd want to brown nose.

Reply 1398

Jelkin

17

Original post by JohnnySPal

I've done one year of WBS write-ups now. Honestly, I feel so much better for starting it. It's really not that difficult to do, just a little time-consuming. The most painful bit is getting manager/supervisor input, I find.

So you occasionally get your horn on for the actuaries and bat for the other team then, Jelko? Niiiice :tongue:

God I feel guilty now. I've more than managed without extra prep from things like tutorials, but I'm now feeling quite behind my peers. I wasn't even planning on learning mnemonics for CA1 which seems to be the norm for most people, as I can't see how it'd be directly useful in answering questions. Also, it might seem quite big-headed, but my answers don't always match the ones given in solutions, but I'm not always so concerned because I still think I'm making equally valid points. So to summarise, TSR is making me worried so I might switch it off for two weeks :frown:

On an unrelated note, I'm now booked onto CA2 for two weeks before the September exams. My employer are ****ing useless in many respects, but they're especially bad at efficiently processing expenses requests. I'd never get onto my preferred dates if I re-applied from scratch - it took them two months (you heard) to process my application form and send it onto the profession.

Damn, am I sounding like some sort of creepy pervert? I'm not IRL, honest. It's the stupid internet making me write things again. Should probably start a new account just to hide the link to my identity ... then I can be as sleazy as I want.

Also, to clarify, the Stephen Merchant one was the best because he explained things well, not because he reminded me of Stephen Merchant. Though he did have a great sense of humour, which helped. Although he did once say that pensions actuaries could be replaced by monkeys :frown:

Yeah, I do really want to start WBS logs after exams. I'm going to try to get the other grad on my team to do it too and then we can bully each other until they're done.

Why do you feel behind? :frown:

I'm impressed you don't go for the extra materials. I do find that sometimes I think I've answered a wordy question correctly and I find the marker has a different opinion, but since you're chugging along quite happily it could be that you just don't need it. My ex-flatmate doesn't get anything other than the basic CMP and he is passing like a champ. He'll finish all the CTs this sitting probably (he's taking 6, 7 and 8).

TBH my TSR use will probably spike before exams when I'm trying to study. Probably most of all this weekend. I am actually sitting with all my study gubbins in front of me right now. It helped back at uni when I was pulling all-nighters as there were other insomniacs on the Durham forum - one of them actually proofread a few essays for me :p:

It's a morale-booster when you know other people are slogging their guts out too.

On to study. Binomial trees, bring it on.

EDIT: Could you complain to anyone about the expenses thing? Guess it's a bit late now.

Reply 1399