Best way to become an actuary

I agree, why the obsession with the big four? Better to decide what you want to do (generally insurance or pensions) and go from there. In the actuarial pensions market there are other bigger employers of actuaries anyway, that also have bigger shares of the market, so probably a better place to be. Their business is also generally concentrated on their actuaries rather than their accountants.

And yep, actuarial science degree will help (although it just annoys everyone at work who doesn't have exemptions!), but if you change your mind halfway through you're a bit stuck. Something more general like maths/economics is also good, and gives you more options.

The amount of exemptions you have are definitely not taken into account by employers by the way (not by mine anyway), but obviously do allow you to qualify a bit quicker.

How is pensions? Did you choose it specifically, or did you just apply to all kinds of jobs? Are you glad you work in pensions, or are you hoping to get into another area (like investment) from there?

I'm starting in pensions in September and I'm just curious as I've read in a few places that pensions is the most boring area of actuarial work Hope you don't mind my questions!

Haha hadn't heard that myself! One thing is it is constantly changing I suppose which makes it a bit interesting?!

I did actually choose it specifically, preferred it over insurance mainly because of the general consulting side of things. Don't really have much of an appreciation as to how much working in insurance differs though. I imagine investment is similar but just looking at the other side of things, more assets than liabilities. Can't say I'm intentionally using it to get somewhere else anyway, still liking it at the moment. It does help that I work in a young sociable office as well though, with only a handful of people over 40.

You might find it more interesting than you think, don't really know! Certainly lots to take in anyway. Whereabouts are you working? And did you choose it specifically? Easy enough to move around anyway, a mate in my grad year just moved to investment recently.

Well I did an arts degree (!), so I was kind of limited as to the companies I could apply to - most of the ones that didn't specify numerical degrees were consultancies and hence tended to specialise in pensions. Like you I am particularly interested in the consultancy side of things though!

I'm starting at Hymans Robertson in London in September. The company seems great and I love the people - they also make out that it's really varied work which I like the sound of, though you never know how much is just recruitment hyperbole Indeed, I haven't met anyone who works in pensions and who isn't trying to get me to be interested in his/her company, so I was just curious!