Career Change to Actuary
Folks,
I am potentially looking at a career change to Actuarial Science. Previously, I have done a post-grad degree with specialization in Finance. However, my work experience bears absolutely no semblance to my studies - which includes 5 years of retail management and 5 years of self employment.
Plan goes like this.
- Go to City or Heriot-watt to do two MSc's in actuarial science and management to gain maximum exemptions over two years. (radical or what?!?!)
- start on actuarial ladder.
I know the conventional wisdom is to do couple of CTs and look for a job. However, at my age (32), I can;t afford to lose any more time.
Now, the questions:
1- Having gained maximum number of exemptions and with no experience, where does one start on a job ladder? My hunch says bottom.. and I'm quite prepared for that. However, it would be nice to have some feedback from people in industry.
2- Which university has a better brand recognition in the industry? City or Heriot-watt?
3- Would you guys recommend spending two years to gain maximum exemptions? The idea is to be able to clear everything up by 40. If I start with a couple.. with a job, It could take me a lot longer to finish everything up.
4- By the time I finish, I'll be nearly 35-36. Too late for a career change?
5- Do you, off the top of your head, know of any compnaies who take mature graduates for entry level jobs? Most of the companies that I have researched restrict entry level jobs to fresh graduates. Having said that, will I be classed as a fresh graduate?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
A.
I am potentially looking at a career change to Actuarial Science. Previously, I have done a post-grad degree with specialization in Finance. However, my work experience bears absolutely no semblance to my studies - which includes 5 years of retail management and 5 years of self employment.
Plan goes like this.
- Go to City or Heriot-watt to do two MSc's in actuarial science and management to gain maximum exemptions over two years. (radical or what?!?!)
- start on actuarial ladder.
I know the conventional wisdom is to do couple of CTs and look for a job. However, at my age (32), I can;t afford to lose any more time.
Now, the questions:
1- Having gained maximum number of exemptions and with no experience, where does one start on a job ladder? My hunch says bottom.. and I'm quite prepared for that. However, it would be nice to have some feedback from people in industry.
2- Which university has a better brand recognition in the industry? City or Heriot-watt?
3- Would you guys recommend spending two years to gain maximum exemptions? The idea is to be able to clear everything up by 40. If I start with a couple.. with a job, It could take me a lot longer to finish everything up.
4- By the time I finish, I'll be nearly 35-36. Too late for a career change?
5- Do you, off the top of your head, know of any compnaies who take mature graduates for entry level jobs? Most of the companies that I have researched restrict entry level jobs to fresh graduates. Having said that, will I be classed as a fresh graduate?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
A.
Original post by Amadeus
Folks,
I am potentially looking at a career change to Actuarial Science. Previously, I have done a post-grad degree with specialization in Finance. However, my work experience bears absolutely no semblance to my studies - which includes 5 years of retail management and 5 years of self employment.
Plan goes like this.
- Go to City or Heriot-watt to do two MSc's in actuarial science and management to gain maximum exemptions over two years. (radical or what?!?!)
- start on actuarial ladder.
I know the conventional wisdom is to do couple of CTs and look for a job. However, at my age (32), I can;t afford to lose any more time.
Now, the questions:
1- Having gained maximum number of exemptions and with no experience, where does one start on a job ladder? My hunch says bottom.. and I'm quite prepared for that. However, it would be nice to have some feedback from people in industry.
2- Which university has a better brand recognition in the industry? City or Heriot-watt?
3- Would you guys recommend spending two years to gain maximum exemptions? The idea is to be able to clear everything up by 40. If I start with a couple.. with a job, It could take me a lot longer to finish everything up.
4- By the time I finish, I'll be nearly 35-36. Too late for a career change?
5- Do you, off the top of your head, know of any compnaies who take mature graduates for entry level jobs? Most of the companies that I have researched restrict entry level jobs to fresh graduates. Having said that, will I be classed as a fresh graduate?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
A.
I am potentially looking at a career change to Actuarial Science. Previously, I have done a post-grad degree with specialization in Finance. However, my work experience bears absolutely no semblance to my studies - which includes 5 years of retail management and 5 years of self employment.
Plan goes like this.
- Go to City or Heriot-watt to do two MSc's in actuarial science and management to gain maximum exemptions over two years. (radical or what?!?!)
- start on actuarial ladder.
I know the conventional wisdom is to do couple of CTs and look for a job. However, at my age (32), I can;t afford to lose any more time.
Now, the questions:
1- Having gained maximum number of exemptions and with no experience, where does one start on a job ladder? My hunch says bottom.. and I'm quite prepared for that. However, it would be nice to have some feedback from people in industry.
2- Which university has a better brand recognition in the industry? City or Heriot-watt?
3- Would you guys recommend spending two years to gain maximum exemptions? The idea is to be able to clear everything up by 40. If I start with a couple.. with a job, It could take me a lot longer to finish everything up.
4- By the time I finish, I'll be nearly 35-36. Too late for a career change?
5- Do you, off the top of your head, know of any compnaies who take mature graduates for entry level jobs? Most of the companies that I have researched restrict entry level jobs to fresh graduates. Having said that, will I be classed as a fresh graduate?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
A.
I don't know huge amounts about this, so probably best take this with a pinch of salt and see what someone who is working/has worked as an actuary has got to say.
Bearing in mind that you would expect to qualify in ~4 years if you were on a graduate scheme, it doesn't seem as though spending 2 years gaining exemptions from MSc's is going to save you a lot of time in the long run, and you'll gain an extra two years experience of working as an actuary by starting on a graduate scheme straightaway. That's just my opinion though, I think the best thing to do would be to speak to a member of staff in the recruitment department at the kind of place you would like to work, and see what they would advise for someone in your position.
Thank you, Mark.
It makes a lot of sense.. gaining experience. I'd prefer to have to experience under the belt as well. Having said that, my only concern is that if I just gained CT exemptions.. it'll take me much more time to gain full qualifications.. whereas, with another year of devoted studies, I can get the hassle out of the way.
With greying hair, one tends to lose the aptitude for studies with work.
Would be interested in responses from those who are already in the field.
Thanks again.
It makes a lot of sense.. gaining experience. I'd prefer to have to experience under the belt as well. Having said that, my only concern is that if I just gained CT exemptions.. it'll take me much more time to gain full qualifications.. whereas, with another year of devoted studies, I can get the hassle out of the way.
With greying hair, one tends to lose the aptitude for studies with work.
Would be interested in responses from those who are already in the field.
Thanks again.
Original post by Amadeus
Folks,
I am potentially looking at a career change to Actuarial Science. Previously, I have done a post-grad degree with specialization in Finance. However, my work experience bears absolutely no semblance to my studies - which includes 5 years of retail management and 5 years of self employment.
Plan goes like this.
- Go to City or Heriot-watt to do two MSc's in actuarial science and management to gain maximum exemptions over two years. (radical or what?!?!)
- start on actuarial ladder.
I know the conventional wisdom is to do couple of CTs and look for a job. However, at my age (32), I can;t afford to lose any more time.
Now, the questions:
1- Having gained maximum number of exemptions and with no experience, where does one start on a job ladder? My hunch says bottom.. and I'm quite prepared for that. However, it would be nice to have some feedback from people in industry.
2- Which university has a better brand recognition in the industry? City or Heriot-watt?
3- Would you guys recommend spending two years to gain maximum exemptions? The idea is to be able to clear everything up by 40. If I start with a couple.. with a job, It could take me a lot longer to finish everything up.
4- By the time I finish, I'll be nearly 35-36. Too late for a career change?
5- Do you, off the top of your head, know of any compnaies who take mature graduates for entry level jobs? Most of the companies that I have researched restrict entry level jobs to fresh graduates. Having said that, will I be classed as a fresh graduate?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
A.
I am potentially looking at a career change to Actuarial Science. Previously, I have done a post-grad degree with specialization in Finance. However, my work experience bears absolutely no semblance to my studies - which includes 5 years of retail management and 5 years of self employment.
Plan goes like this.
- Go to City or Heriot-watt to do two MSc's in actuarial science and management to gain maximum exemptions over two years. (radical or what?!?!)
- start on actuarial ladder.
I know the conventional wisdom is to do couple of CTs and look for a job. However, at my age (32), I can;t afford to lose any more time.
Now, the questions:
1- Having gained maximum number of exemptions and with no experience, where does one start on a job ladder? My hunch says bottom.. and I'm quite prepared for that. However, it would be nice to have some feedback from people in industry.
2- Which university has a better brand recognition in the industry? City or Heriot-watt?
3- Would you guys recommend spending two years to gain maximum exemptions? The idea is to be able to clear everything up by 40. If I start with a couple.. with a job, It could take me a lot longer to finish everything up.
4- By the time I finish, I'll be nearly 35-36. Too late for a career change?
5- Do you, off the top of your head, know of any compnaies who take mature graduates for entry level jobs? Most of the companies that I have researched restrict entry level jobs to fresh graduates. Having said that, will I be classed as a fresh graduate?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
A.
1. If you get exemptions from a university course despite no experience you can still enter the industry despite your age! I know people who have qualified as Actuaries as late as 36! So from this, it could very well mean that age isn't a huge factor, bear in mind you've got a finance background, down some retail management, meaning your communication skills must be good to some degree, which is always useful in a role as an actuary (arguably one of the most important skills you need)
2. Tbh City and Heriot Watt are probably the two best universities in the UK which offer the degree, even better than LSE in an overall degree way including both masters and bachelors programme. Both are fine to get a job in industry and a very good one mind you, depends really what you look for! I am doing Actuarial science at HW and the actuarial department is very highly rated, and off the top of my head, there are at least 8 professors who teach who are qualified actuaries. like I said both are fine, your skill set and finance background combined with this should be a good mix when applying for jobs.
3. You could do an actuarial management degree which gains further exemptions, but if time is really in your concern, go for it, however if not, I wouldn't go for it! To do the later exemptions in a year is quite difficult, and getting all those exemptions would be a disadvantage compared to working in the industry while revising for more exemptions! I believe doing the exams such as SA/CA/ST whilst in the job is more valuable than gaining further exemptions, as don't believe this made up idea that the further exemptions you have, the bigger the chance of guaranteeing a job!
4. Like I said I know a guy who qualified at 36, now 40 and he recently moved from general insurance to becoming a risk manager at RMS, so I'm sure age is not much of a disadvantage as you think it is.
5. Im afraid I dont, but I can give you a few websites which mite help with this problem:
http://www.actuaries.org.uk/
http://www.insidecareers.co.uk/__802574d8004f01d1.nsf!opendatabase
Answer's in bold (I work in a general insurance actuarial consultancy)
Original post by Amadeus
Folks,
I am potentially looking at a career change to Actuarial Science. Previously, I have done a post-grad degree with specialization in Finance. However, my work experience bears absolutely no semblance to my studies - which includes 5 years of retail management and 5 years of self employment.
what precisely did you specialise in?
Plan goes like this.
- Go to City or Heriot-watt to do two MSc's in actuarial science and management to gain maximum exemptions over two years. (radical or what?!?!)
actually this is not a radical thing to do - plenty of people do it. Whether its the right thing to do is another matter
- start on actuarial ladder.
I know the conventional wisdom is to do couple of CTs and look for a job. However, at my age (32), I can;t afford to lose any more time.
If this is the conventional wisdom then it's ridiculous. Most people go into the profession with no exemptions at all (or maybe CT3 if they did a maths degree). Most places in both consultancy and industry will give you a study package consisting of days off, a budget for your materials/exam fees and bonuses on exam passes. The actuarial qualification is hard, you have to be in it for the long haul
Now, the questions:
1- Having gained maximum number of exemptions and with no experience, where does one start on a job ladder? My hunch says bottom.. and I'm quite prepared for that. However, it would be nice to have some feedback from people in industry.
I care much more about what the person can bring to the table than how many exams they have passed. Passing exams in your situation may show dedication but the sad fact is passing the exams does not make you a good actuary. There is no guarantee you will get a job after a masters
2- Which university has a better brand recognition in the industry? City or Heriot-watt?
Both are respected and there are very good people in my firm from both places. This is not something anyone would care about in the real world
3- Would you guys recommend spending two years to gain maximum exemptions? The idea is to be able to clear everything up by 40. If I start with a couple.. with a job, It could take me a lot longer to finish everything up.
No I would not recommend it, for the reasons I've noted above
4- By the time I finish, I'll be nearly 35-36. Too late for a career change?
No, its not too late, if you're good enough you will get the job. You will have to contend with the fact that most people will be younger than you (heck there are partners at my firm who are 34) but that shouldn't bother you. I certainly manage people who are older than me, but its never been an issue for either side
5- Do you, off the top of your head, know of any compnaies who take mature graduates for entry level jobs? Most of the companies that I have researched restrict entry level jobs to fresh graduates. Having said that, will I be classed as a fresh graduate?
I think you've got this wrong - no firm would require you to be fresh out of university but you might be asked to apply through the graduate programme
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
A.
I am potentially looking at a career change to Actuarial Science. Previously, I have done a post-grad degree with specialization in Finance. However, my work experience bears absolutely no semblance to my studies - which includes 5 years of retail management and 5 years of self employment.
what precisely did you specialise in?
Plan goes like this.
- Go to City or Heriot-watt to do two MSc's in actuarial science and management to gain maximum exemptions over two years. (radical or what?!?!)
actually this is not a radical thing to do - plenty of people do it. Whether its the right thing to do is another matter
- start on actuarial ladder.
I know the conventional wisdom is to do couple of CTs and look for a job. However, at my age (32), I can;t afford to lose any more time.
If this is the conventional wisdom then it's ridiculous. Most people go into the profession with no exemptions at all (or maybe CT3 if they did a maths degree). Most places in both consultancy and industry will give you a study package consisting of days off, a budget for your materials/exam fees and bonuses on exam passes. The actuarial qualification is hard, you have to be in it for the long haul
Now, the questions:
1- Having gained maximum number of exemptions and with no experience, where does one start on a job ladder? My hunch says bottom.. and I'm quite prepared for that. However, it would be nice to have some feedback from people in industry.
I care much more about what the person can bring to the table than how many exams they have passed. Passing exams in your situation may show dedication but the sad fact is passing the exams does not make you a good actuary. There is no guarantee you will get a job after a masters
2- Which university has a better brand recognition in the industry? City or Heriot-watt?
Both are respected and there are very good people in my firm from both places. This is not something anyone would care about in the real world
3- Would you guys recommend spending two years to gain maximum exemptions? The idea is to be able to clear everything up by 40. If I start with a couple.. with a job, It could take me a lot longer to finish everything up.
No I would not recommend it, for the reasons I've noted above
4- By the time I finish, I'll be nearly 35-36. Too late for a career change?
No, its not too late, if you're good enough you will get the job. You will have to contend with the fact that most people will be younger than you (heck there are partners at my firm who are 34) but that shouldn't bother you. I certainly manage people who are older than me, but its never been an issue for either side
5- Do you, off the top of your head, know of any compnaies who take mature graduates for entry level jobs? Most of the companies that I have researched restrict entry level jobs to fresh graduates. Having said that, will I be classed as a fresh graduate?
I think you've got this wrong - no firm would require you to be fresh out of university but you might be asked to apply through the graduate programme
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
A.
Thank you very much for your input, guys. Much appreciated!
One thing that you have kindly settled for me is that spending two years in studies is not the way to go. I'll be sure to pay heed to this advice.
Shamika! Would you be kind enough to elaborate on your second comment i.e. the plan is not radical.. plenty of people do it.. "whether it's the right to do is another matter." From your perspective, setting aside my employability and ceteris paribus, is it the right thing to do?
I've managed people much older than I am. Not averse to role reversal.
And lastly, I spoke with someone in a specialized actuarial recruitment agency who was of the view that people who change careers to this profession at my age are almost never able to go through graduate schemes. Graduate schemes, she opined, are for fresh students and not mature graduates. Cases such as mine, more often than not, find it hard to find a graduate scheme and have to either send in speculative CVs or go through recruitment agencies. She also said that, in my case, I'll have to start in a less-known company and then hope for a job-hop to a better and bigger name.
What do you think?
Again, many thanks for your help.
A.
One thing that you have kindly settled for me is that spending two years in studies is not the way to go. I'll be sure to pay heed to this advice.
Shamika! Would you be kind enough to elaborate on your second comment i.e. the plan is not radical.. plenty of people do it.. "whether it's the right to do is another matter." From your perspective, setting aside my employability and ceteris paribus, is it the right thing to do?
I've managed people much older than I am. Not averse to role reversal.
And lastly, I spoke with someone in a specialized actuarial recruitment agency who was of the view that people who change careers to this profession at my age are almost never able to go through graduate schemes. Graduate schemes, she opined, are for fresh students and not mature graduates. Cases such as mine, more often than not, find it hard to find a graduate scheme and have to either send in speculative CVs or go through recruitment agencies. She also said that, in my case, I'll have to start in a less-known company and then hope for a job-hop to a better and bigger name.
What do you think?
Again, many thanks for your help.
A.
Original post by Amadeus
And lastly, I spoke with someone in a specialized actuarial recruitment agency who was of the view that people who change careers to this profession at my age are almost never able to go through graduate schemes. Graduate schemes, she opined, are for fresh students and not mature graduates. Cases such as mine, more often than not, find it hard to find a graduate scheme and have to either send in speculative CVs or go through recruitment agencies. She also said that, in my case, I'll have to start in a less-known company and then hope for a job-hop to a better and bigger name.
What do you think?
Again, many thanks for your help.
A.
And lastly, I spoke with someone in a specialized actuarial recruitment agency who was of the view that people who change careers to this profession at my age are almost never able to go through graduate schemes. Graduate schemes, she opined, are for fresh students and not mature graduates. Cases such as mine, more often than not, find it hard to find a graduate scheme and have to either send in speculative CVs or go through recruitment agencies. She also said that, in my case, I'll have to start in a less-known company and then hope for a job-hop to a better and bigger name.
What do you think?
Again, many thanks for your help.
A.
ah, so the recruiter is saying that you should go through a recruiter rather than a means (grad scheme) that doesn't make her any money?
i'd take it with a small pinch of salt
Original post by Amadeus
Shamika! Would you be kind enough to elaborate on your second comment i.e. the plan is not radical.. plenty of people do it.. "whether it's the right to do is another matter." From your perspective, setting aside my employability and ceteris paribus, is it the right thing to do?
Shamika! Would you be kind enough to elaborate on your second comment i.e. the plan is not radical.. plenty of people do it.. "whether it's the right to do is another matter." From your perspective, setting aside my employability and ceteris paribus, is it the right thing to do?
I meant its not radical for people to spend lots of time and money to do a ton of masters to get the actuarial exemptions they need. I don't think its the right way to go for most people. For a start, if you were working you'd get paid and get bonuses for passing exams!
Its definitely fine for you to start work at any age and change career. If you have some relevant experience (it doesn't have to be actuarial), good places will recognise that and not make you start at the bottom. I had no GI experience but I started off as a manager in my new role - its more about what you can do than what you know.
Do not go via recruitment agencies unless you are coming through the experienced hire route. The only way you'll know which is the best route for you (experienced hire vs. graduate programmes) is to contact HR departments and let them know your background.
Good luck!
Hi guys,
I really found your conversation very useful and thank you for that! I hope to get a response from you guys as well and i hope to see my comment and reply to me because as I noticed you shared your ideas in 2011!
Well, I have done my degree in business management. Currently, I am doing my MSc in operational research. I would like to work as an actuary but I am not sure if I am eligible to apply for the graduate schemes. Do the firms prefer students with maths degree? Is it worth to try to find a job in this area? Is it better to start doing the professional qualification in actuarial (at BPP after I finish my MSc) and at the same time applying for jobs?
Thank you.
I really found your conversation very useful and thank you for that! I hope to get a response from you guys as well and i hope to see my comment and reply to me because as I noticed you shared your ideas in 2011!
Well, I have done my degree in business management. Currently, I am doing my MSc in operational research. I would like to work as an actuary but I am not sure if I am eligible to apply for the graduate schemes. Do the firms prefer students with maths degree? Is it worth to try to find a job in this area? Is it better to start doing the professional qualification in actuarial (at BPP after I finish my MSc) and at the same time applying for jobs?
Thank you.
Original post by zziippoo
Hi guys,
I really found your conversation very useful and thank you for that! I hope to get a response from you guys as well and i hope to see my comment and reply to me because as I noticed you shared your ideas in 2011!
Well, I have done my degree in business management. Currently, I am doing my MSc in operational research. I would like to work as an actuary but I am not sure if I am eligible to apply for the graduate schemes. Do the firms prefer students with maths degree? Is it worth to try to find a job in this area? Is it better to start doing the professional qualification in actuarial (at BPP after I finish my MSc) and at the same time applying for jobs?
Thank you.
I really found your conversation very useful and thank you for that! I hope to get a response from you guys as well and i hope to see my comment and reply to me because as I noticed you shared your ideas in 2011!
Well, I have done my degree in business management. Currently, I am doing my MSc in operational research. I would like to work as an actuary but I am not sure if I am eligible to apply for the graduate schemes. Do the firms prefer students with maths degree? Is it worth to try to find a job in this area? Is it better to start doing the professional qualification in actuarial (at BPP after I finish my MSc) and at the same time applying for jobs?
Thank you.
Apply - I'm not aware of any firm who restricts applications based on degree. You might want to emphasise the quantitative aspects of your degree though
Original post by shamika
Apply - I'm not aware of any firm who restricts applications based on degree. You might want to emphasise the quantitative aspects of your degree though
thank you very much for your reply. Could you please tell me if you know anyone with a non mathematics degree who applied and got a place? How normal is that?
Original post by zziippoo
thank you very much for your reply. Could you please tell me if you know anyone with a non mathematics degree who applied and got a place? How normal is that?
I think the majority don't to Maths degrees, but if it's not maths it'll be a science, engineering or Actiarial science
I wouldn't advise doing two Master's degrees. I can see why one might be a nice idea (a friend got six exemptions in year at Cass, or Imperial does a two-year one which covers most of the exams - it's part-time though so I think most people who do it are working at the same time), but you can't qualify in less than three years anyway as you need three years of experience in the industry.
You can pass all the exams in that time while working if you're really dedicated - my manager started at 28 with no exemptions, passed them all in 2 or 2.5 years just by working really hard (it helps that he's really smart, of course), and six years after joining on the graduate scheme he is now an associate member (like a partner, but he owns a stake in the company as well). I think one of the great things about the actuarial profession is how self-directed your career development seems to be - at least in my experience (at a medium-sized consultancy).
A lot of people in the profession have maths or finance-related degrees - like you! Showing that you've kept on top of what's going on in business and finance will help you, and also making it clear you've put the thought into your decision to make the move and that you've done your research.
In direct response to your questions:
1.) You would have to start at the bottom, but your experience in the working world would certainly help you with your working relationships and softer skills, and you could potentially rise quickly.
2.) I'd say City, myself, but I reckon the difference is pretty negligible. Not something to worry about in itself.
3.) I wouldn't say two years - maybe one, perhaps while applying for positions in the autumn (although you should bear in mind the risk that shamika mentioned). Either way, I'm sure you'd be able to impress upon employers your keenness to qualify quickly and contribute to the company.
4.) I don't think so! Someone else I know started off working in the post room of his company, then managed to become a trainee actuary, and he's a bit older than most of the other students. Admittedly it would probably be harder to go that route now, but with your degree background I don't see why you couldn't.
5.) I think smaller companies and consultancies would prooobably be more flexible with regards to entry requirements, but I recommend you contact HR departments.
EDIT: I feel I should mention, shamika is a manager, and I am a lowly trainee. About me: I've been working in a pensions consultancy for a year and a half now. I was 24 when I started and had no relevant experience and an extremely irrelevant degree. I took CT1 as a non-member which probably showed that I had the interest/commitment and helped me to get to AC. Of course, that was when I had to admit that I'd failed CT1 - but thankfully my other qualities shone through (or something like that) and they gave me a job anyway ...
P.S. Some dude at PwC once told me I'd "struggle" to get anywhere in looking for an actuarial position. Don't let one recruiter put a downer on your plans - they're not all after the same thing!
You can pass all the exams in that time while working if you're really dedicated - my manager started at 28 with no exemptions, passed them all in 2 or 2.5 years just by working really hard (it helps that he's really smart, of course), and six years after joining on the graduate scheme he is now an associate member (like a partner, but he owns a stake in the company as well). I think one of the great things about the actuarial profession is how self-directed your career development seems to be - at least in my experience (at a medium-sized consultancy).
A lot of people in the profession have maths or finance-related degrees - like you! Showing that you've kept on top of what's going on in business and finance will help you, and also making it clear you've put the thought into your decision to make the move and that you've done your research.
In direct response to your questions:
1.) You would have to start at the bottom, but your experience in the working world would certainly help you with your working relationships and softer skills, and you could potentially rise quickly.
2.) I'd say City, myself, but I reckon the difference is pretty negligible. Not something to worry about in itself.
3.) I wouldn't say two years - maybe one, perhaps while applying for positions in the autumn (although you should bear in mind the risk that shamika mentioned). Either way, I'm sure you'd be able to impress upon employers your keenness to qualify quickly and contribute to the company.
4.) I don't think so! Someone else I know started off working in the post room of his company, then managed to become a trainee actuary, and he's a bit older than most of the other students. Admittedly it would probably be harder to go that route now, but with your degree background I don't see why you couldn't.
5.) I think smaller companies and consultancies would prooobably be more flexible with regards to entry requirements, but I recommend you contact HR departments.
EDIT: I feel I should mention, shamika is a manager, and I am a lowly trainee. About me: I've been working in a pensions consultancy for a year and a half now. I was 24 when I started and had no relevant experience and an extremely irrelevant degree. I took CT1 as a non-member which probably showed that I had the interest/commitment and helped me to get to AC. Of course, that was when I had to admit that I'd failed CT1 - but thankfully my other qualities shone through (or something like that) and they gave me a job anyway ...
P.S. Some dude at PwC once told me I'd "struggle" to get anywhere in looking for an actuarial position. Don't let one recruiter put a downer on your plans - they're not all after the same thing!
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by Jelkin
P.S. Some dude at PwC once told me I'd "struggle" to get anywhere in looking for an actuarial position.
P.S. Some dude at PwC once told me I'd "struggle" to get anywhere in looking for an actuarial position.
I think I know who you mean
He goes to a lot of undergrad events.
Original post by Jelkin
P.S. Some dude at PwC once told me I'd "struggle" to get anywhere in looking for an actuarial position. Don't let one recruiter put a downer on your plans - they're not all after the same thing!
This guy sounds like an absolute douchebag. I've heard some similar stuff at work, but it's generally from pretentious snoots who want to put others down to feel better about themselves.
Original post by wanderlust.xx
This guy sounds like an absolute douchebag. I've heard some similar stuff at work, but it's generally from pretentious snoots who want to put others down to feel better about themselves.
Hah, I don't really have anything against him - I think he was just misinformed. It's a shame he put me off, but then, I'm sure he would have preferred to be positive and tell me I can do anything I want to do. He probably thought he was helping me to be realistic. Thankfully I haven't come across anyone snooty in my job ... I'm sure they would keep their opinions to themselves, which is fine by me
CT8 mock exam today. Excellent performance Jelks
P.S. Unashamedly fancy and want to be both of them simultaneously.
Plus, her ukulele is better than mine.
(edited 11 years ago)
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