The actuarial profession has become extremely competitive. I know many impressive candidates who are struggling to land an entry level role or their dream job. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many aspiring actuaries and hiring my own team. I hope this blog helps you identify how to effectively …
If you’ve started down the path to becoming an actuary, then you likely know by now that you’ll need to pass a series of exams to become fully licensed. This is arguably the most challenging aspect of the profession. It takes a huge investment of time and sacrifices to pass actuarial exams. It took me …
Intrigued by the InsurTech world? Many start-ups offer exciting perks like unlimited vacation and free lunch while claiming to revolutionize the archaic insurance industry. What’s it really like to work for these companies? Does it live up to the hype? Initially, I was skeptical. I started my career at a large and well-established US insurance …
By Dave Kester, President and Owner of Coaching Actuaries There’s a story that some of you may have heard before, especially if you are familiar with the Bible. The story goes that God promised Abraham, a man who lived a long time ago, that he would have many children. However, Abraham was getting old, and …
I am so passionate about leadership. Both as an athlete and in the corporate world, I’ve had opportunities to lead teams. For me, the experience has been humbling and challenging, yet so rewarding. As I was gearing up for a recent job change, I wanted to prepare and equip my team for the journey ahead. …
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many options available to actuaries. Now the opportunities are practically endless! Actuaries are needed anywhere there is risk and problems to be solved through data analytics – which is EVERYWHERE! Given this and the increased flexibility that remote work has provided, you can find actuaries in nearly every …
At 16 years old, I moved 800 miles from home to live with a family I’d never met before. I left friends, family and the only house I’d ever known in pursuit of a dream. From a young age, all I ever wanted was to attend Stanford University. In addition to the academic excellence, I …
I was recently asked to share lessons I’ve learned with some student athletes at Ohio State. After reflecting, I decided to turn this topic into my next blog post in hopes that it might encourage others in whatever they are walking through. Here are some lessons the Lord has been teaching me as I’ve journeyed …
To become fully licensed, an actuary must pass a series of exams which can take years to accomplish. Unlike high school or college, you can’t just “cram” for an actuarial exam over a weekend. Most require HUNDREDS of hours of preparation. Therefore, the last month before exams is considered “crunch time” for an actuary. These …
So what exactly does an actuary do each day? If you ask what a “typical” day looks like, most actuaries will tell you there isn’t one! Due to the dynamic nature of our work, actuaries must constantly adapt to changing priorities. Plus, the type of work can vary significantly based on the role, company and …