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Angelica
Student
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As a female high school senior intending on majoring in applied mathematics with a concentration in actuarial science, what obstacles can I expect in the classroom and job market, and what steps would best prepare me for a future as an actuary??
I am a high school senior graduating in May, and I am enrolled at Westfield State University for the 2025 Fall semester. I am confident in my major selection, but I am interested in professional insight.
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4 answers
Christine Tompkins
Data Analyst
11
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Christine’s Answer
That's wonderful that you are confident in your career path! That alone can give you a leg up in terms of success.
The obstacles you will face in the classroom will be highly dependent on your strengths and weaknesses, but generally speaking the first year will likely be the hardest in terms of pace and rigor. Yes, the concepts become more challenging as you get into higher level mathematics/statistics, but the first year you will likely be with pre-med and engineering students. This isn't necessarily true of all universities or all professors, but many use freshman year math/science courses to "weed out" students from those programs in particular, so that year can be especially tough. By sticking with it past that year, you'll find that pace and rigor won't necessarily dissipate, but the attitudes of the students and professors will be much more positive.
My best advice is to use office hours with your professors every week - even if you don't have questions about the chapter or the assignment! They are a great resource for you to ask questions about anything related to the subject, and just by showing your genuine interest, they'll be even more likely to help you out. Also, if you get a poor grade on an assignment or exam, bring it to the professor's office hours - not to complain about your grade, but to help you understand why you missed the problem. In math/science, professors tend to be extra keen on helping students understand, and I've even had professors find that my solution was correct but I just did a little arithmetic wrong and give me partial credit back...just from using office hours. When you show a genuine interest in learning, professors really appreciate that because you're sharing in their passion.
Now not all professors are like that (I've had some that are downright rude when I was asking for help - they told me to "google it"), but 90% of the time, they've been very supportive and helpful.
The obstacles you will face in the classroom will be highly dependent on your strengths and weaknesses, but generally speaking the first year will likely be the hardest in terms of pace and rigor. Yes, the concepts become more challenging as you get into higher level mathematics/statistics, but the first year you will likely be with pre-med and engineering students. This isn't necessarily true of all universities or all professors, but many use freshman year math/science courses to "weed out" students from those programs in particular, so that year can be especially tough. By sticking with it past that year, you'll find that pace and rigor won't necessarily dissipate, but the attitudes of the students and professors will be much more positive.
My best advice is to use office hours with your professors every week - even if you don't have questions about the chapter or the assignment! They are a great resource for you to ask questions about anything related to the subject, and just by showing your genuine interest, they'll be even more likely to help you out. Also, if you get a poor grade on an assignment or exam, bring it to the professor's office hours - not to complain about your grade, but to help you understand why you missed the problem. In math/science, professors tend to be extra keen on helping students understand, and I've even had professors find that my solution was correct but I just did a little arithmetic wrong and give me partial credit back...just from using office hours. When you show a genuine interest in learning, professors really appreciate that because you're sharing in their passion.
Now not all professors are like that (I've had some that are downright rude when I was asking for help - they told me to "google it"), but 90% of the time, they've been very supportive and helpful.
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
520
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Hello, Angelica,
As you pursue a career in actuarial science, you’ll face challenges in both your coursework and the job market. The coursework will be demanding, with subjects like math, statistics, and finance requiring deep focus, and the actuarial exams are tough, needing extensive preparation. It's normal to struggle with exams at first, but staying committed and pushing through is key.
The job market is competitive, so gaining hands-on experience through internships or volunteer work will make a difference. Many employers also look for skills in Excel, Python, and R, so it's a good idea to start learning those early.
To set yourself up for success, focus on mastering foundational subjects like calculus and statistics, and aim to pass at least one actuarial exam while you're still in college. Internships are essential, so try to secure one early in your academic journey. Networking is also crucial, whether it’s through LinkedIn or at industry events, so be proactive about making connections. Building technical skills in programming and data analysis will help you stand out as well. Also, don’t underestimate the power of networking. Whether it’s through LinkedIn, industry events, or even casual meetups, making connections will open a lot of opportunities.
For studying, methods like active recall and spaced repetition are great for retaining critical information. You might also want to form study groups, and don't hesitate to ask professors for guidance when needed. As you look ahead to your career, make sure to craft a strong LinkedIn profile, join actuarial clubs, and try to find a mentor who can guide you along the way. When it comes to internships, don't just look at the typical insurance companies—try exploring finance, consulting, or even tech. You never know where you’ll find your niche.
Consider looking for internships in different industries, such as insurance and finance, to explore what interests you most. Stay up to date with the latest trends in the field, and make use of resources like Coaching Actuaries, The Infinite Actuary, and ACTEX Learning to help with your exam prep. Sites like Coursera and Udemy, Khan Academy, CodeCademy are great for sharpening your programming skills.
The road to becoming an actuary can be challenging, but with hard work, patience, and a proactive mindset, you’ll be on your way to a successful and rewarding career.
Good luck, and keep pushing forward!
As you pursue a career in actuarial science, you’ll face challenges in both your coursework and the job market. The coursework will be demanding, with subjects like math, statistics, and finance requiring deep focus, and the actuarial exams are tough, needing extensive preparation. It's normal to struggle with exams at first, but staying committed and pushing through is key.
The job market is competitive, so gaining hands-on experience through internships or volunteer work will make a difference. Many employers also look for skills in Excel, Python, and R, so it's a good idea to start learning those early.
To set yourself up for success, focus on mastering foundational subjects like calculus and statistics, and aim to pass at least one actuarial exam while you're still in college. Internships are essential, so try to secure one early in your academic journey. Networking is also crucial, whether it’s through LinkedIn or at industry events, so be proactive about making connections. Building technical skills in programming and data analysis will help you stand out as well. Also, don’t underestimate the power of networking. Whether it’s through LinkedIn, industry events, or even casual meetups, making connections will open a lot of opportunities.
For studying, methods like active recall and spaced repetition are great for retaining critical information. You might also want to form study groups, and don't hesitate to ask professors for guidance when needed. As you look ahead to your career, make sure to craft a strong LinkedIn profile, join actuarial clubs, and try to find a mentor who can guide you along the way. When it comes to internships, don't just look at the typical insurance companies—try exploring finance, consulting, or even tech. You never know where you’ll find your niche.
Consider looking for internships in different industries, such as insurance and finance, to explore what interests you most. Stay up to date with the latest trends in the field, and make use of resources like Coaching Actuaries, The Infinite Actuary, and ACTEX Learning to help with your exam prep. Sites like Coursera and Udemy, Khan Academy, CodeCademy are great for sharpening your programming skills.
The road to becoming an actuary can be challenging, but with hard work, patience, and a proactive mindset, you’ll be on your way to a successful and rewarding career.
Good luck, and keep pushing forward!
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
226
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
In your case, you will be entering the actuary job market in quite a few years in the future. Hence, we should focus on the challenge in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and, possibly, a master’s degree in statistics/actuary science. In some colleges, you may be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in statistics/actuary science.
The immediate question would be your current competency and proficiency in mathematics. Preferably, you should be taking AP Calculus AB/BC in your senior year, which would be good preparation for your upcoming college endeavor. Otherwise, you should stay focused on building a strong background in mathematics in your freshman and sophomore year.
The job market is fluid. We need to be flexible when we first enter the job market. And this is the challenge.
The immediate question would be your current competency and proficiency in mathematics. Preferably, you should be taking AP Calculus AB/BC in your senior year, which would be good preparation for your upcoming college endeavor. Otherwise, you should stay focused on building a strong background in mathematics in your freshman and sophomore year.
The job market is fluid. We need to be flexible when we first enter the job market. And this is the challenge.
Donna Weinstein
actuary
20
Answers
Potomac, Maryland
Updated
Donna’s Answer
The answers you received already this website give sound advice and address the obstacles in a thoughtful and clear way. I didn't know I would become an actuary until I graduated with a B. A. in mathematics and political science and I became attracted to the field because of my love of math, desire for a less mainstream job, and knowing that to be professionally accredited would require further study and crazy as it sounds, studying for exams. I am a life learner type (and this is continuing through my retirement years). This served me well as the exams are difficult and passing rates low. So, being a diligent undergrad, not getting discouraged when things may be rougher than you expect, and seeking help from professors or teaching assistants are very important. My first university calculus exam and my first advanced math course sobered me quite a bit. Persistance in figuring out how to learn in a very different environment from high school are skills that will serve you well in your college and professional life.
When I graduated from with my B.A. I wanted to keep my options open for going on to grad school. I was attracted by the fact that to become a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries would require passing exams and a commitment to study. I suggest you go to one of the following websites soa.org and casact.org to see what the requirements currently are for becoming professionally accredited as well as the types of careers actuaries often choose. The first focuses on careers in life insurance, health insurance and retirement programs. The second focuses on property and casualty insurance. Both deal with the general topic of risk management. There are many paths you can follow, so be open-minded and try different things through internships and talking to those in the profession.
Taking math, stat, accounting, economics and business courses will be very helpful, as well as studying for and taking one or more actuarial exams while an undergraduate. It sounds like Westfield State has actuarial courses and those will be of great benefit to you as through them you will gain an understanding of the profession and the skill set required. I worked in as a pension consulting actuary during my 40 year career and found language skills and people skills also to be very important.
Good luck in finishing up your high school experience and at college.
When I graduated from with my B.A. I wanted to keep my options open for going on to grad school. I was attracted by the fact that to become a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries would require passing exams and a commitment to study. I suggest you go to one of the following websites soa.org and casact.org to see what the requirements currently are for becoming professionally accredited as well as the types of careers actuaries often choose. The first focuses on careers in life insurance, health insurance and retirement programs. The second focuses on property and casualty insurance. Both deal with the general topic of risk management. There are many paths you can follow, so be open-minded and try different things through internships and talking to those in the profession.
Taking math, stat, accounting, economics and business courses will be very helpful, as well as studying for and taking one or more actuarial exams while an undergraduate. It sounds like Westfield State has actuarial courses and those will be of great benefit to you as through them you will gain an understanding of the profession and the skill set required. I worked in as a pension consulting actuary during my 40 year career and found language skills and people skills also to be very important.
Good luck in finishing up your high school experience and at college.