14:46 I'm currently getting a master's degree in actuarial science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln because I already have a bachelor's degree in physics and it costs less to finish in 2 years instead of 4. I think a master's degree looks better than a bachelor's, but it probably doesn't make much of a difference. What's important to an employer is exams passed, communication & technical skills, and having a good attitude.
I'm not entirely sure since my expertise is mainly in Canada and the USA. You might want to check with local actuarial societies or your school’s guidance on registration for exams. Good luck with your studies!
It sounds like you're looking to get started with study materials! I'd recommend checking out the Actuarial Bookstore or ACTEX for study guides-they’re trusted sources for Exam P and FM materials. Plus, the Society of Actuaries’ website has free sample questions to get you started. Good luck, and feel free to ask if you need any more tips!
I am a Statistics Master's student from South Africa, I need two signatures to register for Actuarial science Exams but my problem is that one of the signatures needs to be from an actuary that has known me for at least a year. How can I get around this?
Unfortunately I'm not sure. I suggest double checking on this requirement as it would be a difficult requirement for any aspiring actuary to meet if they're just starting their actuarial exams. If you haven't already found an answer, I suggest asking someone else that has recently started writing exams in South Africa. You could also create a post on the actuary reddit forum for other advice.
I’m an actuarial student from Brazil, currently in my last year of college, starting now to get more into the SOA actuarial path, one of my big questions are how is the market for foreign actuaries specially bc I haven’t pass any exams yet and all my internships were in my country. Career outside my country is my target but I don’t know if should I start a master or MBA while I take the exams, just for not to be at home studying for SOA no working
I'm not sure if you'll have trouble getting a job in the U.S. and/or Canada since you're from outside those countries. I'd suggest going to the Reddit Actuary Subforum and asking there so you can get a bunch of different opinions/perspectives. There may even be a few people that have done exactly what you want to do!
Since you went to University of Waterloo (or generally) what's the purpose/advantage of an Acturial Degree, rather than doing something such as Mathematical Finance or even FARM and then writing the Actuary exams?
Hey Keve - this post explains why I don't typically recommend majoring in AS but it also gives some reasons why you may want to: etchedactuarial.com/actuarial-science/
How much do you think having a few personal actuarial projects (ratemaking, reserving) would help towards getting interviews for someone that has a few exams but no internship?
It can't hurt, but in my opinion it's difficult view these sorts of projects as beneficial because they have to be so simplified when you're just doing it on your own. For example, actuaries don't calculate reserves or prices using Excel alone. We have expensive software that does most of the calculations for us and the calculations are very complex. And even if you did the project, how can an employer be sure that you did things correctly (how would you even know you did it correctly)? There's really no way to show them. So personally I doubt it would help much, but I may be wrong. These are just my thoughts. Again, I don't think it would negatively affect you in any way though.
Excel, vba or other coding languages. This post goes into detail about everything someone entering the actuarial career should know about Excel: etchedactuarial.com/actuaries-excel/ The TIA technical skills course is also a great resource to learn Excel, vba and other technical skills.
Hey, I love the video. Can you please tell me how many exams I have to pass before I can qualify for an Actuarial Internship? Along with that what is the average salary for interns?
Hi Hasan - 1-2 exams would likely be enough to get an internship. There may be a few out there that would take you with 0 exams. Average salary would likely be somewhere between 25 to 35 per hour.
Recent subscriber, really enjoy your vids!
I watch your videos when I need to feel inspired after feeling overwhelmed with home work.
14:46 I'm currently getting a master's degree in actuarial science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln because I already have a bachelor's degree in physics and it costs less to finish in 2 years instead of 4. I think a master's degree looks better than a bachelor's, but it probably doesn't make much of a difference. What's important to an employer is exams passed, communication & technical skills, and having a good attitude.
Hi Spencer, I have a degree in physics as well and plan on changing to actuarial. How is it going with you?
How can l register for exams lm studying bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science in Zimbabwe but l want to write some of the exams whilst at school
I'm not entirely sure since my expertise is mainly in Canada and the USA. You might want to check with local actuarial societies or your school’s guidance on registration for exams. Good luck with your studies!
Where can l get material to read and study for exams
It sounds like you're looking to get started with study materials! I'd recommend checking out the Actuarial Bookstore or ACTEX for study guides-they’re trusted sources for Exam P and FM materials. Plus, the Society of Actuaries’ website has free sample questions to get you started. Good luck, and feel free to ask if you need any more tips!
I am a Statistics Master's student from South Africa, I need two signatures to register for Actuarial science Exams but my problem is that one of the signatures needs to be from an actuary that has known me for at least a year. How can I get around this?
Unfortunately I'm not sure. I suggest double checking on this requirement as it would be a difficult requirement for any aspiring actuary to meet if they're just starting their actuarial exams. If you haven't already found an answer, I suggest asking someone else that has recently started writing exams in South Africa. You could also create a post on the actuary reddit forum for other advice.
I’m an actuarial student from Brazil, currently in my last year of college, starting now to get more into the SOA actuarial path, one of my big questions are how is the market for foreign actuaries specially bc I haven’t pass any exams yet and all my internships were in my country. Career outside my country is my target but I don’t know if should I start a master or MBA while I take the exams, just for not to be at home studying for SOA no working
I'm not sure if you'll have trouble getting a job in the U.S. and/or Canada since you're from outside those countries. I'd suggest going to the Reddit Actuary Subforum and asking there so you can get a bunch of different opinions/perspectives. There may even be a few people that have done exactly what you want to do!
Since you went to University of Waterloo (or generally) what's the purpose/advantage of an Acturial Degree, rather than doing something such as Mathematical Finance or even FARM and then writing the Actuary exams?
Hey Keve - this post explains why I don't typically recommend majoring in AS but it also gives some reasons why you may want to: etchedactuarial.com/actuarial-science/
How much do you think having a few personal actuarial projects (ratemaking, reserving) would help towards getting interviews for someone that has a few exams but no internship?
It can't hurt, but in my opinion it's difficult view these sorts of projects as beneficial because they have to be so simplified when you're just doing it on your own. For example, actuaries don't calculate reserves or prices using Excel alone. We have expensive software that does most of the calculations for us and the calculations are very complex.
And even if you did the project, how can an employer be sure that you did things correctly (how would you even know you did it correctly)? There's really no way to show them.
So personally I doubt it would help much, but I may be wrong. These are just my thoughts. Again, I don't think it would negatively affect you in any way though.
15:08 what technical skills?
Excel, vba or other coding languages. This post goes into detail about everything someone entering the actuarial career should know about Excel: etchedactuarial.com/actuaries-excel/
The TIA technical skills course is also a great resource to learn Excel, vba and other technical skills.
Hey, I love the video. Can you please tell me how many exams I have to pass before I can qualify for an Actuarial Internship? Along with that what is the average salary for interns?
Hi Hasan - 1-2 exams would likely be enough to get an internship. There may be a few out there that would take you with 0 exams. Average salary would likely be somewhere between 25 to 35 per hour.
When we say 1-2 exams, do we mean like exam P and FM? As in the preliminary exams?
yup!
Alright, thank you so much.
P.S. I love all your videos, they've been a huge help!
Thank you!! I appreciate it, and glad they've helped :)