WHY DID YOU BECOME AN ACTUARY?
I decided to become an actuary during my junior year in college, when an alumna I knew came back to the school to discuss her experience as an actuarial student. The rigors of studying for exams intrigued me, so I decided to give it a shot.
DESCRIBE A CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME.
Early in my career I always had a hard time delegating. I always thought that delegating would be seen as a sign that I couldn’t do the work myself. The truth is, it’s just the opposite: Delegating is a powerful skill that shows you can prioritize work effectively. I finally broke my habit when I realized I had too much work to do and I had to get others involved.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT BEING AN ACTUARY?
While I enjoy many aspects of my job, what I enjoy most is the interaction with other actuaries—discussing issues, hearing different sides of an issue, and debating solutions. Working with other actuaries is a joy; I often hear perspectives that help me well beyond the task at hand.
SHARE SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF.
I believe it’s important to stay active, so when I’m not in the office, I like to go on bike rides. I have a road bike and when the weather isn’t too bad—I live in the Northeast—I’ll go out on the bike paths near my house. I also like to travel to other areas and explore bike routes.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE WITH YOUNG ACTUARIES?
To any actuaries just starting out in their careers, I suggest you sit down with more-senior actuaries and talk to them. Find out how they approached things like their careers, exams, and family/work balance. It’s a great way to get to know other actuaries, and you may come up with different ways to address your challenges.
