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Actuarial Science

Hypnotik1

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Joined
May 2, 2004
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Anyone know anyone who does this?

My GF is really pushing me to major in it and it sounds pretty cool....but I dont know if this career sounds all that steady....But from what research ive done on it....it pays really well (avg salary 100k) and is one of the biggest growing careers out there....i heard though the certification exam is a bitch though...

I want something technical....I thought about engineering....It makes the most sense for me as I just got out of the Air Force and have plenty of experience but I dont know if i wanna do that the rest of my life....Its part of the reason i got out..

Can anyone enlighten me?

For those who dont know....I hadnt heard of it until my GF brought it up

Actuarial science is the discipline that applies mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk in the insurance and finance industries.

Actuarial science includes a number of interrelating subjects, including probability and statistics, finance, and economics. Historically, actuarial science used deterministic models in the construction of tables and premiums. The science has gone through revolutionary changes during the last 30 years due to the proliferation of high speed computers and the synergy of stochastic actuarial models with modern financial theory (Frees 1990).

Many universities have undergraduate and graduate degree programs in actuarial science. In 2002, a Wall Street Journal survey on the best jobs in the United States listed "actuary" as the second best job (Lee 2002).
 
I started out in architecture, then went through chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering for a bit and now im trying out mathematics with an actuarial science major

if youre in your undergrad i wouldnt really get specific as you could easily be a math major and transfer into it easily later.
math majors are becoming more and more valued and fuck everyone who thinks you can only become a teacher. math majors make the highest grades on lsats and business tests.

and i just flat out hate engineering.

but accounting and finance classes are a bitch. not hard, just boring and annoying.
but then again im the guy in the math classes that has a 100 test average but still makes a b cause i dont ever cometo class or do my homework. its bullshit.
 
Actuarial Science is ideal for two types of people:

1. Those who are too stupid to complete a regular pure mathematics program.

2. Those who wish to make much more money than someone who completes a regular pure mathematics program.
 
I would talk to an advisor or career counselor at my university. I mean it's cool that your GF is encouraging you to do something with your life, but ultimately you have to find a major that interests you, not her.

Also, I learned a long time ago not to look at career salaries. Regardless of how much money you make, if you hate your job you'll be miserable. Currently I'm giving up a job with 6-figure potential so I can go to grad school and follow my true passion. Sure I'll be making less money, but I'd rather do what I love than do what everyone else thinks I should do.

That's just my 2 cents.
 
It sounds pretty interesting to me, but I really like finance so I could be biased. If I had mad quant skills I would probably pursue it or something similar. But beware, high-paying jobs in finance, insurance, etc come at a price. My Dad did that shit and it totally consumed his life; 80+hrs a week is pretty much standard in a lot of those positions. You can certainly make a lot of money, but make sure it's what you want to do before you commit to it.
 
My GF is really pushing me to major in it and it sounds pretty cool....but I dont know if this career sounds all that steady....But from what research ive done on it....it pays really well (avg salary 100k) and is one of the biggest growing careers out there....i heard though the certification exam is a bitch though...

I have a friend who opted to become an actuary coming out of undergrad. I would do what he did and go with a math major, entering the field via certification. In addition to presenting greater theoretical interest and versatility...well, if a math major is too hard and/or boring, then you wouldn't like becoming an actuary. :)

ebola
 
Yea thanks everyone....

Pretty much what i gather is from the last post...

Doesnt sound like me....But thanks for the info :)
 
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