Anybody know anything about Actuaries??

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I think I wanna become an actuary. Anybody here an actuary or know alot about it? I heard that you still take tests after you get hired? And I know I need all kionds of math to become one, but what kinds of math do they actually use once they get a job? Any other info too?
Thanks

I once interviewed for a job as an actuary. I was invited for a second interview, and finally lost to another applicant strictly for reasons of personal chemistry. They told me the job required no specialized knowledge and that they would train me on the job, which would take several months. I suppose knowing a little about probability calculus can't hurt, though.

Hi Bonez,

I am a US casualty actuary. While the details of the qualification requirements have changed quite a bit over the years, the essence is the same. There is a series of examinations, usually lasting several years, plus courses in professionalism and ethics, followed by post-qualification continuing eduaction. It is a serious commitment, but for those who persevere a rewarding field - actuaries are rarely unemployed and pay is excellent in most companies.

With a self-study examination program, heavy-duty maths and systemic analysis, and a requirement for copious memorisation and attention to detail, I found this to be an ideal profession and have found it to be a good field for this Aspie to pursue. I work in the actuarial software industry, which is as close to an ideal job as I can get.

bonez, I don't know where you are based, so I'll assume you are in the US. I'm from the UK.

In the UK you need to take about 14 exams to qualify, and the first half of these are mostly maths exams. High-flyers might pass all 14 in 3 to 4 years; I think the average is about 6 years. They are supposedly more difficult than your average university exam in that (i) there's more to learn (ii) you usually need to come in the top 50-60% to pass them (i.e., there's not a pass mark).

I have it on good authority that there are many qualified actuaries who can get by having forgotten about 95% of the stuff covered in these maths exams. Some will need to know more of the stuff than others though. (I imagine software developers like melissa would need to know more than most.)

If you want to find out a bit of what these exams are like, you could try a degree course that contains some of the subjects. You could probably find some lecture slides on the net.

Btw, it's only in the last 20 years or so that companies in the UK have insisted on recruiting graduates. Before that, companies in the UK would take on trainees straight from school, just like accountancy firms used to. As for what degree you'd need, it wouldn't need to be in maths, but it would probably help to do something scientific- or economics-based.

sounds like the CPA here, although they only have to take 7 exams... and they don't have to know as much statistics...