Any actuarys? (Or Maths degree folk)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hxc
  • Start date Start date

Hxc

Hxc

Hxc

Soldato
Joined
29 Oct 2004
Posts
12,501
Location
London
I'm unsure if that plural is correct, but you know, the point still stands.

I'm 17, currently in sixth form progressing through my first year and doing well, studying Maths, Computing A2, Physics and Geography. I did Computing AS over year 10 and 11 and got a very high A grade (11 UMS dropped in total), and am predicted all As in my AS levels, with geography being the sole concern as I don't enjoy it, and am honestly not that good at it. In the second year, I will be doing AS Further Maths, as it was not offered this year.

I've been thinking about the future and University is a definite thing; I'm aiming toward Cambridge, although due to a lack of extra curicular activities I may have to step that down somewhat. Maths is the planned course, as quite simply, I love it. It's sad I know, but I seriously enjoy doing maths, and want to keep doing it!

So I was looking around at possible career paths, and Actuary came up, and although lots of people seem to call it dull, it seems like something I could do, and there is definitely a strong possibility for a very good wage; something I would very much like!

Is anyone around here an actuary and could give an insight of the day to day work, and what you think of the job etc?

Also, what other sort of thing could I go into from a Maths degree? I've been looking up the prospects, but I always like to hear real life stories and the like.

Cheers
 
jesus your 17 and want to be an actuary, man I'd say go an have a few beers and let loose for a bit. There's nothing wrong with liking maths, and if you do (and your decent at it) then you'll probably end up following it into postgrad research. If you want money the easiest way (was) finance and a quant job. TBH insurance and actuary work is to maths, as is fixing a problem in word is to programming.
 
haha, I know it might sound a bit odd. I've got a great social life and definitely have my fair share of beers and the like, it's just a thought for the future :)
 
There's loads of jobs you can get with a Maths degree, especially things like investment banking.

Actuary + Pensions = very very boring

That's coming from someone who's hopefully gonna be a tax accountant! haha
 
The Management Accountant next door to me graduated in Maths from Kings University a good 10 or so years ago with a 2:2.

I reckon he's got a pretty good life. He basically forecasts the whole year and gets rewarded for it in more than just a salary (although I reckon the industry that we're in helps - oil & gas). He started off in the aerospace industry but found that it wasn't for him.

Basically what I'm trying to say is, a Maths degree will get you any Financial job. Don't refine yourself too early until you've even had experience in the role.
 
I did a maths degree and ended up as a software developer.

Things like accountancy and actuarial work sounded really boring and, as I was into computers and had done hobby developing for several years, the idea of a job as a developer appealed to me a lot more.

Probably could have earned more if I'd gone into finance, but I certainly don't do too badly!
 
I work for an actuary in an insurance company. He basically does statistics and analysis, although they'd titled him Research and Development.

Mostly it includes market analysis, profit forecasting and risk analysis over set demographics. The company will use his work to decide which people to target, what prices to set and work out how much they expect to be bringing in on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

My job is to basically do the easy bits, and learn everything he knows as i go along (i dont have any qualifications. when i started i was basically cutting and pasting his work into brightly coloured spreadsheets for the dense managers to understand).

It is pretty interesting, if you're interested in maths and statistics. I'll be honest, i'm not, and a lot of the time i'm quite bored... but some of the stuff i do i find interesting every now and then, so i can imagine if i was qualified, interested in the subject and most importantly, paid as much as he is, then i'd be happy with it!
He earns a small fortune. I couldnt guess how much, but put it this way... everytime we move offices (frequently), he buys a new flat near the new building.
 
I was the same as you. Saw Actuary and thought "nice, really well paid (£40,000 in 1989) plus you can go and work in Australia without retraining :D"

Did my A level maths, Further Maths and Maths degree (Nottingham) but ended up becoming a Management Accountant and now a director.

Decided Actuary was just too dull for my liking. My point is, don;t make your mind up yet. Your maths degree will open lots of doors for you and you have time to decide what you want to do later.
 
Mind is definitely not made up! It's just something I've seen and thought looked a possibility.

Accountancy is another option indeed, I do want something with very strong prospects for progresion, and the possibility to one day open my own business from it, and I am aware that is definitely available with such work.

I definitely do not want to work in anything like programming or development, however.
 
Hxc said:
I'm aiming toward Cambridge, although due to a lack of extra curicular activities I may have to step that down somewhat.
Click to expand...
Please don't worry about things like that. The admission system aims to pick out the most academically talented - if you're enjoying A-Level maths & further maths, and not finding them taxing, you should definitely apply. 99.9% of the offer decision is based on your interview/test performance.

As for career choices after a degree in Maths - well the list is very long. Actuarial work is just one area.
 
w11tho said:
Please don't worry about things like that. The admission system aims to pick out the most academically talented - if you're enjoying A-Level maths & further maths, and not finding them taxing, you should definitely apply. 99.9% of the offer decision is based on your interview/test performance.
Click to expand...

See this is where I get confused. By my friend who studies philosophy there, what you say is true, admission is based on achievement and whether they want to teach you as a person. Yet the sixth form bangs on about how it's critical that you do such and such to prove you have such and such qualities.
 
Hi Hxc, I too found the actuarial profession while studying A levels, i'm currently a final year student studying Economics and Actuarial sciences.
My advice would be to study what interests you most, don't focus too much on what course would let you get a certain job as skills gained from study are transferable. As long as you enjoy what you study i'm sure you'll do well :)
 
w11tho said:
Please don't worry about things like that. The admission system aims to pick out the most academically talented - if you're enjoying A-Level maths & further maths, and not finding them taxing, you should definitely apply. 99.9% of the offer decision is based on your interview/test performance.

As for career choices after a degree in Maths - well the list is very long. Actuarial work is just one area.
Click to expand...

I'd never EVER recommend anyone to touch Oxbirdge with a barge pole, in fact not even with a barge pole.

This is balls "admission system aims to pick out the most academically talented"

Go for somewhere normall but excellent Bath, Bristol or Warwick all easily as good as Oxbirdge for maths, plus none of the pretenious idiots
 
dangerstat said:
I'd never EVER recommend anyone to touch Oxbirdge with a barge pole, in fact not even with a barge pole.

This is balls "admission system aims to pick out the most academically talented"

Go for somewhere normall but excellent Bath, Bristol or Warwick all easily as good as Oxbirdge for maths, plus none of the pretenious idiots
Click to expand...

I agree. I could have gone to Oxbridge but chose to go to Nottingham instead and have a "normal" university education. ;)

Warwick was my 2nd choice but preferred Nottingham.
 
Don't listen to your 6th form - most haven't a clue. It's about academic merit and, to an extent, whether the interviewer would want to teach you. Although the second point is only mild - if you're good but unpleasant, the interviewer will just make sure someone else supervises you.

I think my previous stat was about right - it's 99.9% about your performance at interview/test.
 
dangerstat said:
I'd never EVER recommend anyone to touch Oxbirdge with a barge pole, in fact not even with a barge pole.

This is balls "admission system aims to pick out the most academically talented"

Go for somewhere normall but excellent Bath, Bristol or Warwick all easily as good as Oxbirdge for maths, plus none of the pretenious idiots
Click to expand...
I work in academia, and I'm also involved in the admissions system at Cambridge. You are painting an entirely inaccurate picture of the place.
 
w11tho said:
I work in academia, and I'm also involved in the admissions system at Cambridge. You are painting an entirely inaccurate picture of the place.
Click to expand...

Please post your webpage over at Cambridge so we can prove this.

EDIT: What are the odds on that he doesn't?
 
My brother's one the money is pronominal. Not exactly sure of his pay but it's around 6 figures.

He got a 1st in maths from Warwick (one of the top unis for maths).
It's a hell of a lot of studying, hard work and what many people call boring. To do it well you have to love doing maths.
 
What about engineering? I've got a civil engineering degree and you can apply the maths to physical objects and it gives me a sense of achievement when you've designed/calculated something. I like it. Plenty of maths and a bit of variety.

Just a thought!

Aero
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom