Travelers Predictive Modeling Cooking Show
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OLA Academy and Academic Scholarship Program
OLA Academy
OLA Academy is a web-based program that prepares OLA candidates for the recruiting process. In 2020, the program will run from March to September. OLA Academy participants will get training on:
- Resume writing
- Interviewing
- Networking
- Designing an effective LinkedIn profile
OLA Academy participants will be matched with volunteers to put their new skills into practice. Completing the OLA Academy curriculum is required for the OLA Travel Sponsorship Program. OLA sponsors Latinx actuarial candidates to attend various conferences such as the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) Convention and the Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) Conference, among others. At these conferences, attendees will have an opportunity to network with actuaries, and, in some cases, interview for positions. To increase your chances of being considered for the ALPFA Convention, we encourage you to apply by April 30, 2020.
OLA Academic Scholarship Program
With help from corporate sponsors, OLA awards academic scholarships to Latinx undergraduate students who are pursuing the actuarial profession. At least one award includes an actuarial internship for Summer 2021. The deadline is April 30, 2020. In the general application, be sure to indicate that you are Hispanic/Latino, or else you won’t be able to apply.
Watch the Travelers Predictive Modeling Cooking Show Webinar!
CAS Student Central hosted the Travelers Predictive Modeling Cooking Show Webinar this spring, and the recording has now been made available exclusively for its members. Not yet a member of CAS Student Central? Sign up today!
To learn more about career opportunities at Travelers for students and graduates, click here!
Watch Now!
What is the Travelers Predictive Modeling Cooking Show?
It is a window into the kitchen of master “chefs” as they work, except the chefs are whipping up something different: a predictive model.
- Watch actuaries and data experts showcase their modeling skills as they compete to solve a classic real-world prediction problem.
- Learn basic modeling concepts including data “scrubbing,” the basic steps used to build a model, and how to measure the effectiveness of a model.
- Develop your own predictions as you follow along with our chefs.
This unique and entertaining presentation will enhance your appreciation and understanding of analytics and modeling.
Meet the Presenters!
Megan Camanocha, ACAS, is a Director in Business Insurance Analytics & Research at Travelers. She has worked in the insurance industry since 2008, joined Travelers in 2014, and has held various actuarial and advanced analytics roles across both Business Insurance and Personal insurance. Megan holds a degree in Applied Mathematics from Boston University.
Nathan Hubbell, FCAS, is a 2nd Vice President in Business Insurance Analytics & Research at Travelers. He started at Travelers in 2002, and has held a variety of actuarial and analytics positions across Personal, Business and International insurance. Nathan is a graduate of St. Olaf College, where he majored in Mathematics with Statistics and Molecular Biology concentrations.
Melissa Schenck, ACAS, is a Senior Manager of Customer Analytics in Personal Insurance at Travelers. She started at Travelers in 2013 and held roles in Business Insurance as well as Enterprise Business Intelligence and Analytics prior to joining Personal Insurance. Melissa holds a dual degree in Mathematics and Economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Naveena Spitz is a Senior Director in the Information Management & Analytics department at Travelers. She has worked in the insurance industry since 2003, joined Travelers in 2013, and has held various roles in data analytics, data engineering, business analytics and advanced analytics. Naveena is a graduate of Baylor University and holds degrees in Management Information Systems and International Business.
Rick Sutherland, FCAS, is a 2nd Vice President in Business Insurance Actuarial Product at Travelers. He has worked at Travelers since 2006, with prior roles in Corporate Actuarial, Public Sector, and Commercial Accounts. Rick holds a Mathematics degree from St. Olaf College.
Chad Wilson, FCAS, is a 2nd Vice President in Business Insurance Actuarial Product at Travelers. He has worked at Travelers since 2006 in various actuarial, modeling, and business roles across both Personal Insurance and Business Insurance. Chad holds a Master’s of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
A Student’s Perspective on Succeeding in the Actuarial Profession
My name is Jack Richards, and I am a senior actuarial science student at Drake University in Des Moines, IA! After my graduation in May, I’ll be joining Deloitte Consulting as an actuarial analyst in their Human Capital practice. I have interned at a variety of different companies (Deloitte, Travelers, and Sammons Financial), and am fortunate to have experienced the P&C, Life, and Health industries!
Back in high school, I wanted to explore a career that sat at the intersection of math and business, and one of my neighbors recommended that I explore the actuarial profession. I was intrigued by the high level of respect the actuarial profession has, along with the wide array of opportunities that an actuary’s career can take. Through my internship experience, I’ve been surprised by the wide variety of skills an actuary employs in their day-to-day work. Many people stereotype the profession as very introverted, however, I could not disagree more! I have been amazed at the amount of teamwork in projects and relationships with other business partners that actuaries exercise on a daily basis. This excites me about the profession, as actuaries continue to be empowered as trusted business advisors and experts. Moreover, the volunteer culture that drives the CAS forward is a professional environment that values everyone’s contributions, something that I’ve appreciated during my time volunteering for the CAS.
     
Throughout my time in college, I’ve used a variety of different resources to find success in exams and internships. CAS Student Central has valuable resources that students can leverage as they strive for success in the profession. As a Student Central member, I’ve benefited from the free practice exams from the Infinite Actuary, the internships in the career center and the scholarship listing. I’ve watched informative webinars each semester, and attended in-person networking events at CAS meetings to continue to learn about the profession and build my network as I begin my career.
Both Gamma Iota Sigma and Drake University have played a pivotal role in my college experience. GIS has enabled me to surround myself with other students passionate about the profession, challenging me to grow as an individual and as a leader. I’ve built a national network of students and industry leaders through GIS’s conferences and programs, and this has opened many doors!
Additionally, Drake’s excellent actuarial program has provided a foundation for success. Through rigorous academic courses that line up with exams, and leadership opportunities in conferences such as the Drake Symposium, I’ve benefited greatly from Drake’s actuarial program.
For students considering a career in the actuarial profession, I encourage you to take the next step. Join your university’s GIS chapter and/or actuarial club, or start one if it isn’t available. If you already belong to these organizations, I challenge you to take on a leadership role and begin shaping the experiences of other members. Through demonstrating your capabilities and commitment to the profession, I hope you’ll find success as you pursue the actuarial career!