CAS Profile: David Idoux, FCAS
David Idoux, FCAS, is an active member of the CAS and an actuary at USAA. He has contributed to CAS publications, including  graduate of Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville.
Where do you work and what is your position?
I am an Actuary Lead at USAA working in Pricing Modernization.
Where did you attend college?
I studied Mathematics at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville.
Why did you decide to become an actuary?
I always knew that I wanted to do something math-related, so when I discovered the actuary career path, it seemed like a natural fit. I was immediately drawn to the idea of professional development and continuous growth through the exam pathway. Getting raises for passing exams doesn’t hurt, either!
What aspects of the field do you love?
My favorite part of being an actuary is the variety. There are so many different types of actuaries, even just on the P&C side. I truly enjoy connecting with other people in the field and learning more about their day-to-day life.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
Never stop learning. If you’re not constantly learning new things then it’s probably time to make a change. Everyone you meet, even non-actuaries, has something to teach you if you stay open to that possibility.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Make an effort to get to know your colleagues and professional connections on a personal level. This actuarial community is a lot smaller than many realize! You never know who might become your boss one day… But in all seriousness, I have found that my professional career has been enhanced by the genuine personal connections that I’ve made along the way.
Why would you recommend a career in the P&C insurance industry to current college students?
The P&C industry is constantly changing! We’re on the cutting edge of predictive analytics, leveraging massive datasets to deliver insights to our stakeholders, and building really cool things! If you like solving problems, this is the industry to get into.
What can students do now to prepare for a career in the industry?
Something that will really set a new analyst apart from the rest of the field is clear and crisp communication skills. Yes, technical ability is crucial, but understanding how to communicate with your stakeholders is going to propel your career to new heights. A student that can perform an analysis, create a slide deck with simple and concise content, and then give an easy-to-understand presentation on the key findings of the analysis will always go far.
[MB1]https://www.casact.org/newsletter/future-fellows/2024/december
