Students Invited to Participate in 36th ASNY Actuarial Career Day

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You’re invited to attend ASNY’s 36th Annual Actuarial Career Day, hosted by the Actuarial Society of Greater New York. This event will take place virtually on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET, and will offer the unique feature of having real-time private audio and visual one-on-one interviews with each company whose qualifications you match!

College freshmen through graduate students are welcome as well as professionals interested in the actuarial field as a future career. We encourage mathematics, economics, computer, finance, business and — of course — actuarial science students.

Attendees must complete a 2-step online registration in order to be registered. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, your registration did not go through, so please try completing your registration online again.

Registration Fees (non-refundable):

  • On or before August 30: $10 USD
  • September 1-15: $20 USD
  • September 16-22: $30 USD

Note: Please make sure you are registering for the Career Fair, not for ASNY membership, which is only open to credentialed actuaries.

If you have any questions, please email asnycareerday@gmail.com.


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Apply for the 2024 Midwestern Actuarial Forum (MAF) Scholarship

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of the scholarship is to further students’ interest in the property/casualty actuarial profession and to encourage the pursuit of CAS designations.

AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP:

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of individual merit. The MAF Scholarship Program will award up to three scholarships to deserving students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Award winners will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Eligibility – You must meet all requirements to be considered

  • Must submit all sections of the MAF Scholarship application by September 6, 2024.
  • Currently attending a U.S. college or university as a full-time student.
  • Applicants must have sat for at least one actuarial exam by July of 2024.
  • Must be a member of CAS Student Central.
    • Join here for free: CASStudentCentral.org
  • Preference will be given to residents or those attending schools in one of the Midwest States (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, or Wisconsin).
  • Applicants should demonstrate high scholastic achievement and strong interest in the casualty actuarial profession, mathematical aptitude, and communications skills.

You must submit:

The four-page MAF Scholarship application and attached essay.

Letter of Recommendation – OPTIONAL

One letter of recommendation may be included along with this application, preferably completed by internship supervisors, instructors, and/or advisers at your educational institution who know you well. However, this is not required.

*Incomplete applications will be disqualified without any consideration to partial information received.

Completed applications are due to MidwesternActuarialForum@gmail.com by September 6, 2024. You will be notified of award decisions by September 13, 2024.


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Register for the CAS Student Conference at the CAS Spring Meeting in Atlanta, GA!

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The Casualty Actuarial Society is pleased to offer a FREE student conference at this year’s Spring Meeting in Atlanta, GA on May 7, 2024. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. University students interested in pursuing an actuarial career are invited to participate in this one-day conference!

CAS Student Conference Attendees Will:

  • Connect with CAS Members and Participate in a Speed Network Session
  • Learn More About the CAS and the Property and Casualty Industry
  • Attend Professional Concurrent Sessions and Student-Specific Sessions
  • Take Professional Headshots

Registration is open to members of CAS Student Central. Students not yet members can easily sign up online, and then register to attend the event.

There is no cost for students to register to attend the CAS Spring Meeting Student Conference. However, attendees are responsible for any travel costs incurred including transportation and lodging (if applicable).

Agenda

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Registration and Headshots
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Welcome and Introduction to the CAS
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Break and Transition
9:45 a.m.– 10:45 a.m. Concurrent Session
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Refreshment Break with Exhibitors
11:15 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. Actuarial Pricing Cooking Show
12:30 p.m.– 2:00 p.m. Lunch and Speed Networking
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Wrap-Up and Group Picture

If you have questions, please contact CAS University Engagement Manager, Margaret Gaddy, at MGaddy@casact.org.

The 2024 CAS Spring Meeting will be held at:

Hilton Atlanta
255 Courtland St NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30303


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Watch Now! Introduction to the CAS Student Central Summer Program

Have you heard about the CAS Student Central Summer Program? Are you curious to learn more about the program and how it can help foster your career growth? Watch the recently recorded CAS Student Central Webinar and learn how participating in the CAS Student Central Summer Program can expand your knowledge of the property and casualty actuarial industry, build your network, and enhance your resume.

Watch Now!

Topics Covered

  • Overview and Background of the CAS Student Central Summer Program
  • What to Expect in a Typical Week
  • Application Process
  • Program Impacts
  • Mentor and Student Perspectives

Not yet a member of CAS Student Central? Join this free membership program today and access the CAS Student Central Webinar Library!

Meet the Presenters:

Jason Nikowitz, FCAS, CPCU, CSPA
Jason Nikowitz is an Assistant Vice President and Actuarial Manager for Zurich North America’s National Accounts Reserving department. He has previous experience in planning and claims-level predictive modeling and, prior to becoming an actuary, was a high school math teacher. He holds degrees from Purdue University, Harper College, and North Central college and is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS), a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and a Certified Specialist in Predictive Analytics (CSPA). Jason has been involved in the CAS Student Central Summer Program since 2021 and is the current volunteer chair of the CAS Student Programs Task Force.

Kyle Bartee, ACAS, CSPA
After a short career in teaching, Kyle went back to school to get an Actuarial degree, and has been a practicing Actuary for a little over a decade. He now works at an Insurtech startup, and is pricing RV insurance for all 50 states. Kyle was a CAS Student Central Summer Program mentor in 2021 and 2022, and hosted mentor trainings in 2023 for fellow mentors during the program.

Aarif Baksh, Student
Aarif Baksh is a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln working towards a master’s degree in actuarial science. Aarif was a 2023 CAS Student Central Summer Program participant, and his team won the panel 5 case competition. Aarif is also currently participating in the CAS Student Central Scholars Program.

Christa Benitha, Student
Christa Benitha Ingabire is an undergrad student at Hamilton College, set to graduate in December 2024 with a major in Pure and Applied Mathematics, and a minor in Studio Art. Benitha plans to pursue a career in Actuarial science and was a 2023 CAS Student Central Summer Program participant. Her team won the panel 4 case competition, and she is currently participating in the CAS Student Central Scholars Program.


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Applications Now Being Accepted for the 2024 CAS Student Central Summer Program!

Applications are now open for the 2024 CAS Student Central Summer Program! Developed by practicing actuaries, this free eight-week program will support university students’ career growth by providing technical and soft skill development, as well as mentorships and networking opportunities.

Since its inception in 2020, this educational program has rapidly gained popularity among CAS Student Central members. Hear firsthand what a former participant has to say about the program and how it has positively impacted their actuarial journey:

“I genuinely believe that the CAS summer program is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to dive deep into the world of actuarial science. It’s not just about academics; it’s about building a network, gaining practical exposure, and shaping your future in a dynamic field.”

2024 Program Details

The program will run from Monday, June 10 – Friday, August 2. Over the course of the eight-week program participants will:

  • Complete weekly modules that focus on a variety of property and casualty actuarial topics including pricing, reserving, and data visualization.
  • Connect and network with mentors for weekly discussions as students advance through the program.
  • Build important soft skills, such as presentation skills, resume/interview prep, professional courtesies and more!
  • Work on teams with other students on a case competition addressing a real-life actuarial problem, and present their final projects to a panel of practicing actuaries. There will be  prizes for the winning teams.

Participants will spend approximately 10 hours a week participating in the program and are expected to attend the program in its eight-week entirety. Presentations and materials will be in English. Participants who successfully complete the program will be awarded a digital badge by the CAS documenting their accomplishment.

Who Should Apply?

The program is geared towards university students who are interested in gaining actuarial experience and knowledge of the property and casualty insurance industry. It is an exciting development opportunity for students who do not have an internship lined up for summer 2024.

We encourage students at schools without actuarial programs, as well as those who recently learned about the actuarial career, to apply. This program will also be beneficial to students who attend an actuarial program but have had limited exposure to property and casualty topics or limited access to actuarial internships.

The CAS strongly encourages students that identify with groups historically under-represented in STEM professions, including Women, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, to apply.

The CAS is committed to providing universal access to all of our programs. Any accommodation requests can be submitted during program enrollment process once admissions notifications have been circulated.

If you are located in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, please apply to the East Asia Summer Program here: CAS Student Central East Asia Summer Program

Application Information:

Interested students should submit an application form by April 10. Please note, we require one recommendation submitted within the application.

Applicants will be notified no later than May 1 as to the status of their application.

For those that are looking for a flexible schedule and have limited capacity to attend weekly cohort meetings, we will also offer the CAS Student Central Independent Summer Program, a self-paced alternative covering the same materials. The independent program includes an online forum for participants to pose questions, connect with each other, and obtain guidance. It excludes the case competition, and weekly mentor discussions. The program will run from June 24-August 2. Applicants interested in applying specifically for the CAS Student Central Independent Summer Program should also complete the application form above.

Questions? Please email us at studentprograms@casact.org


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Save-the-Date: CAS Student Program at the CAS Spring Meeting in Atlanta, GA!

The Casualty Actuarial Society is offering an in-person Student Program at this year’s Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA on May 7, 2024. Members of CAS Student Central are invited to participate in this FREE program.

Registration will be open to all members of CAS Student Central. Students who are not yet members can easily sign up online.

More information and registration details are to come! If you would like to be the first to be notified when registration opens, please complete this form.

Location:

Hilton Atlanta
255 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30303


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CAS Student Central Profile Rachel Hunter, FCAS

CAS Profile: Rachel Hunter, FCAS

Rachel Hunter is a Career Changer.CAS Student Central Profile Rachel Hunter, FCAS

In what field or actuarial concentration do you work in now?
I most recently worked in pricing for small commercial lines.

What job did you do or industry did you work in before becoming an actuary?
During the late 90’s, I was part of the dot-com boom building websites at a handful of different startup companies.

Why did you decide to change careers and become an actuary?
Working in technology wasn’t a career choice for me as much as it was a very easy job to get at the time if you had the basic skills to do it and ability to learn more.  At first I only planned to do it for a while deciding whether to go to graduate school in some field of Biology (my undergraduate major).  In 2001, after leaving a startup in CA and moving to Seattle, WA without a job, I started looking at long-term career options.    I took an online version of the MAPP career assessment and it suggested I be either a writer, architect or actuary.  I had been considering both writer and architect but knew it would be a lot of time to get to the point of having a stable income and that both required continually selling my skills.  So I decided to take the first actuarial exam and apply to the local companies in Seattle that had actuarial entry level roles.  Within the first week on my job at Safeco insurance, I already had respect from senior executives and it was such a welcome change in terms of culture  from my technology jobs.

What advice do you have for others who are considering a similar career change?
The hardest part of the change for me was exams.  Be ready to set progress goals for yourself and try to find a study group to keep you on track.


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Student Central Profiles Nick LaPenta

CAS Profile: Nick LaPenta

Where do you work and what is your position?Student Central Profiles Nick LaPenta
I have been part of Travelers Insurance for 16 years. Currently I am an AVP in Corporate Actuarial where I lead our work on annual and quarterly financials related to reserves, catastrophe reporting and competitor analytics.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?
During my senior year of high school, I was invited to attend Travelers’ first annual high school day, which introduced the actuarial profession to top math students from around Connecticut. The event featured senior leader speakers, an actuarial student panel and a presentation by BeAnActuary.org. At the time I was just looking for a day off of school; little did I know the day would introduce me to an exciting career! Travelers continues to hold the event annually and I’m proud to have been involved with the event in numerous roles over the years, including as a past chair of the event.

What aspects of the field do you love?
I’m lucky that I get to work and volunteer with the most talented and innovative people day in and day out. My position is unique in that I get to work with reserving actuaries across all areas and facilitate the exchange of ideas and information between them; ultimately drawing out the bigger picture to help guide management’s decisions.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?
Both in life and at work, always leave things better than how you found it. People will notice and respect you even more for it.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Work on refining what studying method works best for you and gives you the best shot at passing. For me, I learned that exams are tough, but they are especially tough to do alone. Find a group to study with to supplement your individual efforts. You’ll notice that it helps fill the gaps in your studying that you didn’t know you had. Also, the exam process is rewarding but it can be mentally exhausting. Make sure to take time for yourself. I always tried to take some time off to travel after each exam as a mental break and to help pass the time waiting for results.

Why would you recommend a career in the insurance industry to current college students?
When I was nearing the end of my college career, I wasn’t ready to stop learning but at the same time I didn’t want to continue on for a Masters or PhD. A career in the insurance industry offered the perfect amount of continuous learning, growth and development for me. There’s a wide range of diverse opportunities with a mix of analytical skills, innovation, technology and communication. I also enjoy the community aspect that insurance companies share by being able to make a meaningful impact by helping individuals and businesses manage risks.

What can students do now to prepare for a career in the industry?
There are so many things students can do now to prepare; networking with professionals, attending industry events (CAS, GIS, etc), gaining relevant skills through courses, internships, staying updated on industry trends and so much more. My biggest advice though is don’t go in and try to tackle them all. It’s a lot and you’ll end up getting burned out. At the same time my second piece of advice is to do something, anything. Pick a few with the goal of really committing to them and getting everything you can out of the experience. Don’t treat them as a check box.


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