actuary?

tuhubon

Hi all! I’m in 5th year, will be filling out my CAO form very soon(in two years time), and really need your advices:
I was and will always do well in Maths (I’m doing higher, and finding it very easy). My Maths teacher told me that if I want to, her brother who is an very well-paid actuary, can set me up to train in his company after my leaving cert. It sounds great but I did a search around, and also know that it’ll take about.. 7 years or something like that to be a professional actuary (and good salary). Is that true? And where can I study that kind of course in college?
p.s. I'm also doing very well in Accountancy, physics and chemistry.

Pherekydes

Hi Tuhubon,

You need to be a straight A student in every subject to be an actuary, but don't let it put you off.

If you think you're good enough, you probably are!

Try this website:

http://www.beanactuary.org/

David19

If you want to be an actuary it might be a better idea to get a maths degree. You could get exemptions from some of the actuarial exams. Th exams will be easier if you have a maths degree, you'll qualify quicker. Also most importantly you'll be keeping your options open. If you do become an actuary but don't like it you'll find it easier to change career if you have a maths degree.

Cyrus

yep better doing a degree

Ucd have the best one and economics and finance there is a similar course which is less points circa 465

DCU also have an actuary degree

1) You dont miss out on college life which you will regret
2) You get exemptions and its easier to study in college than work and study, mate of mine tried it, gave up after 4 years

Id def do a degree make sure its for u

planck2

Slow coach wrote:

Hi Tuhubon,

You need to be a straight A student in every subject to be an actuary, but don't let it put you off.

If you think you're good enough, you probably are!

Try this website:

http://www.beanactuary.org/

That is incorrect, you do not need to be a straight A student to be an actuary. You need to be a straight A student to be allowed study actuary, this is the required criteria for entry via the CAO. In actual fact to be an actuary all you need to be is very good at maths and business. Because actuaries earn lots of money everyone wants to be that is why you need to be a straight A student to study it in college or gain entry to an actuary firm.

planck2

David19 wrote:

If you want to be an actuary it might be a better idea to get a maths degree. You could get exemptions from some of the actuarial exams. Th exams will be easier if you have a maths degree, you'll qualify quicker. Also most importantly you'll be keeping your options open. If you do become an actuary but don't like it you'll find it easier to change career if you have a maths degree.

this is very good advice

M@lice

I agree with above post. You should choose a maths degree with finance, economics or business. It should prepare you for actuarial work and keep your options open if you should change your mind at any stage.

johnnyq

Would the Joint degree in economics & maths be suitable for actuary?
Other than actuary & stats are there really that many opportunities with a general maths degree, such as that in UCC?

rainbow kirby

Depends on what courses you do. I'm doing mathematical science in UCD, and some of our statistics courses are shared with BAFS students (2nd year stat theory, 3rd stat methods(both compulsory, and BAFS take them both in 2nd year), actuarial stats 1 and 2 (think BAFS do this in 3rd year too), and I'm not sure about 4th year because I'm dropping stats at the end of this year ).
I went into college half thinking about actuary, but 2nd year stats totally put me off! Think economics/maths would be ok too, but some statistics courses might help.

Superman

Well you need really good grades toi get in, but if you are going to do that well i'd really consider doing medicine:
Pays well and always rises
You get to save lives
looking after People is infinitely more important than looking after other peoples cash!


Either way I wish you all the best!

David19

Superman wrote:

Well you need really good grades toi get in, but if you are going to do that well i'd really consider doing medicine:
Pays well and always rises
You get to save lives
looking after People is infinitely more important than looking after other peoples cash!


Either way I wish you all the best!

You'll also then be in one of the highest pressured jobs out there. A lot of doctors become alcoholics. You'll also be working for the rest of your life, very little time off. It is a good career but I presume if he was asking about becoming an actuary he has an interest in maths. Always do something you enjoy, not because it pays well.

Is there much opportunities for actuaries here in ireland? You might have to consider moving to england or the us if you decide to become one.

Cyrus

lol u think a doctors job is tough, actuaries work under serious pressure, most retire from actuary at 40 or so

David19

Cyrus wrote:

lol u think a doctors job is tough, actuaries work under serious pressure, most retire from actuary at 40 or so

I've heard this before but I've also heard its a nine to five job five days a week. Its regular hours unlike a doctor. Lol maybe they make so much money they're able to retire at 40?

charlieroot

David19 wrote:

I've heard this before but I've also heard its a nine to five job five days a week. Its regular hours unlike a doctor. Lol maybe they make so much money they're able to retire at 40?

I've done a degree in Financial and Actuarial Mathematics - I know quite a few people working as actuaries. Trust me its far from a 9-5 job. More like 8-7 a lot of the time.


That said for the right person it can be a very rewarding and very well paid job.

One thing to keep in mind though - it does have the highest rate of suicide as far as careers go

Noel.

charlieroot

Cyrus wrote:

Ucd have the best one

I'm curious what criteria are you basing this on?

Noel.

ecksor

DeVore likes to say that actuary is the career for people who can't stand the excitement of accountancy.

tuhubon

99.9% of people in here think that actuary isn't a very good idea, which make me even more excited. I really appreciate all your advices, but I have already made up my mind, and willing to do all the hard works or whatever it’ll take to be an actuarial. I’ve had a look around; UCD seems to be the only place the offers actuarial study, isn’t it? Does anyone know some other places?
Thanks!

ecksor

There is a Financial and Actuarial maths degree in DCU. I'd imagine that Financial Maths and Economics in NUI Galway would be a good preparation for an actuarial career as would most/all maths/statistics degrees.

charlieroot

tuhubon wrote:

99.9% of people in here think that actuary isn't a very good idea, which make me even more excited. I really appreciate all your advices, but I have already made up my mind, and willing to do all the hard works or whatever it’ll take to be an actuarial. I’ve had a look around; UCD seems to be the only place the offers actuarial study, isn’t it? Does anyone know some other places?
Thanks!

UCD, DCU, UL, UCC and I think UCG have degrees related to actuarial work. UCD and DCU would be the two most established and long running though.