CAS Profile: Bella Thiel, CAS Candidate
Bella Thiel is an actuarial analyst at Allstate Insurance and an active member of the CAS. She graduated from UW-Madison in 2024 and currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
Where do you work and what is your position?
I work as an actuarial analyst at Allstate Insurance, specifically on the National General team. We work on pricing auto, home, condo, and renters’ insurance across the U.S.
Why did you decide to become an actuary?
I decided to become an actuary after attending an actuarial career day. I loved the people and the projects they talked about. Most of all, I felt like I finally found my people: those who love math! I wanted to be able to use my creativity and math skills simultaneously while making a positive difference.
What parts of the profession do you love the most?
I love that actuarial science draws on so many different fields — math, economics, finance, risk management, psychology, environmental studies, etc. It forces you to know and care about important topics, such as the economy and the state of the world. I also love applying the concepts I learned in the actuarial exams in my job!
What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received?
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” — Kirk Peter, FSA and professor at UW-Madison. I think of this quote often when feelings of comparison come up in my career and in the actuarial exams. Everyone takes and passes actuarial exams at different rates. As long as you keep trying and don’t burn yourself out, I think anyone can get their credentials!
Why would you recommend a career in the P&C insurance industry to current college students?
YES — there are so many different paths you can take within P&C, and the work we do is important.
What can students and early professionals do now to prepare for a career in the industry?
Build your technical skills! There are plenty of free and online bootcamps, competitions, case studies, and resources to build your coding skills. Also, set realistic expectations. It might take longer than you think to achieve the next milestone, whether that’s getting a promotion or passing your exams. This can be a competitive field. But don’t feel discouraged; instead, understand that this career path will test your discipline and commitment.