Category: Uncategorized

I’m an FCAS who has worked in insurance and consulting for over 30 years. I was a math major with an actuarial science concentration at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!

Where do you work and what is your position?

I am currently the Chief Risk Officer and Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management at Safety National (a Tokio Marine company) in St. Louis.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

I was able to use math in a practical application… And it pays well coming right out of college!

What parts of the profession do you love the most?

You don’t realize how much of your everyday life revolves around risk and decisions you make. Because of that, I like being able to collaborate with others in trying to explain that to people — especially with numbers — without boring them too much!

What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received?

Continuously learn and do not burn bridges. The actuarial community is relatively small, and people and relationships drive it. You’d think it was numbers that drive our value, but it’s actually being able to explain numbers that gives actuaries value.

Why would you recommend a career in the P&C insurance industry to current college students?

You get to work on real-life risk scenarios. Anything you think is hot or trendy usually has some property/casualty insurance aspect to it. Or at least us P&C actuaries like to think it does!

What can students and early professionals do now to prepare for a career in the industry?

Learn much more than what’s on exams. Network and be intellectually curious. Consider that the job and position you have now will change and evolve and be ready to take on something new.

I have almost 20 years of experience as an actuary. Throughout my career, I have worked in three different countries and have had roles in pricing, reserving, and catastrophe modeling. I worked at two large insurance carriers, one ride-share company, and one autonomous vehicle technology company.

Where do you work and what is your position?

I am an Associate Director at WTW.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

At the time, I was deciding between being an actuary and a math teacher/researcher. The decision to pursue the actuarial path was driven by my desire to apply math to real-world business problems, as well as the expectation of a more stable and richer (yes, I mean monetarily) career prospect.

What parts of the profession do you love the most?

I really enjoy the fact that we get new problems to solve as the world around us evolves. We influence and respond to technological advancements as well as regulatory, economic, and even geopolitical shifts. The other aspect that I like is that we are a tight community of professionals with great opportunities for networking, development, and volunteering.

What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received?

Early in my career I had a mentor who helped me create my very first individual development plan. He encouraged me to think big and push the limits of what I considered “possible” at the time. Writing down ambitious plans on a piece of paper was surprisingly powerful to push me to stick to them.

Why would you recommend a career in the P&C insurance industry to current college students?

I recommend it because our work drives clear and strong societal benefits, as we enable measured risk-taking. From a practical perspective, it’s a career with a well-defined path to designations and a strong reputation.

What can students and early professionals do now to prepare for a career in the industry?

Be curious and entrepreneurial. Curiosity helps you see beyond the mechanics of actuarial work, and an entrepreneurial mindset pushes you to turn that curiosity into value for your team, your company, and your career.

Michael Suess, FCAS, CPCU, ARe, is an Actuarial Research Director at COUNTRY Financial, where his current responsibilities include oversight of predictive models, rate indications, and rate verification for personal, commercial, and agricultural lines of business. Michael is a Fellow of the CAS, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, and Associate in Reinsurance. He obtained a bachelor’s in Science from Illinois State University.

Michael currently serves on the advisory board for Illinois State University’s Actuarial Science Program and has also been able to teach basic ratemaking at Illinois State. While not at work, his free time is spent with his wife, Emelia; two children, Aubry and Koen; two dogs, Arya and Stark; two ducks, Cupcake and Rose; and one rabbit, Bun Buns.

Where do you work and what is your position?

I work at COUNTRY Financial as a director of property casualty actuarial research.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

Honestly, going into college I had no idea what I wanted to be. I was good at math but knew I did not want to live on a teacher’s salary. I also know I preferred the practical application of math rather than understanding all the theory. Luckily, I went to Illinois State University, which has one of the best actuarial programs that I eventually joined my junior year.

What parts of the profession do you love most?

Nothing is static, which has allowed for continuous learning throughout my career.

What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received?

Be open to new experiences but don’t stretch yourself to thin. This advice has allowed me to push myself into new areas or volunteer opportunities, while gracefully leaving some I have tried that were not a good fit for me.

Why would you recommend a career in the P&C insurance industry to current college students?

At the core of insurance is the promise to make someone whole after they may have had one of the most devastating experiences in their life. If you find the right company, you will realize how you contribute to that promise and ensure future promises can be made.

What can students and early professionals do now to prepare for a career in the industry?

Beyond gaining a base understanding of terminology in the industry, I highly recommend practicing communication skills. Actuaries need to be able to explain complex topics to less-technical audiences all the time. Once of the easiest way to advance in your career is by being able to explain what you are doing and why you are doing it the way you are.

Jaime Szalewiski, FCAS, is a commercial lines pricing actuary driven by learning, collaboration, and mentorship. With prior roles as at super regional Midwest carriers as well as AmTrust, she has a strong base in building pricing tools, strengthening processes, and reviewing programs.

Where do you work and what is your position?

I am a Senior Actuary at Accelerant, a risk exchange matching MGAs with experts and capital providers.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

I enjoyed math but did not like science. Actuarial science is consistently rated as a top occupation for job security and interesting, motivating careers, but many told me the people are boring. I found cool, extroverted college professors and friends at UW-Madison that proved them wrong and have not regretted my rewarding choice.

What parts of the profession do you love the most?

The exam process provided a clear, merit-based way to advance my career. The rigorous framework rewards persistence and discipline, as opposed to subjective judgements or background-based biases. Additionally, I enjoy creative problem-solving, the variety of my day-to-day work, and being a key park of making value-driving decisions.

What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received?

There will always be something you want to do more than passing exams, so get them done now.

Why would you recommend a career in the P&C insurance industry to current college students?

Insurance plays a vital role in our society. From protecting families’ homes to helping injured workers return to their jobs, every line of business connects to real people navigating real challenges. Learning about hurricane risk, workplace safety risks, and even the healthcare system through medical malpractice, there are always unique opportunities to learn and solve problems impacting everyday life.

What can students and early professionals do now to prepare for a career in the industry?

They can find challenging projects that push you to learn and grow. Building a strong foundation of knowledge is crucial to a successful insurance career, so do not hesitate to ask questions. Find a trusted set of experienced colleagues and mentors where you can test out ideas and offer perspectives. Above all, a great boss can really change your career trajectory and your life.

Dan Watt, is a Fellow of the CAS and a dedicated volunteer, having begun his volunteer journey with the CAS in 2015. Over the years, he has contributed to various volunteer groups including the Syllabus and Examination Working Group, the Candidate Advocate Working Group, and the Casualty Actuaries of New England (CANE), among other volunteer roles.

Where do you work and what is your position?

I’m a professor at the University of Connecticut and also an actuary at The Hartford.

• UConn: I teach P&C courses as well as predictive analytics.
• Hartford: I help run the actuarial rotational student program, lead actuarial training, help with DEI and college outreach efforts, and help with various innovative actuarial projects.

Where did you attend college?

I received a B.S. in Mathematics from Utah Valley University.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

Free pizza! A few actuaries came and presented on the profession at a nearby university. I heard there was free pizza, so I showed up, and the rest is history. They convinced me with their presentation. I decided to pursue the career because I wanted to continue learning for the rest of my life. It was challenging. It was also a clear path to apply my love for Math and Statistics in an impactful way.

What aspects of the field do you love?

The constant need to learn and grow. I’ve never done the same thing twice – it is definitely not monotonous. I love the level of creativity and innovation needed. I love the communication and collaboration with business partners. It’s consistently interesting and challenging. Such a great career!

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

Work on your personal brand by being polished, by volunteering, and by networking. In the workspace, when someone hears your name, do they know you and do they have a good impression of you?

• Being Polished: Practice before any presentation. Be prepared for meetings with your manager, mentors, and business partners. Be yourself at work, but also consistently professional. Us the “3 T’s” in presentations and most professional interactions (“Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you just told them.”).
• Volunteering: Raise your hand when folks ask for volunteers, whether it be a special project, a committee within your professional organization, and/or a charitable event. With special projects, it may be scary at first – you may experience Imposter Syndrome a bit, but the opportunity to network and learn is worth it.
• Networking: Promotions, job placements, etc. can be both objective and subjective. It’s very difficult to get an opportunity if nobody knows who you are or can vouch for your skills. Most networking will happen naturally through volunteering for projects and events, but it’s also good to set up coffee chats with folks. A personal brand must be built. It’s not passively earned.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Seven things I wish I knew at the start of my career:

1. The exam process is a marathon, not a sprint. Manage your expectations accordingly.
2. Study the material for the exams as if you needed it for your career – get to know it so well you could teach it, and then subsequently pass the exam. i.e. Study for the knowledge, not just to pass the exams.
3. Compartmentalize your life, with a focus on physical, emotional, and mental health. When you’re at work, be fully at work. When you’re studying, be fully studying. Most importantly, when it’s your personal or family time, be fully present. Juggling all of it is a simple math problem of time management, as well as maintaining proper boundaries and expectations.
4. Maintain mentor relationships with folks about two years ahead of you in progression (e.g. when first starting out, get a mentor that is an associate and still taking exams. Later, get a mentor that is a recent fellow. After that, get a mentor that is a director, AVP, etc.).
5. You are going to feel Imposter Syndrome for the first 5-10 years of your career. Just expect it. It’s okay.
6. Actively work on your personal brand.
7. Always keep your 401k contributions at the percentage your company matches. It’s basically free money for your older self.

Why would you recommend a career in the P&C insurance industry to current college students?

P&C is super fun! Every actuary will tell you they love what they do, so I’m sure life/health are perfectly fine paths to follow, but I have found P&C endlessly interesting. It requires creativity, innovation, predictive analytics, and more on a plethora of interesting puzzles. For example – the weather, climate change, self-driving cars, cyber security, anti-terrorism, artificial intelligence impacts, and the list goes on and on. So many analytically delicious topics!

What can students do now to prepare for a career in the industry?

Three pieces of advice:

1. Start learning how to study with a thirst for knowledge, rather than focusing solely on grades. If you find yourself memorizing a list or formula without truly understanding it, take some time to figure out why someone invented it in the first place. If you know the guts of the material well enough to explain it to a stranger on a bus, you’ll get good grades anyway, and know the knowledge belongs to you. (Don’t talk to strangers on buses…)
2. Network! Network! Network! Go to career fairs. Attend actuarial nerd conferences. Sign up for volunteer opportunities with professional societies. Join affiliate groups like the International Association of Black Actuaries (IABA), the Organization of Latino Actuaries  (OLA), the Sexuality and Gender Alliance of Actuaries  (SAGAA), etc. Use LinkedIn.
3. In addition to actively studying for exams, take the time to build other needed skills. Vital skills for newbies include: Excel, presentation skills, Excel, communication skills, Excel, Excel, and Excel. You really need to know Excel.

Kyle Bartee, FCAS, leads the Actuarial and Underwriting departments of Roamly. He has been an active volunteer with the CAS since 2014 and currently serves as the Volunteer Chair the CAS Case Competiton Volunteer Task Force. He received the CAS Above and Beyond Achievement Award in 2024.

Where do you work and what is your position?

I work a Roamly, an RV insurance company where I lead the Actuarial and Underwriting departments.

Where did you attend college?

I attended Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, and earned a master’s degree in Actuarial Science.

Why did you decide to become an actuary?

I wanted a career where cutting edge mathematics intersected with the business world.

What aspects of the field do you love?

I love that actuaries help provide the insights and innovations that not only help our companies grow, but also help protect our customers from loss events that could have left them in financial ruin without insurance.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

Don’t wait for your manager to tell you what to do. Find ways to add value by anticipating what is needed before you are asked.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Your resume is a story waiting to be told. Have an anecdote ready to be told for each bullet point in your resume so that your interview feels more like a conversation.

Why would you recommend a career in the P&C insurance industry to current college students?

In addition to being paid really well, actuaries help insurance companies provide coverage that helps protect people from the financial hardship of a loss. We help ensure that our companies can keep their promise to protect our customers.

What can students do now to prepare for a career in the industry?

Train yourself to be a lifelong learner by seeking knowledge and skills outside the classroom. Take what you learn in class and find real world problems you can solve in areas that interest you, like Kaggle problems or actuarial case competitions. CAS Student Central is a great starting place to find additional resources and challenges that can give you an edge when trying to find your first job.