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Starting your college education can be daunting for a variety of reasons. You’re introduced to a brand-new environment and exposed to endless new opportunities. When you add a tough line of study like actuarial science to the mix you can become overwhelmed pretty quickly. Some students avoid pursuing this major because they think they will miss out on the excitement of college, but hopefully by the end of this blog post I can convince you that attending college while studying actuarial science is an experience well worth the effort.

I have found that often as freshmen we have a generic idea of what the actuarial science major entails, and refer to BeAnActuary.org for any clarification. However, there is a world of resources that exist to support actuarial students including actuarial clubs, fraternities, and many other established organizations within our campuses that provide convenient and immediate information. One of the biggest benefits of joining one of these organizations is that you get the opportunity to directly interact with other actuarial students who have a diverse set of experiences to learn from.

One of the best decisions I have made in college has been to run for a board position in my university’s actuarial club my freshman year. Writing this out now, I recall how challenging this was for me two years ago. Back then, my negative mindset made me think that being on the board as a freshman could only happen in my dreams. Little did I know that after I was elected into that position, my involvement in the actuarial department at my school would completely transform my college experience for the better. It inspired me to interact with more of my fellow actuarial science students and understand that networking isn’t as terrifying as we make it out to be, and actually quite fun.  Most importantly, it taught me that anything is possible as long as I give it a chance.

Below is a list of ideas of how you can get involved on campus to better your college experience. However, as all universities are different, I recommend you go beyond this list and start researching what your school offers! Oftentimes the easiest thing to do is send an email to a club board member and ask for advice or clarification. They can help you get connected and even inspire you to run for a board position! I can assure you, it is well worth it if you are truly passionate about your major.

Ways to get involved:

• Research and join your university’s actuarial club (and/or fraternity, as well as any related organization)
• If your university doesn’t have an actuarial club or fraternity, start one! The insurance specific fraternity, Gamma Iota Sigma, has numerous resources available to help you start your own chapter. Apply/run to be on the board for clubs that pertain to your interests and you are passionate about
• Interact with fellow actuarial students to see how they are involved
• Communicate with companies and network via LinkedIn, club events, conferences, etc.
• Form study groups/group messages with other students in your classes

** Bonus: To have a great college experience holistically, you have to remind yourself of your outside interests as well, so don’t forget to be involved in other extracurriculars besides those that have to do with your major!

In conclusion, don’t be afraid to take chances and increase your involvement on campus! Not everything may be “your cup of tea” but finding those activities you do enjoy will help you grow closer to the best version of yourself!

It was my junior year of college when I finally decided to text my best friend one night, “I’m gay.” Though it was a freeing experience, I knew I’d have more choices to make about coming out going forward. During my first internship, I really wanted to receive a fulltime offer that would help make my senior year much less stressful, so I made it a goal to hide my sexuality. Everything I said and did was calculated, in hopes that I would “cover” my identity. I justified being “in the closet” because I didn’t know who was making the final decision and their views on the LGBTQ+ community.

When I returned to the UConn campus that fall, I focused on starting to fully embrace my identity. I had my first boyfriend who really pushed me to be my authentic self. I held his hand in public. I proudly told people I was a gay male, and I didn’t let the nerves win. This led me to begin challenging the idea of being closeted at work. I began to realize that if a company didn’t embrace the unique perspective I was bringing to the workplace, then ultimately they didn’t deserve to have me on board.

I received a return offer and started my actuarial career in June 2014. This time, I went into the office with a renewed perspective. I decorated my desk from day one to show my love for my community. I had rainbow flags at my desk, a Little Mermaid statue (my favorite Disney princess, of course), and signs that reminded me to be proud of who I am.

I won’t pretend that every day was easy. There were times where I felt excluded from the office conversations between all the straight men, and I really wanted to fit in. The few times I brought up topics that interested me, I felt looks come my way. In fact, one of my straight male coworkers told me how uncomfortable he was when I chose “Who is your favorite Disney princess?” as our team’s question of the week. I quickly turned this back on him and let him know that our weekly conversations about the New England Patriots made me feel similar, and I think a light bulb went on for him.

It wasn’t until I left my first company that I really became passionate about making the insurance industry and the actuarial profession a place where LGBTQ+ individuals can thrive. At that company, I took a role to lead the LGBTQ+ employee resource group (ERG) and consistently pushed for educational opportunities that helped better the organization. I was met with support from my direct management and the company as a whole. I have met so many amazing people that are members of the community and allies that make me realize how comfortable I am being myself in this profession.

A few months ago, I started a third new job. When I was interviewing, I made sure to reference my partner and the work I had done with the Pride ERG. I wanted to make sure that this was a company I would feel comfortable working for. When the hiring manager started asking questions about my work with Pride and my partner, I knew this was the right fit for me!

Starting a job and a new career can be daunting. Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community can make this even more challenging. Since this is often a facet of our identity that is not visible, we are faced with a decision about being our authentic self. And though it is hard to be LGBTQ+ in the insurance industry at times, I don’t at all regret being out, open, and proud. Below are some tips and tricks that I live by and might be helpful for others!

1. It is okay to bring your authentic self to work each and every day, if you feel safe doing so. (I don’t hide my sexuality, piercings, tattoos, etc.)
2. You can factor in whether a workplace will be accepting of your identity when you decide to accept an offer of employment.
3. Accept that the LGBTQ+ community is often not fully understood, and what might feel like an attack by someone outside could be used as a teaching moment.
4. Know that there are so many wonderful LGBTQ+ actuaries and allies out there to speak with. You are not alone!
5. Speak to a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the profession about their own experience, because each one is sure to be different.
6. Become a member of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance of Actuaries (SAGAA). This group is there as a resource for LGBTQ+ actuaries and allies. SAGAA has a Linkedin page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sagaactuaries/), an Instagram handle (https://www.instagram.com/sagaactuaries/) and a website (https://www.sagaactuaries.org/) that will be launching soon!