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Career Information for Actuarial Science Majors

Occupational Outlook Handbook | Career Databases | Associations | The CAT | Articles | Company Information

Introduction

[Actuaries] analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. [Actuaries] may ascertain premium rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
from: O*Net Dictionary of Occupational Titles. 3rd ed. p. 112
BUSCAREER REF: HB2595.O16 2004

Careers include:

May be employed by:

  • Insurance industry
  • Government agencies
  • Consulting firms

Titles may include:

  • Actuary
  • Insurance Underwriter

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)

Search for reports on Actuarial Science or any of the above occupations. OOH provides

  • Hundreds of types of jobs, accessible by job title or general occupational areas
  • Training & educational requirements
  • Salaries
  • Expected job growth
  • Job descriptions
  • Working conditions
  • Link to Career Guide for Industries

Career Databases

Vault Online Career Library:

  • Career articles
  • Descriptions of occupations
  • Occupational surveys
  • Company profiles
  • Industry guides
  • Vault print guides to individual companies, specific majors and career resources

WetFeet Career Guides:

  • University Park students may contact Career Services for electronic access to Wetfeet Guides
  • [For print resources in the Library, Check the CAT. In the Advanced Search, combine "WetFeet" as a keyword with a subject (like Resumes) to narrow your search.]
  • Career requirements
  • Geographic search capability
  • Interviews with recruiters
  • Articles
  • Job search strategies

Associations

Associations provide not only helpful information for practitioners, but wonderful career resources as well. Association web sites often have two levels of access: public information (free) and also information for members only (fee-based). Associations usually publish newsletters, journals and other resources to help their membership stay on top of issues in the profession. Links to related associations are usually posted.

Society of Actuaries

  • Emphasizes education, research and professional development
  • Links to actuarial organizations
  • Career center
  • Internship opportunities
  • Exam information and registration

Casualty Actuarial Society

  • Publishes standards and guidelines for the United States and Canada
  • Webinars
  • Career center
  • Interactive exams for students

Be an Actuary

  • Website jointly sponsered by Society of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society
  • Career information
  • Scholarship opportunities
  • Minority programs including scholarships

Additional associations may be found in each report in the Occupation Outlook Handbook.

Find books, videos and other resources in the CAT:

Titles with numerous majors and occupations:
Suggested search term combinations:
  • Mathematics AND Careers
  • Statistics AND Vocational Guidance
  • Business Mathematics AND Vocational Guidance

Find Articles in ProQuest

Proquest provides access to over 5000 titles. Suggested searches:

  • Specific companies
  • Corporate culture
  • Employee satisfaction
  • Actuarial Science AND employment
  • Actuarial Science AND careers
  • Browse publications such as The Wall Street Journal
  • Narrow search to trade publications

Find Company Information in Hoovers

  • Proprietary company and industry information
  • News
  • Career development
  • Industry trends

Search


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