Friday, May 16, 2008, 1:34 am |
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What is an Actuary? 
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| Actuarial jobs rate very high, AGAIN! | ||||||||||||||||
| In every "Best Job" survey, our profession consistently ranks at the top. The following articles were contributed by NAC members. | ||||||||||||||||
| Learning the Basics of "What is an Actuary" | ||||||||||||||||
| Find out more about what an actuary is and what they do. The Nebraska Actuaries Club has put together the following file to help foster a good general description of our profession by describing the nature of our work, training, advancement, pay, skills needed, and how to get started.
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| Actuaries on the "Big Screen" | ||||||||||||||||
| Here's an experience that doesn't happen every day at work. Jack Nicholson was in Omaha to shoot some scenes for the movie "About Schmidt". The character he played was a retiring actuary and some of the movie was shot at the Woodmen Tower. So when he stopped by the actuarial department to get an understanding of his character, he met with my boss, the chief actuary, and the previous chief actuary, who had retired 6 earlier. Of course, a bunch of us in the department couldn't let him leave without a group photo. (Check out the attached picture). They didn't want me in the movie --but I tried. | ||||||||||||||||
| -Blake Warneke | ||||||||||||||||
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| Here is what "The Actuary" has to say "About Schmidt (page 3)". | ||||||||||||||||
| If you want to see another excellent movie about actuaries, check out the 1976 movie "The Billion Dollar Bubble", starring James Woods. (This is relevant because the Society presents the film during the Fellowship Admissions Course.) This is a movie about the downfall of the "Equity Funding Corporation", which was a huge life insurance company found to be issuing fraudulent policies. At the center of the fraud was the company's actuary who eventually went to prison for his actions. The movie dramatizes how small and seemingly insignificant acts can eventually result in disaster. The VHS is no longer produced. However, you can borrow the tape from the Society of Actuaries if you are an Associate or Fellow. Or, if you know one who can make the request on your behalf. The contact person is the Society's librarian Ellen Bull, her phone is (847) 706-3575. | ||||||||||||||||
| | Finally, if you've never envisioned your office as a haven for swashbuckling pirates, you need to see the Monty Python short movie "The Crimson Permanent Assurance". You can see this at the start of the Monty Python VHS named "The Meaning of Life". If you would like to get a flavor for what it's about, the following link should do the trick. | | ||||||||||||||
| More In-Depth Descriptions of "What is an Actuary" | ||||||||||||||||
The following "Be an Actuary" link provides an excellent overview of the Actuarial profession and how one could pursue a career in Actuarial Science.
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| Other Professions Using Math | ||||||||||||||||
| The competition among employers for students with strong math backgrounds is ever-increasing. Consequently, our profession must stay competitive by offering better salaries and continually updating our education. So, it is only fair that we present some other math-related fields in order to try and lend some guidance to those interested in the Acturial profession.
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| Presentation of "What is an Actuary?" | ||||||||||||||||
| Here is a PowerPoint presentation for people who know nothing about Actuaries. This presentation is also good for actuaries who have to present this topic.
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| Wacko Pricing Game | ||||||||||||||||
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| Have you ever had to give a presentation to a group about what an Actuary is? Try using the "Wacko Pricing Game" for your next presentation. It is a great way to demonstrate what Actuaries do in an interactive and entertaining setting. This is especially good for students or groups with very little understanding of this profession.
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| Warning! Actuaries can be a target for humor. | ||||||||||||||||
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| If you are more articulate than the following sound byte, you'll be a great Actuary! | ||||||||||||||||
| Although the above is a classic example of Actuarial Humor, the following link will take you to a page with a vast reserve of ...
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Copyright © 1999 Nebraska Actuaries Club