Professionalism Course

[Utanapishtim]

So, I'm going to be in Charlotte for this, next month, and yet I'm not really sure what's going to be involved. Apparently the only real way not to pass is to show up late, leave early, or otherwise skip out of the sessions, so I think I can handle that. But then there's this stack of reading material they've sent, too -- should I be studying this stuff as for an exam?
Or just skimming it on the flight over?
If I can give everyone else a metaphoric beating with regard to having the most professional responses, can I get some kind of recognition as an überprofessional? (:

[Happy Salvador]

Skim it.

[Actuarian]

I think you would be an unterprofessionelle person if you skip the end, b/c I think they're planning to give you a "quiz" at the very end of the session.

[Lucy]

Read it all once, as you would read an interesting or important article. Don't outline or memorize details. You will not be tested, but you will be expected to participate in discussions. Also, as a professional actuary, you need to know what those things say.

Unless your flight is very long, you might want a little more time than it allows.

[statzman]

I agree with Lucy. Read all or most of it before you show up. You get into dicussion groups to talk about the ASOP's. It is good to have read them before you show up.

[Happy Salvador]

Good advice.

I bet you'll skim it.

[Utanapishtim]

My flight is very long.

Thanks, folks (:

[GefilteFish144]

Don't waste your time with the stuff. Most of it has been or will be coming up on your exams. If they send you case studies read them and think of good responses. Otherwise everything you need to know will be more than adequately covered at the course.

Have fun in Charlotte, but too bad you couldn't make the Vegas course.

[Maine-iac]

Another vote for Lucy's answer. Just read the materials over so you can participate in discussions rather than just sit there like a bump on a log. You probably won't "flunk" if you just sit there, but you won't get much out of it.

No need to take notes or memorize stuff.

[Dooby Scoo]

Never read it. I'm now an ACAS. Just take your p's on breaks and ask/answer a few questions.

[Examinator]

I'm just curious: what kind of material do they send you to read, and how much is there?

[Wigmeister General]

Case studies:

You're the actuary for the Insurance Department. Your brother-in-law is the CEO of ABC Company, and his Company is going under unless it gets a 15% rate increase. He shows you the latest proposed filing (not yet filed with the Ins. Dept.) to seek your advice on how to get that 15%. You look at the trend calculation, and notice that it's wrong. You look at the LDFs, and see they're wrong.

What do you tell your brother-in-law over dinner?

[Maine-iac]

That's pretty much it, along with lots of Standards of Practice documents.
The case studies are more fun to read.

[yoyo]

Do they still show the movie clip?

[glitto]

Do they still show the movie clip?

Yup. They showed it at the June course in Chicago. Or at least they showed their oddly-edited twelfth-generation videotape of it. I found it odd that we were a captive audience for two days but that the CAS felt there wasn't enough time to show the complete movie.

[Maine-iac]

SOA shows the whole film. With the James Wood shower scene. :D

[GefilteFish144]

You think they would also show "About Schmidt?" :)

[Wigmeister General]

You think they would also show "About Schmidt?" :)

Between the Million Dollar Bubble and About Schmidt, are we trying to PROVE that actuaries are the dullest people on earth?