What does "Actuarial Studet" mean?

[turpin]

I'm trying to fill out D.W. Simpson's registration form, but I don't know what constitutes an "Actuarial Student".

If I passed the first exam, does that make me an "Actuarial Student"? Or am I not an "Actuarial Student" until I have a job in the industry?

[2M]

I am not sure what an Actuarial "Studet" is but, you are an Actuarial Student if you are actively studying to be an Actuary(credentialed).

To me that means if you haven't passed an exam but you are actively studying, you are a student.

[Traci]

If you are pursuing actuarial exams - then I would call you an actuarial student regardless of whether you are employed or not.

I never liked the term "student" once I had a job - because it implies someone who is still in school -- but it is a recognized term in actuarial circles.

[turpin]

Thank you, 2M and Traci, for the replies.


I never liked the term "student" once I had a job - because it implies someone who is still in school -- but it is a recognized term in actuarial circles.
Yes, it is even more awkward than the "engineer-in-training" title of another industry.

In non-professional social circles, I try to call myself something like "a bridge designer and inspector" or "engineering consultant", rather than a "engineer", or the ever-confusing "engineer-in-training". Sometimes I wish I could call myself an architect, because most people don't know the difference, but that would be a flat-out lie IMO.

I wonder how people here describe their actuarial jobs in non-professional social circles?

[Traci]

I wonder how people here describe their actuarial jobs in non-professional social circles?
There've been a few dicussions about this.

Oh Claude! ....

[Maxprime]

Easy one - actuarial student is what they said above. It's pretty much anyone who's not an ASA yet.

In reality - it's the term your boss uses to describe you to others. When asked what you do, you're an actuary because people won't even understand that - let alone why you're a student yet still out of school.

[qwyjiboChu]

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[DW Simpson]

I wonder how people here describe their actuarial jobs in non-professional social circles?

There've been a few discussions about this.

Oh Claude! ....

Here's on of them: Actuarial student versus actuary (where actuaries also discuss what they tell non-actuaries about their jobs): http://actuary.ca/actuarial_discussion_forum/showthread.php?t=20578&highlight=cocktail+parties

I'm trying to fill out D.W. Simpson's registration form, but I don't know what constitutes an "Actuarial Student".

For the purposes of our form, it's not really important. Our recruiters will recognize that you're looking for an entry-level position. Also, let me know if there is anything that I can do, too!

[slacktuary]

Here where I work (in the UK) we may also be called actuarial trainees, or actuarial analysts (as our job title - which sounds better than "actuarial student")

[2M]

Now it is a semantics thing. Actuarial Analyst is a common job title. That exists at my company as well.

We have folks on exam tracks and non-exam tracks. The exam track folks are actuarial students as well. The non-exam track folks are not.

[slacktuary]

Now it is a semantics thing. Actuarial Analyst is a common job title. That exists at my company as well.

We have folks on exam tracks and non-exam tracks. The exam track folks are actuarial students as well. The non-exam track folks are not.


Well, the original question (what constitutes an 'actuarial student') pertains to semantics as well (e.g. whether it means you are still in 'school' or not). Where I work, those not taking exams are 'analysts' (without the 'actuarial' adjective) whereas anyone called an 'actuarial analyst' is expected to be working and studying towards the professional qualification. 'Analyst' just sounds better than 'trainee' (who wants to have 'trainee' in their job title for ~5 years?! ... even if that's what we really are ;) and I think the management selected 'actuarial analyst' as the title over 'actuarial trainee' because the former basically makes us feel better about ourselves (now that IS semantics).

So are you saying that where you work, someone can be an 'actuarial analyst' even if he is not a qualified actuary nor even studying/ working towards qualification as one? Generally what is the background and career path of an actuarial analyst who is not pursuing an actuarial qualification?

I guess the titles just depend on management and HR policies in individual organisations.