The Microsoft of Actuarial Science

[sharkie21]

In computer science there are some very well distinguished companies like, Microsoft, Google, IBM, etc...

I guess what are some of the distinguished companies in actuarial science?

[DW Simpson]

Does where you work matter? What markets are most prestigious? (http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actuarial_discussion_forum/showthread.php?t=68323&highlight=harvard)

[silverfox]

http://www.beanactuary.org/find/firms.cfm

[sharkie21]

Interesting topic D.W. Simpson. After being in CS for so many years, you have the idea that once you work for a company like Microsoft you can practically work for any company you want. I guess the actuarial profession is more about work experience than company prestige.

Thanks for the list Silverfox.

[BlueFJR]

Just because of size, The Prudential. This would apply to life actuaries in the USA.

Worldwide, maybe ING would be an appropriate answer?

[Westley]

Just because of size, The Prudential. This would apply to life actuaries in the USA.

Worldwide, maybe ING would be an appropriate answer?

Why would size mean anything relative to the question asked? Why would they be more distinguished than any other extremely large company - Met (aren't they bigger than Pru anyway?), NY Life, Hartford, AIG?

[zeus1233]

It depends upon the field. If you are in insurance then something such as State Farm, AIG, etc. are going to be recognizable. If you're a pension consultant then the big firms are going to be closer to what you seek; I don't think it is quite as big a deal in this field. When you're talking about such a small field with designations that require years of work the names of one's employer is not as big a deal as it is in other professions.

[Salzmann]

It depends upon the field. If you are in insurance then something such as State Farm, AIG, etc. are going to be recognizable. <snip>When you're talking about such a small field with designations that require years of work the names of one's employer is not as big a deal as it is in other professions.

Working with a personal lines carrier such as Allstate or State Farm may actually restrict your possibilities in the future. You'll be a wizard when it comes to Personal Lines, but if you've been there 20 years it may be hard to find employment with a reinsurer or commercial lines carrier. In my last job search (late 2001/early 2002 which I admit was a tough time), I found a lot of picky employers who wanted someone with EXACTLY the experience that applied to the open position. Fortunately, my current employer was willing to hire people with a good track record who were open to learning new things.