at what point do these things start counting against me

[sweetiepie]

I'm a few years out of college, with no financial experience, no significant computer experience, and a bad gpa with no special excuse.

The way some people talk around here, exams are everything. And so I've been operating under the belief that if I just pass enough exams, given there's not something horribly wrong with me, I'll get a job somewhere in the actuarial field.

Is this true? Or is there some point where I'll jump from unqualified to overqualified? If so, where, in your opinion, is that point? Are there any other entry level jobs, that I could more easily obtain, that would make me appear more employable? What about degrees or certifications?

[Jim James]

If I were to receive a resume that summarizes what you've stated below and it showed you had passed no exams; I wouldn't even look at. All else being equal but you have two exams; I would consider giving you an opportunity to explain your situation with high skepticism. All else being equal but you have four exams; I would wonder why you don't have a job yet and probably pass. However, my company tends to develop employees, when we look outside for employees, there's an extremely high bar.

It's not so much about going from under qualified to over qualified, it's more like; this person's qualified yet they still don't have a job (actuarial, at least). Why? Do I want to waste my time finding out when I have a stack of other resumes to go through? It's all about commitment to me. Anything that shows a strong commitment to the profession would make you more employable in my opinion.

[tommie frazier]

people screw up when they are young sometimes. but taking exams and passing them, on some level, shows commitment to the career. so that's one thing they show us. passing them without support after being out of school can also demonstrate newfound maturity.

[vtek]

passing exams is good, but you don't want to be an asa with no actuarial work experience. nobody will want to hire you then as they wont want to give you an asa salary given that you wont be able to perform at that level. just keep applying and doing exams, but by the 3rd one, you should be able to find something.

[bdschobel]

That statement is a little strong. We see more and more people graduating from college at or very near ASA level. In February, I gave an FSA to a bright, young guy (age 22) who had not yet graduated from college (though he had coop work experience). These folks get jobs.

Bruce

[SirVLCIV]

Originally Posted by bdschobel

That statement is a little strong. We see more and more people graduating from college at or very near ASA level. In February, I gave an FSA to a bright, young guy (age 22) who had not yet graduated from college (though he had coop work experience). These folks get jobs.

Bruce

I'll only be near-ASA at graduation (did he pay for all of the exams out of pocket??! I stopped at the prelims)

[vtek]

fair enough. i should have specified that it is not a handicap for fresh grads or current students; it's more of a sign of brilliance in that case. however, the op is a few years out of college so i made that post more with someone in her position in mind.

[bdschobel]

I agree.

Bruce

[justkay]

Sounds like Bruce was talking about a Waterloo grad. US standards don't apply to them

[SirVLCIV]

Originally Posted by justkay

Sounds like Bruce was talking about a Waterloo grad. US standards don't apply to them

Aha!

I would have considered myself a fast tracker after 2006, but given that I'm only now starting the IA after over a year of FAP access...