Actuarial Track With Best Market Right Now For Entry Level (1-4 exams) ?

[Jerry Cornelius]

I have a middle aged friend who was an actuarial student about 18 years ago, passed about 4 exams and then quit to become a computer programmer. He is thinking about going back to actuarial, but needs to get a job quickly because he has two children to support. So, what would be the best track specialty for him to target ?

[Locrian]

Where's my "all of the above" option?

Or maybe a "Apply to everything and take what you get" option would be more accurate.

[Jerry Cornelius]

Originally Posted by Locrian

Where's my "all of the above" option?

Or maybe a "Apply to everything and take what you get" option would be more accurate.

You would think just target all tracks equally and see what happens. However, I personally know of situations where people were delayed getting entry level jobs for more than a year, because they did not realize which specialty area was hot at the time.

Believe it or not, it can make big difference in a recession.

[RateMe]

Originally Posted by Jerry Cornelius

I have a middle aged friend who was an actuarial student about 18 years ago, passed about 4 exams and then quit to become a computer programmer. He is thinking about going back to actuarial, but needs to get a job quickly because he has two children to support. So, what would be the best track specialty for him to target ?

He talking to the site sponsors? Think they can help best with this query...

[Jerry Cornelius]

Originally Posted by RateMe

He talking to the site sponsors? Think they can help best with this query...

He has not yet begun an actuarial job search, or even definitely decided to go for it. But he is currently unemployed and has been searching for other types of jobs.

[Vorian Atreides]

Originally Posted by Jerry Cornelius

You would think just targe all tracks equally and see what happens. However, I personally know of situations where people were delayed getting entry level jobs for more than a year, because they did not realize which specialty area was hot at the time.

Believe it or not, it can make big difference in a recession.

The situation you described doesn't negate the advice "apply everywhere and take what turns up". The key here is knowing "everywhere" . . . which isn't limited to any particular "hot spots".

From what I've seen in the industry, the actuarial field isn't quite as prone to "hot spots" compared to other corporate career paths one might pursue. More specifically, I don't think that there has really been any particular "hot field" at any given time . . . rather, specific companies might decide to expand in a particular direction, but they often are looking for experienced actuaries rather than fresh recruits.

[Vorian Atreides]

Originally Posted by Jerry Cornelius

He has not yet begun an actuarial job search, or even definitely decided to go for it. But he is currently unemployed and has been searching for other types of jobs.

Unless he's passed some Exams, I doubt that he'll be considered for any particular track of actuarial work.

[bertuary]

If he passed the exams years ago, he's going to need to get another exam under his belt to convince anyone that he's committed to switching careers.

[tommie frazier]

i agree with "any and all" option.

disagree that he needs another exam to demonstrate he is serious. he needs to interview well and communicate that he is serious.

[DW Simpson]

Originally Posted by Jerry Cornelius

I have a middle aged friend who was an actuarial student about 18 years ago, passed about 4 exams and then quit to become a computer programmer. He is thinking about going back to actuarial, but needs to get a job quickly because he has two children to support. So, what would be the best track specialty for him to target ?

Location? What was his prior actuarial discipline?