Will I get an internship? - Page 3

MISTA JOJO · #21 11-01-2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Student Life

Lastly, have you followed up with emails to folks in the SOA directory at the companies you have applied to online? You shouldn't have trouble getting through an HR screen based on your qualifications, but it generally doesn't hurt to have an actuary's eyes on your resume in case something is holding you back.

Actually I haven't done this. How is this done? Just email an actuary from the company I'm looking at and asking them to take a look at my resume?

The companies were fairly large, among the largest insurers. I had an adequate answer for every question and, I think, some great questions to ask them. I read that you're supposed to turn the interview into a conversation, if possible, and I felt I was able to do that. I did my best to plan out every potential question they would ask me so I wouldn't get myself "caught in a rut", too.

But what gets me is that they want someone who is communicative and quantitative, and I think my working background is perfect -- being a TA/grader and a tutor. Frankly it's hard for me to imagine someone who would be better qualified other than someone simply having more exams.

The Student Life · #22 11-01-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MISTA JOJO

Actually I haven't done this. How is this done? Just email an actuary from the company I'm looking at and asking them to take a look at my resume?

The companies were fairly large, among the largest insurers. I had an adequate answer for every question and, I think, some great questions to ask them. I read that you're supposed to turn the interview into a conversation, if possible, and I felt I was able to do that. I did my best to plan out every potential question they would ask me so I wouldn't get myself "caught in a rut", too.

But what gets me is that they want someone who is communicative and quantitative, and I think my working background is perfect -- being a TA/grader and a tutor. Frankly it's hard for me to imagine someone who would be better qualified other than someone simply having more exams.

At the biggest of the biggest insurers, you have a few things going on at once. One is that many have strong ties to various universities, and students from those places may get preference. Note they generally hire outside of that, though.

You're also competing with the top candidates in the country. Don't think for a minute that there aren't 100 people put there that have a similar GPA, 1 or 2 exams, and activity that really stands out on their resume. I, for example, had an exam, similar GPA, was a math tutor, and a part-time ski instructor. I also taught a review/study session for exam p. This was five years ago. I did not end up with an internship at NY Life. Or at Pru. Or at Met Life. Or at (insert name of large insurer here). I worked at a regional health insurer that summer.

This is not meant to discourage you, just give you an idea of what things are like. You are a strong candidate. Not the best though.

The biggest thing I learned from my experience was that I was too confident, almost an a-hole. Someone that interviewed me as an intern candidate told me that. When I was an entry level full timer. At a huge insurer. That turned me down the previous year.

Anyways, just keep at it! Good things will come, even this year. Keep your options open. Apply to more than 20 places. Apply to 100 places. Apply to consulting firms. Re: cold emailing an actuary, I will see what I can dig up here. I know there are some old threads with good guidance. Possibly even one of the sticky threads in this forum. Keep up the confidence, ask yourself if you sound like a smart-azz, and you will be in great shape.

KUUUUUUU · #23 11-01-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MISTA JOJO

Actually I haven't done this. How is this done? Just email an actuary from the company I'm looking at and asking them to take a look at my resume?

The companies were fairly large, among the largest insurers. I had an adequate answer for every question and, I think, some great questions to ask them. I read that you're supposed to turn the interview into a conversation, if possible, and I felt I was able to do that. I did my best to plan out every potential question they would ask me so I wouldn't get myself "caught in a rut", too.

But what gets me is that they want someone who is communicative and quantitative, and I think my working background is perfect -- being a TA/grader and a tutor. Frankly it's hard for me to imagine someone who would be better qualified other than someone simply having more exams.

I actually know a decent amount of people applying this year for internships that had jobs/internships that is somewhat relevant to the field (finance, risk, etc) in addition to exams + gpa. As for math tutor, I'm pretty sure 99% of Math/AS majors all had one tutoring job or another at some point in their lives...

MISTA JOJO · #24 11-02-2011, 01:43 PM

Is this what all students go through? Strain yourself to get straight-A's (god forbid you get one A-), spend half your free time working every week, and try to squeeze out exam study time from the residual? Seriously my social life soared right out of the window because of all this study/work time. I have been doing this for like a year, delving right into the exam process, AND I have to completely sell myself for even a taste of actuarial work?
Don't get me wrong: I don't mean to complain here; I'm not saying this is too much to handle and I know things will get harder after I get hired. But how much more can I do? I just thought that my extreme work load would at least provide me some kind of offer by now. It's much easier to keep pushing when you have results.
Maybe I'm just shocked because I am doing much, much better than the other actuarial students here. I have yet to meet another soul at this school who has passed an exam. Needless to say, if I'm struggling with my diligence, they don't have a pinch of a chance.
I suppose I just need to reevaluate where I stand. But I'll take your guys' advice and keep pushing. Thanks for the support I really appreciate it.

Ionic Order · #25 11-02-2011, 01:55 PM

There's a fair amount of exaggeration on this board regarding employment in the actuarial field, especially from those who failed to get a job because of some problem that they don't recognize, and those who are academic over-achievers and have the illusion that employers have to beg them to accept their job offers.

The Student Life · #26 11-02-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiLine

There's a fair amount of exaggeration on this board regarding employment in the actuarial field, especially from those who failed to get a job because of some problem that they don't recognize, and those who are academic over-achievers and have the illusion that employers have to beg them to accept their job offers.

This is the point I was trying to make. Additionally, I have an issue with being direct and clear in communicating. I like to tell a long story when a short summary is sufficient.

I'm not suggesting that this is you, only that it is possible. 1 exam and 3.75 is plenty to get an internship, just keep sending out those resumes!