Graduating soon and worried I won't find employment

[SyZ]

Hi, this is my first post here, I've read some various threads in several forums and there is good information here; I'm just curious what people think my chances are at finding employment when I graduate.

A highly summarized history: I entered a top 25 US school in 03, floundered for 3 years without really going to class or studying until I was kicked out because my cum gpa was 2.2 and I fell under a 2.0 for 2 consecutive quarters. Did nothing for 3 years other than find out I have high-functioning autism/Aspergers. Found work as a production assistant and worked for a year by some miracle, then was unable to find work again. 6 months later (last summer) I took the courses required to be readmitted, and have since received all A's. My major is statistics, and my major gpa is 3.9 (All As in the stats courses and a B in a lower div pre-req from my 2.2 gpa days.) I have no actuarial exams passed because until three weeks ago I was so focused on just trying to graduate I wasn't looking at a career. Based on being very shy and reserved and not really able to go into consulting or research, and the fact that the probability courses I've taken and math in general are my strongest area, a career as an actuary seems like my best choice. Now that I'm hopefully done with school in June, I realize that I'm so far behind in terms of becoming an actuary I might not be able to find work. So my three thoughts of how I might end up are:

1) (Desirable) Be given a shot based on the top 25 school rep, the 4.0 since returning, and a rough plan to pass exams including hopefully the next one in May (before I graduate in June) which would give me 1 exam passed and no internships.

2) (More realistic) Hopefully pass the first exam in May, be given a paid internship over summer where I learn the profession and study for a second exam which I pass later in the year, so when that's done I have the two exams + an internship under my belt

3) (What I'm fearing will happen) Graduate, be able to find nothing and just independently study for a year while I hopefully pass the first three exams, all while living at home and having no income. Then hopefully get a real position rather than an internship, and at this point if I don't enjoy the field I'm really in a bad spot ...

So, sorry for the long post. But do I have any legitimate shot at scenario 1 there? Or is scenario 2 much more probable and (god forbid) I never end up at 3). Also, will my HFA/Aspergers prevent me from being able to do my job? Thanks for any responses

[George L. Costanza]

4 = 3+ work full time. The more math, data, and office related the better. Pass exams and apply for jobs the whole time.

[kmbrunskill]

Find any job, and pass as many exams as possible quickly. If you are serious then I suggest writing two in the next sitting, given you have already taken some relevant courses and have a strong math background.

1) would be quite rare. Employers tend to favour exams, perhaps unfairly, perhaps not. It does however, give a strong indication of your desire to pursue the career, so get em done.

Don't go unemployed and solely study for exams. I think that is a poor choice.

[bertuary]

Originally Posted by kmbrunskill

Don't go unemployed and solely study for exams. I think that is a poor choice.

To have your best shot at getting a full time actuarial position these days, you need 2+ exams and an internship. You need to make choices to get as close to that ideal as possible.

PS. It will be next to impossible to get an internship once you've already graduated.

[Streetlight 22]

I agree with everyone except for sitting for 2 exams this coming sitting. Most people fail their first actuarial exam the first time around, and only studying for 1 will give you the best chance of passing

[DanielSong39]

Originally Posted by SyZ

Hi, this is my first post here, I've read some various threads in several forums and there is good information here; I'm just curious what people think my chances are at finding employment when I graduate.

A highly summarized history: I entered a top 25 US school in 03, floundered for 3 years without really going to class or studying until I was kicked out because my cum gpa was 2.2 and I fell under a 2.0 for 2 consecutive quarters. Did nothing for 3 years other than find out I have high-functioning autism/Aspergers. Found work as a production assistant and worked for a year by some miracle , then was unable to find work again.

Any chance you can parlay your previous position into a new job? That might be your best shot.

FYI, it took me two years to find a full-time actuarial position. I think you'll be facing a similar timeline. On the plus side, you actually have real work experience (I was a graduate student the whole time), so at least you'll be able to work full-time in the meantime.

In the next 2-3 years you should be able to complete your preliminaries and obtain valuable work experience. Your chances of landing an actuarial role will skyrocket after that.

Of course, you should be applying for actuarial positions in the meantime. It's very possible to find a position sooner than 2-3 years.

[johnny storm]

Agree with bertuary. Internships are very valuable, right or wrong (there's plenty of threads on that question). It will be almost impossible for you to get one, so you need to look for a job that sounds like an internship - i.e., something that at least can be sold as actuarial.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

I'm cleaning up in this thread!!

Advice in the sig line, OP. And everyone else giving this advice without referencing the source owes me a quarter.

[DataDan]

Résumé Advice: Have a good and interesting answer to every item on it for the interviews.
Law of Job Offers: You not only have to qualify for the position, but you also have to be the best candidate available for the offer.

::pays dtfn 50cents::

[Peetie Skunk]

Originally Posted by SyZ

I have no actuarial exams passed because until three weeks ago I was so focused on just trying to graduate I wasn't looking at a career.

Did you not realize that you had to go get a job after school? I wouldn't mention this as a reason you don't have any exams to an employer. It sounds like poor career planning.