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Ways to Survive the Transition from University to Work
Shifting from student life to a full-time job is a big adjustment, particularly if you haven't planned ahead of time...
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Here are some techniques you can master before joining the industrial world:
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March, 2021
1. Understand the generation gap
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The people you meet at work are not the same as the people you meet on campus, where you are normally all in the same age group. Understanding the generation gap is probably your primary key step.
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How to succeed: Instead of sticking to your usual college conversations, work on your communication skills to develop a rapport with your coworkers and show an interest in what they do. Be polite and mindful of workplace etiquette.
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2. Get used to the routine
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When you join a company, your daily routine and social life change. Instead of spending your weekdays with friends, you now spend them in the office for eight or even more hours.
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How to succeed: Obviously, you went to college for many years in order to land a job in your dream field. Right? This does not, however, imply that there will be no personal life. Maintaining a work-life balance is all that is required. Consume nutritious foods, exercise to combat the effects of stress, and make the most of weekend leisure time.
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3. Plan a budget
Yes, you may want to plan expensive trips, purchase designer clothing, and rent a nice apartment, but budgeting is crucial. Many young professionals lack the skills to manage their costs, and as a result, they are unable to save any significant amount of money.
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How to succeed: Simple steps like calculating your monthly income, adding up fixed expenses, setting a financial goal, and tracking your budget are all part of budgeting. Remember that good decisions made at this stage will lead to positive outcomes.
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4. Seek new responsibilities
Finding new challenges inside your job and working on them keeps you excited and self-motivated,
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How to succeed: Finding and embracing new opportunities will undoubtedly assist you in making a career change. This also paves the way for you to learn something new (professionally).
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5. Have patience and be effective
Do not stray from your professional path. Young minds are often eager to advance professionally right away. It is unlikely that you will be promoted at your current job right away. So, it is crucial to be patient
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How to succeed: Take your initial time to understand all these factors and work on your skills development to add to your credentials. Being effective at work always pay off in your career development. But how can you ensure that you don’t miss any opportunity, and become more effective at work? This can be achieved by following a holistic approach that includes identifying priorities, maintaining a positive attitude, building essential skills, and most importantly, learning while working. Workplace learning plays a crucial role in skill development.
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6. Have a back-up plan
Remember, your first job will not last forever. Sometimes you would want to move on with a new job or some unexpected situations may arise, such as layoffs. Hence, it is imperative to get a backup plan (also known as career emergency plan) for your career.
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How to succeed: Keep yourself abreast of market demands to beat the stiff competition. Understanding and developing the skills employers are looking for is one of them. Whichever job role or sector you choose to work in, it is always important to choose a job that does not conflict with your career goals.
This is just the beginning and you have miles to walk. Your destination (success) is certainly not too far!
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Good luck.
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Challenges in the Workplace
Fresh Graduates, Get Yourselves Ready to Face this Challenges in the Workplace!
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March, 2021
1) Getting tired on the first week
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‘What a tiring day!’, getting to know your colleagues, know your work, learn the processes, find lunch buddies; you will be overwhelmed.
Thankfully, this is just a transition period and you will eventually meet some new friends which will support you through the day.
2)Hit by light stress
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In the beginning, you might find it difficult to meet particular targets set by your supervisor. You should also expect that your job is not as straightforward as the theories you learnt in college. These are all the signs of stress which you will definitely face at the start when everything is new.
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3)Difficulty in managing time
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What a busy day! When one task is completed, many others are piling up and waiting for your attention. Time management is undeniably one of the most important skills during work.
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4)Getting tired of the work environment
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Work environment and co-workers could be the reason for you to be excited and tired at the same time. You might find it tough if there may be conflicts arising from differences in working style or habits.
All you need to do is just stay wise and be professional at all times.
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5)The grass is greener on the other side
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You meet up with your classmate and he proudly tell you about his new job. Feeling a little bit envious, you might regret about your current job.
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Do recognise that every job has its own pros and cons. The grass might not always be always greener on the other side.
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Importance of Python Programming for Actuaries
For many actuarial positions, programming will likely be a big part of your job, especially in the early years. To learn more about the importance of python programming to actuaries, please visit
April, 2021
Basically, programming is just using a series of commands (called code) to tell the computer to implement a specific task.
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There are two primary reasons that actuaries need to know how to code (or program).
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1) Large amounts of data
First is because we’re always dealing with so much data. On any given project, we may have just 10 pieces of data for each policyholder. Or, we may have 100! It all depends on the project and what we’re trying to obtain from the data. we may have thousands of policyholders it would take weeks of time for one person to manually accomplish this task. So, instead, that person could take 4-5 hours creating a code that could do it for them, saving tons of employee time and therefore company money too.
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2) Recurring tasks
The second reason actuaries use programming is to automate recurring tasks that would otherwise need to be done manually.
For example, in valuation positions where you’re calculating actuarial reserves, the are lots of processes that need to be completed each month or quarter. So, rather than having to do those processes manually each time, it would be far more efficient to create a code that can run and do all the work for us.
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Then, as the actuary, you’d just have to click a button and review the output of the code for reasonability and accuracy.
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This saves tons of time which allows the actuary to be able to meet strict deadlines, it reduced mistakes, and it also gives the actuary more time to practice good due diligence and ensure that the results of their work seem reasonable.
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An Actuarial Science Student’s Year in a Pandemic
This article illustrates a student’s life sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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May, 2021
Taylor Geppert is an ordinary Actuarial Science student. At first, he thought that it was fun to not have to wake up and walk to class but eventually he realised that it was really hard to not lose motivation to study after a few weeks of online studies.
There were some positives of having to adapt to all these changes including being able to re-watch the lectures, stress of the test was minimized, learning more about our own study habits, and so on.
The article also describes Taylor's school actuarial science club that faced the challenge on how to host recruiting events and a career fair in the pandemic. The career fair became virtual, and the internship interviewing process for most companies has also been conducted virtually.
Approaching the end of 2020, Taylor realized the pandemic gave him a lot of time to reflect. He learned more about his studying habits, and that change can be a positive thing.These were all positive changes. Although there were downsides, the pandemic pushed us all to evolve and find new ways of doing things.
A quote from Taylor Geppert: The future is uncertain, but it is what you make of it.
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Actuaries Speak: Perspectives On Communication Skills
Here is a roundtable interview with three actuarial leaders who share their unique perspectives on communication skills.
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May, 2021
Actuaries should be able to communicate and lead effectively, and these skills have become more important than ever. In this interview, three women actuaries, with diverse backgrounds, share their thoughts and advice on how “actuaries speak”.
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Heather Sligh, FSA, MAAA is a pricing actuary for Standard Insurance Company.
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Anna (Yimeng) Wu, FSA works for a model validation team and has previous experience with variable annuity (VA) risk reporting and market consistent value of new business (MCVNB) consolidation.
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Beibei Li, ASA, MAAA is a specialist leader with Deloitte Consulting’s Actuarial & Insurance Solutions Group.
These 3 actuarial leaders elaborate on what inspired them to delve in the actuarial fields and describe a typical workday in their life. They emphasized on the importance of communications skills as the role of an actuary involves communicating extensively with various people in the field. They equally share about the aspects of communication that they found really challenging. Mrs Sling explains that understanding and listening skills are key aspects in the communication process. She quoted “It’s important to make sure all parties can engage in the conversation.”
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, most actuarial firms have resorted to remote working, which is another challenge on its own. Mrs Li says that she finds herself increasing the number and length of meetings, especially with managing and coaching junior employees. In addition, the quality of communication has improved compared to the early days of the pandemic as firms get more flexible with remote working.
Therefore, communication skills are primordial for actuaries to excel in their fields. As quoted by Mrs Sling, “leaders must develop the skill of being able to facilitate communication that matters. To guide the organization forward, they must be active listeners and empower members of the organization to identify and solve problems.”
Effective Studying Habits to Ace the Actuarial Professional Exams
Here are some valuable tips on how to ace your actuarial professional exams!
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June, 2021
Did you know that studying hard is one of the worst studying habits that you can employ when it comes to your actuarial exams? As a student, you may think that the key towards passing your exams is to study real hard and by burning the midnight candle.
However, in reality, studying hard will just leave you feeling burnt out and demotivated in the long run. The trick towards passing the actuarial exams is to study smart. Give yourself ample time to prepare for the exam by starting your exam preparations early. Don’t waste your time trying to solve as many practice problems as you can or attempting questions that are extremely difficult. Instead, analyze each practice problem that you do and determine areas in which you are weak at or are struggling with.
Your goal in the actual exam is to solve each question accurately and efficiently. Therefore, try to determine what the most efficient approach is to solve each particular problem during your exam preparations. Hence, it is important to implement some good study techniques which will allow you to give the best of yourself!
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How to Prepare for Actuarial Exams in the Best Way
Passing the actuarial exams requires many hours of dedicated study time with the right resources for your learning style. Here are some tips to prepare yourself better in Actuarial Exams.
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June, 2021
1. Don’t underestimate the necessary amount of time and study preparation
Many first-time actuarial students will simply not have enough time to cover the amount of material tested in the exam because they always underestimate the amount of study time needed to pass their first exam, or overconfident due to their great arithmetic ability.
2. Start preparing early
It is recommended to start preparing at least 8 weeks prior to any actuarial professional exam. The exams may be immensely rigorous and are professionally designed to test knowledge of the material at a very high level.
3. Take one exam at a time
Make sure that you have passed, or are nearly certain of passing one actuarial professional exam before beginning your studies for the next paper of level of the exam.
4. Take advantage of available resources
Many first-time students are completely unaware that a huge number of materials are available to help them prepare for each exam. Students may make full use of any resources available online which are beneficial for them in their exam.
5. Obtain the right study materials
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Students can save a huge amount of time and energy, and significantly increase their odds of passing their first exam by purchasing affordable and supplemental actuarial study materials.There are many competing products offered by distinguished actuarial authors and publishers, detailed research is recommended to be done, in order to avoid making the “wrong” choice.
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1. Lack of Motivation and Concentration
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Getting a qualification from university does not guarantee you a job but provides us better opportunities to find a job. If you decide to work but are unsatisfied with your work, you always have the choice to study in a university. If you decide to study in a university, you must not lose your motivation/concentration, if not, you may choose to work where you can earn money and gain experiences.
2. Fairness, Justice and Satisfaction
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We know that most jobs are boring as the task is repeated every day. We might be overwhelmed and lose our enthusiasm after a few months of working. On the other hand, university provides new tasks, lessons and knowledge for us to learn. If money does not play a great role for you, then university will give you satisfaction compared to work.
3. Money or Time
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Ask yourself, do you want more time or more money? Which comes first? Do you wish to study and have a long vacation like school holidays or you wish to have a fixed income? If you are still unsure of which is your priority then you may choose the choice that seems less worse to you.
Below are some key takeaways from the article:
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“Nobody knows what is the best to do, but you can try. As long as we live, we can do both. The important thing is that you are satisfied, not the others. You are alone. With your choice.”
Why Should You Join a Club as a Committee Member?
Wondering whether you should form part of a club’s committee or not? Here are 5 reasons why you should!
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November, 2021
1. Experience
Being a committee member can give you a corporate-like experience. Clubs function as a company, obviously at a smaller level. For all those students who don’t have any experience of working in the corporate world and want to get the feel of the same, clubs and Board of committees are the perfect places for you! You will learn how to market an event (similar to marketing a product), manage finances, taking care of operations and most importantly managing people. All these things will keep you on your toes, and you will be able to think on your feet. So, this can be a great opportunity for you to gain some practical experience before joining the corporate world.
2. Networking
Clubs and committees provide students with many amazing opportunities to network with other students, faculties and industry stalwarts. Being a part of them, you would be exposed to people from different industries and be able to make a lot of valuable contacts, which will definitely help you down the line.
3. Resume building
For those who think that they don’t have much to write on their resume, clubs and committees’ activities are perfect opportunities to expand your resumes. Mentioning the activities and events organized by you along with the position held by you in the particular club or committee always look good in the resume. All these things reflect a positive outlook of yours in front of employees and show them that you participated or lead a student organization, and they consider you as a potential candidate who is hardworking and capable of holding multiple responsibilities. It gives you an edge over other students.
4. Skills development
Clubs and Board of Committees are the best places to showcase your hidden skills or talents or learn new ones. They not only help you in developing soft skills, i.e. skills that will help you to interact with others both in individual and in large groups but also help you develop other skills such as leadership, learning how to work in groups, and most importantly, you will get to know a lot more about yourself and your capabilities.
5. Have fun
Apart from all the learning and development, clubs and committees are also great places to have fun. Meeting new people, making new friends and engaging in a lot of cool activities is fun, which you don’t want to miss while in a B-school. They give you a break from your regular routine of pre-readings, assignments, surprise test etc and provide many opportunities to party hard. In fact, clubs and committees host the best end of year parties, with great food, drinks and people. What more do you need to make the best of your university life?
How to Set New Goals for the New Year?
2022 is coming soon, let's learn how to set the new year goals together! Here are 7 tips for all of us to set new intentions for the new year!
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November, 2021
1. Reflect on the wins and losses of the last year
Take a minute to reflect on this year’s ups and downs and give yourself a well-deserved credit for making it thus far. By beginning with appreciation, you would know that your past and present pave the road for your future.
2. Start small and get specific
When you have a big goal, you should separate it into a few smaller steps or habits. You could consume “Smart” goal-setting, which stands for “specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timebound.” If you want to accomplish a big goal, set due dates and deadlines for yourself to stay on track.
3. Find your why
Before setting your new year’s goal, you should ask yourself what do you want to achieve this year and the reason for setting the goals. It is because intrinsic motivation will make you have a strong desire to attain a goal. According to psychologists, tapping into your intrinsic motivation is crucial to achieving your intentions.
4. Set a theme for the year
You should only focus on one theme for the new year’s goal because setting many goals seems overwhelming. For instance, you may pick your theme using the word ‘growth’. Hence, you could make a note of it and display it everywhere in your sight.
5. Write monthly intentions
Since you have big goals in a year, you could list down your intention each month according to each stage. It is because you could assure your monthly intentions have been completed on track in order to achieve your whole year’s goals.
6. Enlist an accountability partner
Although the majority of motivations come from yourself, the supervision of others will help you stay on track. According to Women’s Health, a person who tells someone else about his goals will have a 65 percent probability of achieving them. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to seek the assistance of a close friend to assist you in achieving your goals.
7. Reward yourself
When you have reached a milestone you set in your planner, you should give yourself a gift such as a luxury meal, a movie night, or even a trip somewhere you desire to go. This is due to the celebration of little achievements throughout the whole year will assist you in remaining on track and achieving your long-term goals.