FASS presents: What they never tell you in a careers talk Monday 20 November Room CMS.01

Agenda About us Applying for jobs Interviews/Assessment days University to work transition Typical life as an actuarial student Exams Study/life balance

About us FASS Why we are here The panel

Applying for jobs Career choice How do you choose –Your ambitions –Specialist/Generalist –Opportunities you would like to have –What environment you thrive in –What can you cope with What is available –Investment Banking –Life Office –Consultancy –General Insurance –Reinsurance –Contracting

Application forms What you already know What you may not know

Interviews/Assessment days To do well –Be yourself! What does this really mean?

Interviews/Assessment days What to expect A whole battery of tests –Aptitude test –Psychological test –Verbal reasoning –Diagramatic analysis Interview Case Study Group exercise Presentation Lunch

University to work transition The goods Salary Weekend Study days Job satisfaction The bads The taxman 9am starts 23 days holiday each year Exams Mortgage But its not all that bad!

Typical life as an actuarial student Work Study Sleep

Typical life as an actuarial student – your questions answered

Exams The Facts Exams are spilt into three stages –CT’s (equivalent to exemptions) –ST’s/CA’s –SA’s Pass rates –50% for CT’s –30% for ST’s/CA’s/SA’s Key to exam success –10% luck –20% memory –70% technique

Study/life balance My study allowance –1 day off each week –2 days off prior to exam –Cash balance to buy material What techniques worked for me –Start early in term –Read course material –Make my own notes –Block tutorials –Mock exams from ActEd –Past exams papers But everyone is different – do what is right for you!

Study/life balance Is it possible to still have a life? I studied –In the mornings before work –At lunchtime (Smart Revise) –Study mornings/afternoons –Saturday/Sunday mornings Top tips –Do not cram –Be positive –Be aware of peaks/troughs in your workload –Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Where can we go for help? Careers office Lecturers Mentors Inside Careers booklet Contacts in the profession Company websites

Any questions?

Anyone thirsty?