Hi, I've been working for a large business and IT consultancy for the past 8 months since I left university. I chose this path because I wanted a job in business and I'm good with people and I thought it'd be a good place to start and get to know what's out there. However I've realised that I really miss Maths and am considering that I may be better placed with a more analytical career such as actuarial. If I were to apply for actuarial places I'd prefer to do it as soon as possible, as I know the exams can take years and I don't want to have to take a salary cut if I'm to start again at graduate level. I have a first from Oxford in Maths and a masters in mathematical biology with a research placement in Microbiological Risk Assessment. So.. here are the questions: a) IS an actuarial career mathematical or is it more a case of plugging numbers into predefined models? As a mathematician I find that I am more interested in how to answer problems than what the answer is. b) will employers be unwilling to consider me if I have only stuck at my original career for 1/1.5 years? Are there any types of role I can pursue within management consultancy that will make my decision seem more logical? Thanks in advance!
a) I'm afraid an actuarial career won't sate your mathematical desires. I'm a mathematician and found the level of mathematics in the day job very low indeed. Also, given your background, you will find the Mathematical exams (CTs) very easy indeed. I took a Masters in Maths in my spare time to keep up my interest in the subject. If I could turn back time, I'd have done a PhD in something interesting like Number Theory. But, at least actuarial work pays well! b) Shouldn't be a problem if my answer to a) hasn't put you off!
