Actuary as career changer

[exlawyer]

Hi

Does anyone have any advice for a non-numerical graduate looking to re-qualify. As my name suggests I am currently a lawyer but looking for relevant work experience whilst taking first few exams.

Any advice/comments gratefully received!

Exlawyer

 

[tiger]

Hi,
I've transitioned career (from IT, graduated in engineering), currently working towards qualification.
I think you'll need to pass a few exams yourself, especially as your background is non-numerical.
If you haven't done any exams yet, you can sit CT1 as a non-member (how I started).
Happy to answer any more questions.

 

[exlawyer]

Thanks Tiger! How many exams did you do before you got the job you wanted. A recruiter told me yesterday there are people out there with so many exemptions I am looking to have to do up to at least CT5! That's a lot to pay for yourself!!

 

[tiger]

I had passed CT1 to CT5 when I started looking.
By the time it got to 2nd interviews/job offer, I had also passed CT6&7

I don't think lack of exemptions are the problem, but rather demonstrating ability and dedication, since your background is non-numeric.
My employer has hired both graduates with lots of exemptions (CT1-8 +CA1) as well as maths graduates who have only 2 exemptions.

 

[exlawyer]

Cheers Tiger

 

[Hobbs]

Being in the right place at the right time is pretty important. Be proactive and show interest.

I didn't have any CTs when I got my actuarial job (mid-30s). Just a strong programming and maths/physics background.

Edit: obviously, graduate level positions only have graduate-level pay, which can be a painful readjustment...

 

[exlawyer]

Thanks Hobbs. Yes - understand the pay thing. Our of interest what steered you towards your job - was it a case of take what was offered or did you have a specific interest in an area such as pensions. I'm Midlands based so a bit more limited as to choice!

 

[didster]

Don't overlook marketing your legal skills as well.

All too often, we actuaries say "We are not lawyers, contact your lawyers".
You might continue saying this if you're not a practicing lawyer (or just don't want the responsibilty) but the perspective is still valuable.

 

[Hobbs]

Our of interest what steered you towards your job - was it a case of take what was offered or did you have a specific interest in an area such as pensions.

Well, you know... there are only so many accounting system back ends you can write before you start going a bit funny in the head. I live in a slightly regional area, so high-flying programming options don't really exist.
One day I was out walking and happened to fall into conversation with a retired Investment Bank broker, and I realised that the job I'd been vaguely looking around for was "Actuary".

So I shook some trees and changed careers.
I haven't pursued any particular sort of Actuary work - I work in a consultancy, so when specialisation time comes I'll have a look at the market and either choose something I recon will be HUGE, or which will fill a hole in our current skill set.

Read didster's post. Leverage your existing skills. I spend quite a bit of time fixing other people's dubious vba.

 

[tiger]

Don't overlook marketing your legal skills as well.
....

...Read didster's post. Leverage your existing skills. I spend quite a bit of time fixing other people's dubious vba.

+1 to the above.
Your best bet of getting a position is with an employer that sees benefit in your existing experience, that you can bring something more than a graduate who perhaps has a more focused degree or more exemptions.

 

[exlawyer]

Thanks for all your replies! Very helpful indeed.

Exlawyer