She did her O-levels from the Convent of Jesus and Mary and A-levels from St.Patrick's high school and she had a love for mathematics from an early age. From being recruited by State Life's Actuarial Training Scheme in December 1996, Agnes Paul became the first female in Pakistan to qualify as an actuary in September 2006. Currently she is an Assistant General Manager in the Actuarial Division of State Life.

How did you come to know about actuarial profession and when did you decide that your future lay in this profession?

I first came to know about what an Actuary was in my grade 10 Commerce class in a brief mention of it by my teacher when we were discussing insurance. But I think at that time I was thinking of a future as a mathematician or an economist.

However, towards the end of that school year, I developed an intense fear of examinations, an almost paralyzing phobia. I didn’t appear for nearly all the O-level mocks, and almost didnt appear for my O-levels. But I had amazing teachers and parents who were very understanding and actually made sure that I attended the papers through plenty of encouragement and patience.

The A-Level years were better but still very stressful during examination season. By the end of it my family and I had decided that I needed something that would have flexibility in exam schedules so that I could appear for papers whenever I felt comfortable and ready for them. At that time my uncle came up with the option of State Life’s Actuarial Training Scheme which he had heard about from a friend. It appeared to be just right, given my love for math, and the perfect opportunity, given my exam phobia.

Another reason for choosing this line was that it was so unheard off which made it instantly appealing to me. I wanted a career that was as different from the expected norm for a commerce student [read MBA] as possible.

Inadvertently I think I chose one of the most challenging professions, and the exams were by no means a piece of cake for me. I am very thankful to God for my family, particularly my mum and my sister, and my colleagues and friends at work for their support and reassuring words and gestures that helped me push through to the end. If it weren’t for them I know that I would not have managed to qualify.

I enjoy the mental challenges of the profession, but I have yet to adjust to the artificial pressures/ expectations of the office environment. I think that I am still in a very juvenile stage regarding the latter which often makes me question my future in the profession, especially as the two seem inseparable.

What is a typical day for you?

On a week day it is simply work and then a winding down process after work in front of the TV, or with a book, or with conversations or a scrabble game with my mum. Weekends encompass activities that take me away from the actuarial and office world, like housework, shopping, reading etc.

What are your leisure activities?

Books are my refuge and I can never understand how some people just don’t love reading. Other than that listening to music on the radio, watching TV, cooking and gardening but only to release stress, and occasional scrabble games or word puzzles with my mother. Also another very important activity is that I am an active member of my church choir and have been for the past 17 years of my life. It has kept me linked to a world other than the actuarial one, which can be so encapsulating especially when you are still in the student phase, given the office hours followed by study time required.

Considering the conventional role of women in the Asian family environment, how is this profession for them?

By conventional role I assume you mean marriage, making a home and raising a family. Personally, I believe that this profession is no different from any other one. You have married women leading successful and happy lives in other professions as doctors, accountants etc. I think that it can be a bit challenging before qualifying as an actuary because of the dual aspects of work and study but once you’re qualified I believe that our women are as capable of handling this profession as any other, as long as they have the support from their families and their spouses.

However, my comments may express my naivety in this regard because I have never been pressured into the traditional role by my family.

If it is good for women then what are the reasons for them not entering the profession?

I think that the main reason is that this profession is still relatively unknown. People in general know very little about it. Maybe the PSOA should consider putting up a stall at the next education expo to create more awareness about the profession.

Also, if you mention that there are only a handful of women in the profession the families tend to get a bit apprehensive because of the fact that their daughters would be in a working environment surrounded by male counterparts. However, in my ten years with State Life I have been treated with respect and dignity and you also learn that many of the concerns, fears and issues that arise are genderless.

Where do you see the Actuarial profession after 10 years from now?

In Pakistan I believe that it will have made more of an inroad in the non traditional fields particularly financial risk management and investments. A number of our current society members have already opened windows for this and in ten years I believe there will be a significant expansion in this area.

What additional skills would be required in actuaries to cope with the future economic scenario?

I believe with the way things are headed, some knowledge in investments and financial risk management would be beneficial.

Any message or words of wisdom for aspiring actuaries?

For those thinking of entering the profession, there should be a commitment and dedication to the profession. Don’t enter if you think this is a short cut to a successful life and big money. Nothing in life that is good is ever a short cut. The profession demands hard work and that’s exactly what should be poured into it both in gaining work experience and in the academic requirements.

And for those who are in the profession and wondering if they have the strength to stick with it, I would like to relate something that I recently read in an article in the readers digest:

Learning a skill is accomplished in 4 stages. The first stage is when you know nothing about it and therefore are no good at it. The second is that you come to learn something about it but are incompetent to perform it. The third phase is that as long as you think carefully and go slowly you can do it. And finally the fourth stage is that the skill becomes so practiced its easy. The secret of getting to stage four is not to give up at stage two.

So don’t give up.

• CONVERSATION WITH SAIYID SAEED AKHTAR