How did you come to know about the actuarial profession?

I came to know about the actuarial profession through a relative. On further investigation, I found it to be different and challenging so I decided to give it a go.

What other professions did you consider before making the final decision of joining this profession?

Since I knew about the actuarial profession before my Intermediate examination, I was always intent on joining the actuarial field. However, I also joined FAST ICS for a brief period before joining actuarial training scheme at State Life. So if I hadn't joined State Life, I would probably have gone on to become an IT professional.

You have moved from State Life to NJI Life. In terms of work and working environment, did you find it difficult to adjust?

Both the institutions have their own learning opportunities. In State Life there was a very well established Actuarial Division which provided an opportunity to learn from seniors while progessing through examinations. The conventional life insurance portfolio of State Life allowed me to apply the traditional actuarial pricing and valuation techniques. However, I felt that the exposure to other areas of life insurance was limited in State Life. NJI provides me the opportunity to work in a dynamic work environment where I am involved in all lines of business - conventional, unit linked, group life, health and pensions. Furthermore, interaction with other departments is also much more fluid and direct.

How do you manage to work and study at the same time?

They have to be managed, so they are managed.

You are mostly involved in the traditional actuarial fields. In what other 'wider' fields you think actuaries can contribute?

I am of the opinion that actuaries are very adept at analyzing and evaluating risks - both in traditional areas and outside the traditional area of practice. I think actuaries can make very useful contributions in banking, investment and risk management areas.

Do you really think that it is difficult to explain people, not belonging to the actuarial profession, what exactly actuaries do?

Yes, it is. I guess everyone has come up with a watered down easy to gulp version of what an actuary does and utilises this to explain the actuarial profession. I just say (what I have been told by someone when inquiring about the profession) that it is like chartered accountancy - only a bit more difficult and requiring more studies.

How is the actuarial profession for the women?

The profession has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. I feel that it is wrong to generalise a profession based on gender. Personal preferences and attitute play the most important part in a profession. For me actuarial profession is very challenging, rewarding and I have found no problem pursuing it.