Shaun is a Graduate Trainee Actuary at Isio, and joins me for the next in my early careers mini-series.

In this episode Shaun shares his journey, in order to help people to understand more about the process, and the things they could be doing to increase their chances of successfully starting a career in the actuarial sector.

We discuss:

• Discovering the actuarial profession at an early stage
• Seeking out an actuarial placement for his 2-week work experience at school
• Completing a summer internship with an actuarial firm, who then sold the business!
• Co-founding the QMUL Actuarial Society
• Shaun’s experience of the application process for permanent roles – online assessments and interviews
• Being proactive in developing skills and experience in addition to his degree course

Shaun is a fantastic example of someone who went out of his way to try new things, and to actively develop skills and experience which would help him stand out. I hope you enjoy the conversation!!

Please connect with Shaun here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-marchant-5a770320b/

Mentioned in this episode:

Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email james.turner@turnerperkins.com to arrange a confidential conversation!

TP Website

Rob is a qualified actuary in the pensions sector, and joins us as part of my mini-series focussed on early careers. Rob has lots of experience of the recruitment cycle for actuarial interns and actuarial graduates, and shares his knowledge in the hope of helping aspiring actuaries on the journey to securing their first actuarial role.

We explore:

• Rob’s own experiences of the application process when he began his actuarial career
• Understanding the typical online application stages (CVs, cover letters, psychometric tests etc.)
• Developing skills beyond your degree and using them to your advantage on applications
• Tailoring your applications to each company
• CV reviewing – how are CVs assessed by actuaries?
• Preparing for assessment days and interviews

If you are an aspiring actuary hoping to begin your actuarial career in the coming months or years, this is such an important conversation and thank you very much Rob for sharing your knowledge!!

Please connect with Rob here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-lees-fia-6116057b/

Mentioned in this episode:

Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email james.turner@turnerperkins.com to arrange a confidential conversation!

TP Website

Devan is a Senior Insurance Risk Analyst at Aspen, and Secretary & Director of Staple Inn Actuarial Society. He joins me for the second episode in my early careers mini-series - aimed at helping people to understand how to prepare themselves for securing their first actuarial role.

After learning about how Devan discovered the actuarial profession, we explore his own experience of transitioning from studying Financial Mathematics at university to securing his first actuarial job. We chat about his strategy for applying to over 300 graduate opportunities during his final year, how he tailored his CV and cover letter to each company, what the application process typically consists of, the importance of being resilient, and what he learned through attending interviews.

Devan also shares his views on the importance of finding additional ways to develop your communication and people skills whilst at university, and why this is important for the work of actuaries today.

Please connect with Devan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devan-vadher/

Mentioned in this episode:

Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email james.turner@turnerperkins.com to arrange a confidential conversation!

TP Website