<p>I've been looking into the actuarial sciences and have a few questions. What is the associated stress level with the job? What are the hours like? Any general advice/warnings/etc. for someone looking into the field? Thanks!</p>
<p>google actuarial society and you'll find really helpful links.</p>
<p>Actually, I have looked at quite a bit of info coming from Actuarial organizations, beanactuary.com, etc., but it all seems like a giant propoganda campaign, lol! The only negatives I've seen listed are that you need to study for the qualifying test outside of work. Is there anyone (or some website) that can give me a more rounded view of what it's like to be an actuary? Thanks.</p>
<p>Actuarial firms work normal business hours. When you are just starting out, you'll probably work 9-5 or 6ish. But once you have your own accounts, you may have to travel, put in evenings, weekends, etc. </p>
<p>Actuarial work is good, clean work. How stressful could it be? You work in a climate controlled environment, you're not making life-or-death decisions, and it's corporate. In other words, it's not brain surgery. Actuaries play with numbers all day. Sounds like a good gig.</p>
<p>My uncle took the tests to be an actuary, but instead used those skills and applied them to risk management for companies. recently he was offered a position as a director at a hedge fund, but he took another one at a risk advisory firm. So you could really do a lot with those tests. He also said all the actuaries who worked under him lovvvvvvvved math, statistics, etc. There is a cap on how much money you would make, but you really can go many places with those qualifications. He said the tests were really stressful. You have to study a lot, when I was younger and he would come over he'd always bring books and he would always study. Most actuarial firms give you time to study and help you study though.</p>
<p>My cousin is an actuary, he started college at 16 and is still studying for the tests. He was a math major and still thinks the tests are ridiculously hard. You spend a few thousand hours studying for one test...thats disgusting in my opinion.</p>
<p>usually they work for insurance companies, and start off right out of college and are paid better for each section of the test they pass. From what i've read, actuaries have a high level of job satisfaction.</p>