<p>Option A: Actuarial Science and Finance
Option B: Actuarial Science, Economics, and Statistics</p>
<p>Basically the difference is with option A I would be taking management, business law, marketing, etc. along with 3 upper level finance classes. With option B I would be taking more analytical classes like game theory, statistical software, data mining, forecasting economics, etc. </p>
<p>I eventually want to get into a management role (possible more broad than actuarial) later in my career if that helps. What do you think?</p>
<p>Tough to say. The AS/Finance tract will probably prepare you for Exam FM better, but the AS/Statistics tract might prepare you for the Exam P better. As long as the sequences are very math heavy you should be fine. </p>
<p>IMO, the AS/Finance tract will probably be better suited for pension fund type actuary jobs. The AS/Stats tract is probably better suited for insurance actuary jobs. That’s just a educated guess, though.</p>
<p>For the actuary exams (first four - disclosure: I haven’t taken any of them) you need to know probability theory, financial math, theory of interest, derivatives, etc.</p>
<p>I’ve passed P and FM so far, my question is more concerned with my long-term career in general, not just for passing exams. Any input is welcome.</p>
<p>Do you think you would go for a MBA later on for climbing the ladder? If yes, take option B now, all the management, business law, finance etc will be covered in MBA.</p>
<p>I looked into it but math is way to theoretical at the upper levels than what I would ever need. I don’t need real analysis or topology or anything like that for a career as an actuary.</p>
<p>If your goal is to become an actuary, the most important thing is your commitment to passing the exams, which are mostly studied for on your own time. Taking a math-related major just gives you a head-start on the studying but it by no means necessary to become an actuary.
If you can pass all the exams, your major doesn’t matter at all; employers of actuaries only care about how many exams you’ve passed.</p>
<p>Once you get in the real world, your job performance, ability to take control of situations, decision making ability, personality and communication skills will move you up the ladder to management positions. I’m sure many actuaries struggle with a move from an actuary position to a management level position because they don’t have the leadership skill and personality it takes to run a business/division/department/etc.</p>
<p>As a Statistics major myself, I’m good at math but don’t always have the in-depth theory/application knowledge that other “elite” math students in some of my classes have. But when I talk to them about certain situations/problems I realize they have trouble communicating to others (in layman’s terms). Bottom line, their greatest skill set is their ability to take and receive very high scores on math tests. Great test taking skills doesn’t necessarily translate to great every day working skills.</p>
<p>However, I’ve spent the last decade running my own business, managing employees, dealing with clients, analyzing real world problems. I know that I would run circles around those “elite math” students in the real world. </p>
<p>One of the greatest keys to success in any real world job is knowing how to read and deal with people. That’s where the math-a-letes of the world really struggle.</p>
<p>Is that directed at me? I just speak the truth. I’ve read a few other of your posts. You seem to look down at any major that is not your major (whatever that may be).</p>
<p>My guess is somebody with your personality will struggle when they get in the real world.</p>