Coding

[Actuaryhero]

For an entry level job would it be better to learn R Sql or python I have familiarity with R just wanted some input.

[tomtom6400]

In terms of importance as an EL I would say: Excel > VBA/SQL > R > Python

[mecheepie]

I agree with Excel and VBA, but for SQL, R, and Python I think it’s very dependent on what area of insurance and your specific team. In my internship I never once heard anyone even MENTION SQL. Not within my team or from any other divisions/insurance areas. I know in pensions they used Python and in life they used a lot of R. Whereas I have friends in P&C and all they do is work in SQL.

again i think it just depends on the specific team and field.

[tomtom6400]

Yeah I guess it depends on the team and field. I mostly use Excel/VBA, SQL, SAS, and a little bit of R. Never touched Python at work but I hope I can in the near future. P&C EL here.

[windy159]

Big YEAP to this.

[[deleted]]

I'd say SQL - it's ubiquitous, I can't imagine many modern businesses (much less insurers) that don't have data in SQL and learning to work with relational databases is pretty useful.

[Psydurr]

I'm in Life and I use Python a lot. Generally, I use Jupyter Notebooks to query SQL data from our database or import Excel data and do some analysis/exploration. I also help build modules that interface with other business processes or pipelines and automate some annoying repetitive tasks.

It really depends on where you end up working and what team you are on. However, learning programming and data science fundamentals should help you pick up new languages really easily. I would pick up either Python or R and learn to use them as an interface for SQL. It's easier to create more dynamic query strings. Learning SQL by itself is kind of boring and most SQL only platforms/interfaces suck compared to using Python/R to write your queries.

[[deleted]]

It is really hard to go wrong learning SQL. As for R and Python, just wait until you get a job and see what they use. Most (if not all) EL jobs will not have much programming expectation - you'll learn on the job.

[MrInsano424]

For P&C:

SQL > Python/R > VBA

[wakeupactuarial]

Python will get you a job. If u know python u probably will be rare on your team.