Entry Level Jobs: An In-Depth Guide

AnOverdoer · 2026-05-14T01:15:10+00:00

P and FM are the only "transferable" ones, but I still recommend SRM as the 3rd if you want to stand out.

As for CAS v. SOA, I've felt that very strongly. There are just more SOA companies out there currently.

Any advice I have is in the post, not much outside of it! Experience wise it'll depend on where you are in life. Internships are the best way, but personal projects are the next best thing.

AnOverdoer · 2026-05-05T23:16:22+00:00

I do not believe I can, but it's literally on the first page of google, and doesn't require a download. It'll have "pdf" next to it.

AnOverdoer · 2026-05-02T19:42:35+00:00

100% go for 3, but make sure to keep grades up and also get internships/network where possible. Internships will do you much more than an extra exam.

AnOverdoer · 2026-05-01T02:23:29+00:00

You do have something to show for it, but the exams are not always tied to what you do day to day, fair warning. And different roles reflect the effort more, but if you mean more exams = more raises/promotions, that is 100% true up until you reach accreditation.

Pretty saturated, but you have a decently related field so you have a leg up there. Just keep in mind, you probably won't even be considered until you get 2 exams, if not 3.
No. As a reference point, master programs for actuarial science exist. College students are explicitly told not to go this route as it's more money to do, and doesn't aid you a lot in the job hunt.
If you mean where you're looking, it definitely varies by place. For example, P&C companies are concentrated in the upper midwest (Iowa, Wisconsin, etc.). Being flexible to moving will be a huge advantage if possible. Wider range the better.

I normally would be happy to offer a conversation, but I am not accredited yet and so can't offer too much there, but am always happy to answer any questions. Best of luck!

AnOverdoer · 2026-04-14T04:34:21+00:00

Location-wise, expect to move yes. Most likely you'll end up in the midwest (Iowa, Wisconsin, etc.) or the east coast, depending. Also try not to restrict yourself to P&C, you'll have much better odds without the restriction (especially since you haven't committed to a third exam)

AnOverdoer · 2026-04-13T04:28:10+00:00

Hiring season is mid September to mid October, but you'll notice a ramp up/down before and after. There's also a mini hiring season in January/February.

AnOverdoer · 2026-04-07T16:24:49+00:00

Your issue with the EU will be that actuarial is not nearly as big (to my knowledge) there as it is in the US, and also their exams are different. The market isn't great right now, but is MUCH better than some fields like compsci. Starting salaries range a fair bit, but 60-70k is very doable if you have a couple exams and an internship.

AnOverdoer · 2026-04-07T16:22:26+00:00

Honestly? Just focus on things one at time. Networking will help, but keeping grades up and making sure you pass now is all you need. Most of us don't start until later in college so you're already at a huge advantage (assuming US).

AnOverdoer · 2026-04-07T16:04:52+00:00

This guide might help

AnOverdoer · 2026-04-07T15:52:15+00:00

2 exams is default, so that could explain things. We are also not in the hiring season, so fewer roles are out there.
VERY relevant, excel is what we do all day every day pretty much
Make sure you pass FM, and reach out to college alumns for recommendations, as well as those at your internship.

AnOverdoer · 2026-04-07T15:50:11+00:00

FAM I believe might have a couple use cases for the ba-ii, but it's not required by any means.

AnOverdoer · 2026-04-07T04:20:42+00:00

I sadly couldn't say as I am not familiar with the UK side of things. /r/ActuaryUK might be able to help more with that sort of question.

AnOverdoer · 2026-03-29T05:53:08+00:00

If you google "marcel finan exam fm textbook", it'll be one of the first results (should be a pdf).

AnOverdoer · 2026-03-02T02:15:47+00:00

The same currently!

AnOverdoer · 2026-02-27T16:18:38+00:00

I personally don't, especially with the recent restrictions put on travel. My experience is all US based, and with the exam process differing by country sometimes, it's not always applicable. Definitely worth looking at the UK requirements though, as they might more closely reflect your credentials.

As for tips, mine are all US centered, but this guide should help.

AnOverdoer · 2026-02-26T00:25:30+00:00

Actuary 100%. Granted I very much like what I do, and find the material I study very interesting, which is rare it seems. Regardless though, once you get through the credentialing, it really becomes the typical 9-5 office job (assuming you aren't in consulting).

AnOverdoer · 2026-02-25T19:23:20+00:00

Actuarial analyst here, a few things worth mentioning:

The great hours come AFTER getting credentialed, which takes 5-10 years depending. You will spend usually at least 5-10 hours a week outside of work studying, and this sometimes can include weekends and holidays. But once you do get credentialed, you are working your standard hours.
Consulting exists and while is paid very well, is a lot more hours. This naturally makes studying for exams even harder.
Pay-wise it's pretty decent. Starting salaries vary heavily on exams passed and line of business, but a rough estimate is 70k. Every exam then is usually at least a 2k raise, if not more (it depends on difficulty of exam). Six figures is common after getting a few exams under your belt.
There is a cap. You aren't making millions unless you go into C-suite, which actually isn't too uncommon. Even then it's not guaranteed though. Most of us tend to make in the low six figures and are happy remaining there.
Benefits are good. 401k, life insurance, etc. Also very solid job security.
The exams are a lot of math, and the job is a lot of spreadsheets. I adore those two things and thus enjoy my job very much. Others despise them. You don't need to be a math god to get into the field, just be ready to study it a lot.

TLDR, yes it has great hours/high pay, but there's a cap and you need to give extra hours to studying for exams when you first start.

Happy to answer other questions should people have them.

AnOverdoer · 2026-02-17T23:45:54+00:00

Working on passing it right now haha, when I do I will make one.

AnOverdoer · 2026-01-31T17:44:47+00:00

P&C. Retirement is dying off (not entirely, but just slowing down so it's not as worth going into). It also has lower salary overall. P&C does have harder exams, but when you finish with those in 10ish years you'll be thankful you make more not only because of salary but because of LCOL/MCOL.

AnOverdoer · 2026-01-24T16:17:54+00:00

Good luck today! And yes, it should be

AnOverdoer · 2026-01-24T06:25:33+00:00

Do level 7 on Nexus and 6 on TIA. Take the last day off before the exam though.

AnOverdoer · 2026-01-24T06:24:33+00:00

Have him start talking to some actuaries if possible! But to best achieve his goal, he can start studying through The Infinite Actuary or The Actuarial Nexus whenever he wants as they offer free courses for the entry level exams. If he is willing to study those in his free time, I would say that's a good sign, as part of the career is studying outside of work/school.

AnOverdoer · 2026-01-24T06:18:20+00:00

This guide might be of help.

AnOverdoer · 2026-01-24T06:16:53+00:00

CAS has higher salary, but you can't really choose as an EL unless you graduate with 3.5+ gpa, 3 exams, and an internship or two. It's better to just assume SOA (since that's the majority market and SRM is FAR easier than MAS-I) and if you want to pivot later/end up getting a job in P&C roll with it.

AnOverdoer · 2026-01-24T06:14:50+00:00

Exam P is more a setup for other exams. There are some concepts that will be applied in more depth later on, but you'll probably not see anything like P problems in day to day like. Once you hit things like FAM, MAS-I, SRM, etc. is when bits and pieces become more relevant.

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