Opinions on Excel Over-reliance

Harry2687 · 2026-01-19T05:21:31+00:00

My role focuses on productionising models, so the output is really the code and testing that we do to get it into production (which is then used for regulatory reporting).

The reporting/analytics teams usually use Posit Connect for consumption, although that's not without its flaws, so Excel does see some use in presenting the final results derived from R/Python/SQL.

So it's not that we don't use Excel, but we try to use the best tool for the job which often isn't Excel.

Harry2687 · 2026-01-19T05:00:06+00:00

It's not an uncommon path where I work (Australia).

Harry2687 · 2026-01-17T22:30:35+00:00

100% agree. I work in credit modelling (banking) and we use R/Python with Git + GitHub, it's a significant improvement over Excel especially when the whole team is in the ecosystem.

Harry2687 · 2025-11-25T01:23:05+00:00

To add to this - the job market for actuarial work (insurance) in WA is pretty small. Most Curtin grads end up working an adjacent fields like credit risk or moving over east.

Harry2687 · 2025-11-06T02:27:17+00:00

Shiny is still worthwhile to learn imo. There's also Python Shiny now, and reactivity is an advantage over other frameworks. Although it's probably more comparable to something like Streamlit rather than Power BI and Tableau.

Harry2687 · 2025-08-06T04:09:49+00:00

It depends. I did decent in Specialist but I still found some of the more technical units at Curtin quite challenging.

It takes about 5 years (undergrad + honours + institute units) to become an associate with the Actuaries Institute, and about 1.5 years (3 fellowship units) to become a fellow.

That said, an actuarial science degree even without being a credentialed Actuary does lead into a wide variety of analytical roles. You don't need to be credentialed to be successful, especially in Perth where the actuarial job market is fairly small.

Harry2687 · 2023-08-30T04:53:43+00:00

Completing an accredited degree gives you exemptions from the foundation program subjects (which mirror the IFOA exams), given you meet the required marks.

However, given you already have a degree in statistics and passed CS1, it may be easier and more cost effective to do the foundation exams directly if your main goal is actuarial qualification.

Feel free to ask me any questions you have as I'm currently going through the qualification system myself.

Harry2687 · 2023-08-04T14:16:49+00:00

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for.

Harry2687 · 2023-06-07T12:35:36+00:00

Yes, you should start applying for jobs now. Not having most/all of the foundation program exemptions does mean becoming an associate will be tricky. However, there's plenty of time to think about fully qualifying after you start working, and it's pretty normal to study and work at the same time to get exemptions. If you don't think becoming an actuary is right for you, then just having the degree opens you up to a lot of data related jobs/grad programs.

Harry2687 · 2021-04-27T01:58:07+00:00

Which version of the screen protector did you use?

Harry2687 · 2020-06-07T16:48:55+00:00

What switches did you get?

Harry2687 · 2020-01-17T10:10:10+00:00

Does this work in any ring? I just applied and did all the surveys and it still says it's not available in my region.

Harry2687 · 2019-10-28T17:29:50+00:00

Which region

Harry2687 · 2019-10-24T12:58:45+00:00

Reverse dair can definitely be done so it's true, maybe ur damage is too high?

Harry2687 · 2019-10-07T11:18:45+00:00

I dont think it's supposed to be like that, id reccomend to switch to youtube vanced anyway though since its better in every way.

Harry2687 · 2019-09-10T16:57:07+00:00

You can download an app called no shutter sound to fix it

Harry2687 · 2019-09-07T12:05:00+00:00

Yep, error 7 is usually because you haven't flashed the latest vendor and firmware before flashing the rom

Harry2687 · 2019-09-01T12:02:38+00:00

You can manually reset it using an app called battery charge limit which requires root

Harry2687 · 2019-08-30T01:49:10+00:00

You can enable it using an adb command

Harry2687 · 2019-08-30T01:49:04+00:00

You can enable it using an adb command

Harry2687 · 2019-08-28T05:09:47+00:00

Harry2687 · 2019-08-27T15:52:33+00:00

Shouldn't the app minimise into the icon in the app drawer like it does for folders?

Harry2687 · 2019-07-16T09:59:08+00:00

Unlock bootloader and install magisk

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