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Why is it so hard to get experience as a medical assistant?

Can a guy with an SOA-ASA designation, but no relevant work experience get an actuary job that is better than an entry-level actuarial assistant position?

  • I have been working in IT for the last 8 years. I am also doing my masters in Probability and Statistics, which I will be completing by the end of this year. Due to some visa and green card issues, I need to continue in my current company for the next few years(till I get my green card). So I am planning to use this time in preparing for actuary exams and try for actuary jobs once I got my GC. Can you let me know how practical this plan is? Few years from now, with some designation such as ASA but no relevant work experience, if I try for actuary jobs, will I still be considered only for entry level postions. Will my software experience (in Financial services domain) and qualifications such as ASA help me get better actuary jobs?

  • Answer:

    You will, assuming you've passed exams, be able to find a job.  The starting salary would be largely commensurate with how many exams you pass although there will be an adjustment for your work experience.  Obviously, your work assignments initially will take into account that you know very little about the business but having an IT background will be a plus.  If you learn quickly and perform well there should be no lasting effect on your career. One of my earliest mentors spent the first 20 years of his career as a math professor.  He quickly passed his exams when he decided to change careers and moved quickly up the promotional ladder.  Your early career will depend in large part on passing exams.  As you near FSA your work performance becomes a bigger part of the process.

Henry Siegel at Quora Visit the source

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At the end of the day the only way to find out is apply, but I would worry less about where you start out and more about how you can excel as an actuary once you're in. I would tell most people that once they have 3 exams passed their time is better spent 100% focused on finding a job. In your case it sounds like you have this immigration related limitation, you might as well pass as many exams as you can until it's appropriate to start your job search, then switch over to be 100% focused on the job search.

Patrick Maloney

No, with no actuarial experience, you really must start at the beginning. If you are really smart, you will advance quickly.

Rick Groszkiewicz

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