Possible wonderful weirdness...

[johnpalmer]

So...

One of the professions I considered following, after getting my master's degree in math, was actuary. I even took the second actuarial exam. (The first is on basic mathematics - okay, basic for people who've *majored* in mathematics - and because of a high score on the Mathematics subject GRE (i.e.: not the math section of the general exam) I didn't need to take it.) I passed it quite handily; I don't remember if I did insanely well, or 'just passed', but I was comfortable.

But, it's not like you open the newspaper and see "Help Wanted: Actuary", and I did have good computer skills, so I went into tech support.

Well... I've decided that I'm going to try to pass my core MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) core exams in six weeks. This is somewhat ambitious, but, I think, easily do-able if I really keep at it. And, I'm still working on that... I've read the "Database Administration" book (how to set access rights, how to do backups, etc.), and I'm working on Design and Implementation (which is a bit of programming). Monday will be the end of week 3, so I'm *really* doing well.

But then...

Then, a Portland insurance company responded to me about my application for their actuarial assistant position.

Maybe I won't get an offer... but I might.

If I do... wow.

This could be one of those common place miracles; I might find myself placed into the kind of position I would have chosen a long time ago. *or*, at the very least, it will let me shut the door on my thoughts on entering that profession.

So... life has gotten just a little more interesting for me, but, this time, it's in a good way.

Comments

[98.livejournal.com]

Hope it works out for the best for you!

[beki.livejournal.com]

It would be cool if you did. Actuarial jobs are a lot more stable than computer tech type jobs these days. I hope you get what will do you the best.

[nsingman.livejournal.com]

Excellent news, John! My first paid job (July '81 to May '82) was as an actuarial assistant at Insurance Services Office (ISO) in lower Manhattan. One nice thing about an actuarial track is that (as beki noted above) it is very stable, steady work. And if you enjoy applied mathematics, it's great (I took the first two exams, and as is common, was granted automatic salary increases after passing).

I found programming more fun, and that's what I've been doing since '82. However, I did enjoy my time at ISO. I hope you get to choose from among a bunch of excellent opportunities!

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

That's so cool, and I'm sending *lots* of Good Thoughts and Vibes that it works out just as you'd like it to.:)

Love you.

Gessi

[iamjw.livejournal.com]

It sounds great John. I hope it works out for you.

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

Best wishes for this to work out for the best, whatever that turns out to be.

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

I know that times of flux like this are stressful, but aren't they kind of exciting, too?

Actually an actuary?

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Too cool. If you get the job I'll know two actuaries. One will be you. The other is my third husband's first wife's second husband, who's part of our serially monogamous extended family.