Seminar Outline

Tony He – President Actuarial Science Club

- Introduction of Speakers- Brief Comment on Mentorship Program

Daisy Li – Manulife Financial

About Myself

- Class of 2009- Market Researcher/ Research Assistant- ASNA Committee- Act Sci Club- Internship: Manulife: Product Risk Management- Part Time: Manulife: Affinity Markets Pricing- Full Time: Manulife- US Life Valuation

Daisy Li – Manulife Financial

What Made me Stand Out

- Well Rounded- Academic, SOA Exam- Extracurricular Activities, Work Experience- Resume- Easy to Read- Emphasize on your strengths

- Interview- Know your resume well, have stories to tell- Show interest and enthusiasm, be confident-Thank you letter

Daisy Li – Manulife Financial

Working at an Insurance Company

- Diverse Set of Skills- Rotation Program- Different teams and leadership styles

- Development Program- Study Days, Exam fee reimbursement- Focus on Passing exams- Support

- Better working hours

Jesse Resnick– Sun Life FinancialAbout Myself

- Graduation: Math 2005, ActSci courses in 2006- Math undergrad but not focused on ActSci- TA at U of T- Operated tutoring business after graduation- Non-traditional route to getting into actuarial role- Started working at SLF in May 2008

Jesse Resnick – Sun Life FinancialWhat I’ve Learned- Companies advised me to focus on actuarial exams

- Started interviewing when only had Exam P- Didn’t have internship / co-op experience in actuarial field

-Distinguish yourself- Demonstrate willingness & ability to

learn- Learn about the companies you are

applying to- Decide what you’re looking for in a

company- Type of work, areas of practice- Culture is also important

Jesse Resnick – Sun Life FinancialWhat I’ve Learned- Interviews

- Be positive- Do your research about companies and

actuarial fields- Speak slowly & clearly- Take time to listen to questions- Take time to formulate your response- Try to emphasize personal aspects and

why you’d fit into the company

Jesse Resnick – Sun Life FinancialMy Advice-Don’t get bogged down into interview cliches

- “Detail-oriented”, “Goal-oriented”, “Fast learner”

- Give concrete examples when answering questions- Get a job – any job!

- All experience is good experience- Might learn software skills, people

skills, etc.- Communication skills are key- Don’t get discouraged

Actuarial Mentorship Program- Mentors from the following Companies:

Myriam & Lynda – Sun Life FinancialAbout Us

- Qualified actuaries with lots of working experience- Followed traditional route to become actuaries- Involved in hiring of new grads, interns, and actuaries- Have worked in several areas of SLF

Myriam & Lynda – Sun Life FinancialWhat are companies looking for?

- SoA exams- Minimum requirements may exist- Demonstrates commitment to actuarial

career- University grades- Extracurricular activities

- Take an active role in an organization- Examples: ASNA, ActSci club, etc.

- Communication skills- Make sure your resume & cover letter are well written

Myriam & Lynda – Sun Life FinancialTips for Interviews

- Interviewers are trying to find out more about you

- Tell them about yourself!- Draw from your experiences – no

matter what that experience is- Be genuine

- Do your homework- Find out about the company – check

their website- Talk to people with actuarial work experience

Myriam & Lynda – Sun Life FinancialTips for Interviews

- Relax!- Ask questions

- This is also an opportunity for you to find out more about the company

- Be on-time- Dress to impress- Prepare

- What do you want to get across in the interview?

- Know your resume inside out- Practice interviews

Myriam & Lynda – Sun Life FinancialCareer Paths as an Actuary

- Analysts / Students- Focused on technical work on day-to-

day basis- Your computer is your best friend

- Start to do more analysis & take more responsibility for results

- Focus on exams, but not at expense of work- Companies support students in their

studies- Work performance is also important

Myriam & Lynda – Sun Life FinancialCareer Paths as an Actuary

-New actuary- Greater focus on analysis of results- Less detailed technical work- Look at trends / patterns- Managing people- Communication even more important- Softer skills- Treated more like other professionals

Myriam & Lynda – Sun Life FinancialOur Advice on Career Paths

- Get used to change- Actuaries & analysts are expected to

get a range of experience- Learning never ends

- Continuing professional development- Evolving best practice- Rotation

- Don’t be afraid to try new things

Michael Blay – Munich Re

About Myself

- Graduation: November 2010- Internship- Marketing Associate, RBC- Internship – Business Analyst, Hewlett Packard- Internship – Actuarial Analyst, Munich Re- Internship – Actuarial Analyst, Manulife Financial (January 2010)- Webmaster – Actuarial Science Club- Director of Corporate Relation and Communication – Investment Banking and Capital Market Club

Michael Blay – Munich Re

How to get an Internship

- Network- Be Hospitable- Extra Curricular Activities- Set your resume apart – make it stand out!- Learn software applications (VBA macros, Excel, Access)

Michael Blay – Munich Re

Experience as an Intern

- Apply knowledge from school- Make analysis and recommendations- Practical application of software packages- Get an opportunity to make a presentation- Learn about different industry sectors- Make connections

Questions?