How much programming do actuaries do

Microsoft Excel and VBA are a must if you want to be an actuary. Actuaries are always considering the future, making forecasts and developing strategies to reduce the risks associated with future events. You must be able to apply your skills to develop a long-term strategy to get your company from Point A now , to Point Z the future.

Are you someone who is open to problems or do you try to avoid them in general? You must learn how to break down large and complex problems into smaller elements. Start with the smaller pieces first because this helps you reach a solution faster.

Only give advice to the extent that your training, qualification and experience allow you to. If someone asks you for an opinion, always tell them that your results and advice are only a best estimate. Using money as a motivation to do well in this field will not work. This is different for everyone.

Some people catch on really easily, and others have to work really hard at it. For me, it was pretty easy to catch onto but I did take 1 or 2 classes in a programming language called Python while I was in school.

There is one language that I would consider critical for aspiring actuaries to learn. Since actuaries do so much of their work in Excel, VBA is likely going to be one of the most beneficial languages to know, especially in your early years. The secondary language that may come in helpful is Python. The free way is to sign up for a free month of premium access to Skill Share.

You really only need to know one language. You can get my best studying tips and advice sent right to your inbox. Just add your email below. I respect your privacy. My best tips sent right to your inbox! How much programming do actuaries do? What is programming? Strong oral communication skills enable actuaries to explain complex technical and statistical details to a diverse audience, while solid writing skills ensure that findings and solutions are easily understood in memos and written reports.

Actuaries also often lead teams on a variety of projects and thus must be able to handle an assortment of personalities. From the above list, it appears that you need to be good at just about everything to be an actuary. A number of these skills can be learned through on-the-job training or an internship. Given that the number of actuary positions is projected to increase at an above-average rate over the next years, having the right attitude and an aptitude for the skills mentioned above may be just enough to land you that rewarding job.

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