BE AN ACTUARY

Okay, well this is interesting.  If one wants to work in the insurance industry as an actuary, there are at least three beginning exams one must pass.  ASA [or Associate of the Society of Actuaries], CERA [Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst], FSA [Fellow of the Societies of Actuaries].  So what this means is that you've got to be credentialed by way of membership through these societies before you can earn gainful employment as an actuary?  Who hires actuaries?  Insurance companies?  It looks like any company can hire an actuary, for these guys assess risk.  That knowledge allows businesses to decide on certain purchases to reduce their risk on some aspect of a business.  That is interesting.  

Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk that an event will occur, and they help businesses and clients develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk. Actuaries' work is essential to the insurance industry. 

Definitely consider being an Actuary.  Here is the BLS profile of what it means to be an actuary.  

There is the Casualty Actuary Society
4350 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 250
Arlington, Virginia 22203
(703) 276-3100, Phone.
(703) 276-3108, Fax.
Hours: M-F, 8:45 to 5pm, EST.

This was more helpful.  Bizarre that a site doesn't simply list the exams required for what license and then what the license grants you permission to do.  Bizarre. 

While a degree in actuarial sciences is not essential to becoming an actuary, getting certified is. Before you can work as an actuary, you must begin the process of becoming certified through either the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA). 

Must be certified before taking any test?  Bizarre.

The first certification you must pursue is an associate certification, which you can earn by following these steps:

1) Pass a Validation of Educational Experience (VEE) in applied statistics, corporate finance, and economics. A committee will review your college coursework, grades, and/or examination scores to see if you have been adequately educated on essential topics in these areas. Complete online courses in professionalism and in the fundamentals of actuarial practice. These classes are offered by each actuarial society. Pass several actuarial examinations. If you seek certification through the CAS, you will take 7 exams. The SOA requires five exams. Each exam demands hundreds of hours of study and preparation. Once you have your associate certification and gain a few years of working experience, you can pursue a fellowship certification through the CAS. 

Okay, the Exams are numbered here.  They are numbered 1 through ST9.  ST9 is a Specialist exam.  

Exam 1:  Probability.
Exam 2:  Financial Mathematics.
Exam 3F:  Models for Financial Economics. 
Exam 4: Construction and Evaluation of Actuarial Models Exam.
Exam 5: Basic Techniques for Ratemaking and Estimating Claim Liabilities.
Exam 6: Regulation and Financial Reporting (Nation Specific).
Exam 7: CAS Syllabus of Basic Education.  Exam 7 is Estimation of Policy Liabilities, Insurance Company Valuation, and Enterprise Risk Management.
Exam 8: Advanced Ratemaking.
Exam 9: Financial Risk and Rate of Return. 
ST9 Exam:  Enterprise Risk Management Specialist Technical Exam.  

Actuarial Jobs from Indeed.  One of the jobs calls for the MAAA, or Member of American Academy of Actuaries.  

ASPPA, American Society of Pension and Professionals & Actuaries. 

Jobs to apply for this week:
1.  Anaheim.
2.  Insurance Eligibility Clerk, West LA.
3.  Insurance call center, Downey.
4.  Business Consultant, Culver City.
5.  Teach in China.
6.  Aflac.
7.  Support Specialist.
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10.

I've never heard of a DiSC Testing.  What does this mean and what kinds of skills are tested?  Dominance / Influence / Steadiness / Conscientiousness.

Useful resources on commissions.