My path to an actuarial career wasn’t linear. I started university as a graphic design and illustration major. It just wasn’t right, so I switched to a major in marriage and family therapy. Again, it wasn’t right for me, so I switched to math education. After realizing that I wasn’t a fan of teaching high schoolers, I switched to mathematics, which was lovely. However, I was still lacking direction. During my senior year, a few real-life actuaries came to our school and gave a presentation on actuarial science. There was free pizza, so of course I attended, and it changed the trajectory of my life. Who knew the power of free pizza? I am now a practicing FCAS and a professor of actuarial science at the University of Connecticut. The road to where I am today started with a simple presentation, for which I am incredibly grateful. 

I imagine many of you have similar origin stories. Wouldn’t it be nice to pay it forward? Our profession is esoteric and ever-changing. As such, to ensure the next generation of actuaries are diverse and well prepared, we need to continue introducing the profession to younger folks in high schools and colleges. We also need to work with actuarial science programs to ensure the curriculum is up to date and accurate with what the industry needs. Established university programs tend to have less exposure to P&C concepts and methods, placing an even greater responsibility on CAS candidates and members to ensure our presence is known and relied upon in these institutions. The CAS has established two wonderful programs with these purposes in mind. 

The University Liaison Program 

An active, dedicated network of over 200 practicing property-casualty actuarial professionals, University Liaisons visit campuses regularly to connect with professors and students. “University Liaisons spend time with students, providing guidance on course selection, giving a heads-up on resources, answering questions about the career, the actuarial exam process, syllabus readings and more,” says CAS Candidate Engagement Manager Stephanie Litrenta. “More often than not, they are also keeping an eye out for strong talent for their employers,“ she adds. 

University Liaisons provide a crucial, direct connection to the CAS and are the “heart“ of the organization’s pipeline, as the boots on the ground at each respective campus. In addition, liaisons inform students of scholarship opportunities, establish mentorships and provide networking opportunities with industry professionals. Liaisons also advise school faculty on how best to prepare their students for internships, research experiences and ultimately, an actuarial career. 

University Liaisons tend to work with their alma maters or schools near their work and homes. Presenting on the actuarial career, offering study tips and mentoring prospective actuaries is rewarding and fun. I highly suggest volunteering to be a University Liaison! As a professor, I can testify to the enormous impact these visits and mentoring provide to my students. It is an awesome program! 
To learn more about volunteering, please visit the University Liaison webpage. 

The University Recognition Program (URP) 

Building upon the former CAS University Award Program, the CAS announced the University Recognition Program (URP) in fall 2023. The URP was “developed to support and recognize academic institutions with a demonstrated commitment to preparing future property and casualty actuaries through their educational offerings.” Like the University Liaison Program, this is a great step toward promoting the P&C actuarial path in schools. 

The announcement also explains that “the CAS University Recognition Program will provide recognized universities with a robust set of benefits, as well as valuable opportunities for exposure across the P&C industry and among students considering an actuarial career.” 

To be recognized, the university must fulfill a set of requirements, to be considered for a bronze, silver, or gold school status. Approved universities are featured on the CAS’s University Recognition List. Their inclusion demonstrates the schools’ commitment to teaching P&C concepts in their curriculum and having P&C representation on their staff or within their network. For example, among other requirements, a gold school must have a dedicated course on P&C concepts, particularly covering material included on CAS Exam 5. Bronze, silver and gold schools must have membership in CAS Student Central and CAS Academic Central, as well as participation in the CAS Student Ambassador or CAS University Liaison programs. 

Schools accepted into this program receive many impactful benefits, such as widespread recognition, input from the CAS on program curriculum, CAS member attendance at student actuarial events, CAS leadership visits and priority consideration of proposals for CAS meeting and seminar sessions. The greatest benefit of all, however, is demonstrating to prospective students that the school has a robust P&C curriculum that can thoroughly prepare them for P&C actuarial careers. 

To be considered for the CAS University Recognition Program, universities must complete an application which is accessible on a rolling basis. “We are very pleased by the wide range of university programs already featured on the CAS University Recognition List — a tribute to the exciting and varied ways they are exposing students to the P&C career path,” says CAS University Engagement Manager Margaret Gaddy. 

For a current list of recognized universities, visit https://bit.ly/CASUniList. 

Don’t see your favorite university on the list? We encourage you to share information about the URP with your academic contacts.