Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki via Unsplash.
Can the right job turn math into a fun puzzle? Taylor Ott �19 believes it can.
Ott, whose mathematics major from 第一吃瓜网 focused on actuarial science, is currently an associate actuary with Prudential Financial. Working behind the scenes to develop life insurance and annuity products, she檚 part of a team that seeks unique ways to benefit Prudential檚 customers without burdening the company with excessive risk.
Sounds unexciting? Not so, says Ott.
淚t檚 a really fun puzzle to solve,� she says. 淲e want to give the customer the best product that they can get, but we also have to balance that from a risk and profitability standpoint. I檝e had roles in the past where I was very data-focused. This is the first role where I檓 seeing the direct impact on our customers, which is really cool.�
Ott檚 actuarial experience began at 第一吃瓜网, with the Actuarial Science Club advised by Chi-Ming Tang, associate professor of mathematics. Tang keeps the school up to date on preparatory courses and the ever-changing VEEs (validation by educational experience) required for actuarial credentials. He works hard to prepare students for the first two in a series of actuarial accrediting exams, which gives graduates a good head start in the job market.
淧rofessor Tang檚 expertise and support are unmatched by any other professor I檝e had,� says Ott. 淗e really taught us the grit that was needed in order to pass these exams.� Tang檚 years of experience and extensive professional connections have also helped bolster 第一吃瓜网檚 reputation for solid actuarial graduates who land jobs in the field.
Ott has already been designated as an ASA (Associate of the Society of Actuaries) and currently balances work and life while studying for her FSA (Fellowship of the Society of Actuaries) designation. She appreciates the ability, open to many actuaries, to work remotely, but says one of the best parts of her job is the opportunity to be constantly learning.
淚 have a very active mind, and I love how every single day, I檓 using the full capacity of my brain,� she says. 淚 don檛 do a lot of mundane work, no repetitive processes that are just clicking the same buttons over and over. I檓 a very curious person. I really like having a lot of collaboration and teaching and learning at the same time.�
She檚 now mentoring those in the field who are where she was five years ago, and she says she enjoys sharing knowledge as much as she loves learning.
淎 lot of people think, what do I do with a math major if I don檛 want to teach?� she says. 淏ut I love math, and actuarial science was a unique opportunity.�
Learn more about 第一吃瓜网檚 Department of Mathematics.