Name: Leonie Wittmann

Company: Aegon

Age: 25

Year of joining Actuarial Profession: 2008

Year of joining current company: 2008

Exams passed to date: CT1 – CT7

Why did you choose to become an actuary?

Mathematics was always my favourite and best subject in school but I really did not want to become a maths teacher. I also wanted to get paid very well.

Did you find it hard to adjust to working life when you first started?

Getting out of bed in the morning was probably the hardest bit I had to get used to. Most colleges are nice and it was easy for me to make new friends.

How do you find balancing work and study?

AEGON allows me to take enough time of work for studying.

Do you find you have much free time?

During the week, I don’t have as much free time as I am used to. However, I now have all weekend free, which I did not have while studying at Uni.

How relevant are the exams you’ve studied to the job you do? (i.e. Do you apply what you've learned?)

Most of the exams are very relevant.

How do you find working in the insurance industry?

Ok. It’s not too hectic and I am not overloaded with work.

How easy is it to move between departments in your company?

As far as I can tell it’s quite easy. We have job rotations every 1.5 to 2 years and so people move departments on a regularly basis.

Which is better, in your opinion? To change roles frequently or to remain in one area where you can build up a strong level of expertise?

In my opinion, it’s very useful to get an idea of different areas before you specialise. Thus changing roles every 1 to 2 years before you qualify is better but once you qualified I’d say you should change jobs less frequent.

What is expected today from new actuaries?

To be flexible, communicative, social, competent, professional.

What skills, if any, would you recommend trying to develop before starting work with a company?

Know how to use Excel, Word and other computer programs like SAS.

Give an example of a kind of project you have or are currently working on?

I am verifying the code/calculations of a computer program used for the valuation.

How do you think the ‘credit crunch’ is affecting the profession?

The credit crunch doesn’t improve its image because actuaries are involved in risk management.

What prospects do you see for actuaries in the future?

I think actuaries will become more and more important in the financial world, especially in risk management and securing solvency.