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View Full Version : Actuarial Science... a bleak future...


kIdd0
07-10-2005, 08:11 AM
I was just randomly looking at classified ads for jobs in Malaysia and it appears to me that a great deal of them are looking for engineers... but for the most part... there is almost non existent of job opportunities for what seems to be the "hype-profession" nowadays - yes its nonetheless! actuarial...

yes, people do say that... "need not worry, malaysia's economy is growing... actuaries will be in shortage in the future"... I believe the huge wave of the aspiring future actuaries will be in the work-force in a couple of years... and my concern is that... as most of these fresh out of college actuaries are anticipating huge firms... lining up to sign them up in the brink of the so called "booming" economy... sooner or later, most would realize that the future as an actuarist isn't as bright as what they had initially thought...

I am not saying that the need for actuaries will not grow in the future... it will... but just not in the "immediate" future of 2-3 years... as JPA now sends almost close to a hundred of students abroad for actuarial scholarships to the US.... and many more going to places abroad like Aus and UK on their own for actuarial studies... I really doubt that there will be a need in the workforce that will be evergrowing to cater to the needs of these actuarial graduates... In Malaysia, the biggest actuarial employers are Bank Negara... do note the fact that they also have their own sponsored bunch of aspiring actuaries abroad... the second biggest employers i would presume would be the Insurance agencies and the large banks... although many would think that the great need would arise from these private sectors.... be advised that most Insurance agencies and multi-national banks are NOT looking for someone who is an actuarist... but rather... they are looking for people who can handle monetary concerns... ie finance majors... therefore, being only an actuarist is not at all enough! They need someone who could manage their in-out monetary flow well... not someone who could revamp their whole insurance scheme!!

Therefore, for those who chose actuarial as a profession because they just love the fact of being able to put numbers to uncertainty... they will undoubtedly find a way to exercise their passion... but for those who chose actuarial merely because of huge figures and large office space, i wish you all the best of luck to persevere in this "rich" profession...


ps... what do you guys think about the future as an economist?

DecentMerson
07-10-2005, 09:15 AM
hey... why limit yourself to Malaysia? The world is the playground... :)

bp_ffei
07-10-2005, 03:44 PM
hey... why limit yourself to Malaysia? The world is the playground... :)

Exactly! These days we should think outwards...

Here in Singapore, being an actuary can give you quite a lucrative income because the demand exceeds the supply. Of course, I don't have statistics to back me up. I am sure the future is bright for actuaries... we'll need more of them in the future...

* Yippie! My 200th post on ReCom! Haha... *

khor_albert
07-10-2005, 05:13 PM
Well, here's another person who wouldnt agree that actuaries have a bleak future. Actuaries are actually employed by many US big firms. Real life example : One of my teacher's daughter is now working in US as an actuary. She have passed a few of the professional papers and now bring home US$4000 a month.

Malaysia are not in need of actuaries, mainly because of the lack of firms which operate in the third sector. Perhaps by 5-10 years from now, we may need them in big quantities.

However, of course, she's always ranting about the job that it is very very demanding. If you have the passion to do it, just go ahead.

topdog
07-10-2005, 10:36 PM
do what you like and like what you do. the jobs will come.

Jhuen
09-10-2005, 03:14 PM
Wah, do u really have to use the word 'bleak'to deScribe the future of aspiring actuaries??sounds a tad discouraging, but, heck everyone has his/her own opinions..

i agree, why should u limit yourself to malaysia??there's a whole world for u to venture into out there!look from a broader perpective, many firms abroad are in dire need of actuaries..so the demand is definitely there..all u gotta do is look at the right places..

weiwern28
01-11-2005, 04:42 PM
You have to remember that as the profession grows, other sectors besides insurance will hire actuaries. Additionally, despite just graduating from university with a degree, employers will be most likely be looking for someone who has passed the board exams.