Tahir Qadir

Actuarial Science, February 2009

Please describe your academic background including the reason(s) for enrolling in the M.S. program at the School of Continuing Education.

Prior to enrolling in the School of Continuing Education’s M.S. Actuarial Science program in 2007, I completed my bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Texas Tech University. As an undergraduate, I knew that I wanted to be an actuary and passed the first Society of Actuaries examination. Initial advancement in the actuarial profession is dependent on passing examinations, which is considerably more difficult to do while working full time. Examination study time provided by employers is also expensive, so completed examinations are attractive during the interview process. I applied to Columbia’s Actuarial Science program in order to pass more examinations before beginning my career, and to increase my job prospects. Columbia was particularly attractive because of its academic quality and location in New York, where a significant proportion of actuarial jobs are located.

Please describe your professional background leading up to your current position.

I interned for Deloitte Consulting’s Human Capital practice while I was at Columbia and accepted a full-time offer with the company upon graduation in 2009. Since then, I have worked as an analyst in the total rewards group. My project experience includes pension valuations, the use of hypothetical bond portfolios to develop discount rates, and merger/acquisition due diligence from an employee benefits perspective. I have attained Associateship with the Society of Actuaries and am currently taking fellowship examinations on the investment track.

What is a typical day like in your current position?

I work in a team environment where I am assigned to five or more clients and balance my responsibilities to each on a daily basis. Effective communication skills and flexibility are essential strengths when working in the actuarial science field – you have to meet the client’s demands and explain your analysis in a way that non-actuaries can understand.  My actuarial work utilizes Excel and valuation software, while client deliverables often demand Powerpoint and Word skills. On any day of the week I might be attending/leading internal trainings, recruiting, or developing a sales presentation in addition to my project work.

How did the Actuarial Science program help you prepare for your career?

The Actuarial Science program allowed me to gain an advantage over other analysts that I started with by passing more examinations and gaining exposure to practical applications. In addition, the program connected me and my fellow classmates with job opportunities, which I believe is the program’s most valuable asset.

What advice would you give to students who wish to pursue careers in Actuarial Science?

Consulting and insurance are two different work environments and cultures; therefore, you should speak to alumni and other actuaries to get an idea of where you would feel more comfortable working. Passing exams will get you an interview, but communication and presentation skills can differentiate you during interviews. If you interview with a consulting firm, make sure to practice case studies and take Corporate Finance in your first semester so you have exposure to cases before internship interviews.