By: Justin Shuler ’20, staff writer
The actuarial science career fair is just around the corner, and students will have the opportunity to impress many different companies.
Before going to the fair, students need to prepare by formatting their resumes properly, researching companies, and practicing what they are going to say about themselves. Students can also attend the preparation sessions run by the Breen Center of Graduate Success. One session will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, and the other session will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, and both will be in Lynch 181.
“If you are a freshman, or even a sophomore, it is very important that you go, because it is very likely going to be your first interaction with employers,” Dr. Patrick Brewer, professor of mathematical sciences and director of actuarial science, said.
Brewer wants everyone to be prepared as much as possible to impress the employers, and the prep sessions give students guidance on what their resumes should look like, what to wear, and how the fair runs. This is important information to those who have never been to a career fair, and freshmen and sophomores could get practice for future years as they begin to look for internship opportunities and full-time positions.
The career fair is on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the tables will be set up in the basement of the Mund College Center. All students, including underclassmen, should consider attending the fair. Employers at the fair will be looking to fill intern positions and full-time positions. There will be about 20 companies attending and most of them are insurance companies or consulting companies.
“In this case in particular, you are interacting with employers who are very likely to see you again in subsequent years,” Brewer said. “The beauty of our career fair is that our alumni staff the tables year after year, so that can work as a great benefit. For juniors and seniors, this is probably where they are going to have their last concrete experience before their full-time position. For the younger ones, it is about gaining confidence, and making a good impression to set yourself up for the next two to three years.”
The fair provides a great chance to get an internship in the field, and see if actuarial work is truly in one’s future life plans, because one can only learn so much in the classroom, and it is great to get real-life experience. Internships can also lead to full-time positions, and the fair provides students the opportunity to be successful after college.