Any actuaries about? DD (autistic) is considering the profession

[SorciereDesMemises]

I wonder if any actuaries are able to offer any insights into the job, the training and career progression.

DD was dead set on BSc economics but after a uni visit yesterday she loved the actuarial sciences BSc talk. She likes that it’s a small course, seems supportive and friendly, covers the areas of maths/ data she enjoys and is focused on gaining professional qualifications and skills. Encouragingly, the gender balance at the talk was much more even than at the (huge) economics talk. Being blunt, she categorically does not want a course populated by overconfident public school boys.
.
However, she’s never met an actuary in real life (she’s going to ask if her college can put her in touch with anyone.) Her main questions are over exactly how hard the maths is (she got a low 9 at GCSE/ predicated A for A-level but isn’t naturally brilliant like some kids are, although very strong on algebra.), the career prospects in London/South East (especially for women.) She’s also autistic, although my feeling is that might not be especially unusual in the profession, but she’s concerned about how easy she would find managing client relationships/networking.

Any thoughts on courses, applications, the job, the profession, getting relevant experience would be greatly appreciated and I will pass it all onto her.

I have a relative who's an actuary. Absolute maths genius (did a pure mathematics degree) and almost certainly autistic. The exams are absolutely brutal. Pay is great, and there are quite a lot of women. Relatively frequent redundancies, but generally good payouts and easy to get a new job. Good opportunities for flexible working.
Maths-wise, it tends to be the more logical practical stuff than the super theoretical stuff. That said, I'm significantly better than average at maths, but when I once had to have a conversation with the Government Actuaries Department (I work in HR and we had a TUPE involving public sector pensions) I barely understood half of what they said!

My concern would be if her maths is good enough. But I guess there’s only one way to find out.

We used to joke that becoming an actuary is for people who find accounting too exciting 😛 There’s a LOT of maths. Don’t underestimate how hard the professional exams are, especially when working at the same time. Your job depending on your passing your exams brings a whole extra level of pressure.

My bf is an actuary . Was very good at maths in school but I wouldn't say genius level either. The exams were very tough and took most of her 20s. She works for a pension company now calculating how long the people in the plan are likely to live. She enjoys it and is very well paid.