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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be disappointed that my son's Morrisby results say he should look at a career as an actuary.

169 replies

Caroline1852 · 26/09/2007 10:23

I want him to do something interesting. It is so hard not to roll round on the floor crying, no no no, nerdy nerdy nerdy. I wanted him to do something I might like. The other suggestions were equally scary: Microbiologist, Chemist, Bio-Scientist. Doctor was the only reasonable suggestion in my book and I wouldn't actually encourage him to do that as it is so stressful. I want him to have a nice life with hot chicks in pursuit. An actuary wtf.

OP posts:

WideWebWitch · 26/09/2007 10:40

I can#t see where to take it, do you have to pay, I want to take one, waah waah

duchesse · 26/09/2007 10:40

Have to say, one of my best friends is an actuary, and he is an absolute sweetie. Would defo have him to a dinner party any time. He also writes, and struggled to decide at 17 whether to study English or Maths. Yep, he's pretty bright...

duchesse · 26/09/2007 10:40

Kathy- he was in my year in the same college. Small world...

marthamoo · 26/09/2007 10:42

www - my link - where it says "TRY TAKING A TEST"

Hulababy · 26/09/2007 10:43

Argh - went through practise test - but at end you don't get a result!

BellaBear · 26/09/2007 10:44

My DH is an actuary and he does get paid a lot, and gets to use maths in an interesting way. As a maths graduate myself, I find his work far more interesting than that of an accountant - and I know a few. When I first found out about actuarial maths I thought it sounded a bit dull but now have completely changed my mind - he is basically using maths to predict the future - and not all from a pensions/investment point of view.

BellaBear · 26/09/2007 10:45

and you have to be super clever to do well as an actuary

WideWebWitch · 26/09/2007 10:51

I'm half way through one, it's the 11+ more or less isn't it?

OrmIrian · 26/09/2007 10:52

What's wrong with being a scientist? I'd be so proud if my children were clever enough and decicated enough to do work of that nature. Or is this the humanities v science thing rearing it's head again? My Dad was a nuclear engineer who wrote poetry. It is possible to have a foot in both camps. And everyone is the sum of more than their job. I think it would be sad if all your son amounted to was an actuary with no interests or life outside of that. Ditto a doctor or a teacher. But it's unlikely isn't it?

So yes YABU.

Original poster

Caroline1852 · 26/09/2007 10:53

He is 15. They do the test now (school arrange it) to help them choose their A level subjects.
Of course I know he must do something HE likes.

OP posts:

Hulababy · 26/09/2007 10:54

Never did 11+ so not sure.

Very typical psychometric test - as used by IAG and also in candidtae selection processes for jobs.

Was really disappointed that the practise test has no results of any form after it.

The real Morrisby test lasts 3 hours!!!

NormaStanleyFletcher · 26/09/2007 10:54

My dad always wanted me to be an actuary

... and send him half my pay, or atleast keep him in his old age

margoandjerry · 26/09/2007 10:55

YABU - I think it would be interesting to be an actuary. To have that level of facility in maths would be great. I loved maths at school - and was the only member of the school's maths club [nerd smiley]

It's all about the future, and risk and probability. Think of it like being a professional gambler and maybe that'll make it sound better.

When I did one of these tests I was advised to be a "freight forwarder" which I think means lorry driver...

amidaiwish · 26/09/2007 10:58

my cousin is an actuary. She isn't nerdy, adores it and is paid lots.

The thing is, if he is really good at maths etc. then he will probably really enjoy actuary, getting immense satisfaction out of working it all out! I know my cousin does.

Original poster

Caroline1852 · 26/09/2007 10:59

He scored high in maths and sciences and English. The maths and science bent was only very very marginally major (by less than 2%). He is very bright but he is very communicative and hates excel. Unusually for a 15 year old boy he can talk for England. Aren't actuaries silent, uncommunicative types who play with Excel all day long and don't talk to anyone?

OP posts:

RnB · 26/09/2007 11:01

Message withdrawn

WideWebWitch · 26/09/2007 11:02

Me too hula, I just did it and it didn't tell me anything!

It is difficult this thing about how we help our children decide what to do for a living.

WideWebWitch · 26/09/2007 11:03

We got sod all guidance when we were at school.

Fennel · 26/09/2007 11:05

My brother is an actuary. He finds it exciting. But then I wouldn't want to sit next to him at a dinner party.

He's actually been quite affected by lots of mergers and takeovers in the insurance business, he's had to move jobs all over the country several time in the last few years. Lots of money but also lots of house moves and disruption for his family long commutes to work.

Anchovy · 26/09/2007 11:06

My dad is an actuary. You can follow it into careers which are hugely well paid. You would deffo want to invite him to dinner - he has lots of interests, is very funny and has been a great father.

I think you have to be extremely good at maths to do it - it kind of involves doing maths on a wholly different plane, and is not the sort of job you could do by being conscientious and working hard.

My father is fairly well known for work he does on demographics and ageing of the population - now he is retired he works with charities and govt think tanks to look at these sorts of issues - so can be used in a variety of interesting ways.

Hulababy · 26/09/2007 11:10

Most schools, if not all, not have IAG workers working within schools. Some may work for an individual schools. Other schools may have IAG workers from places like Connexions coming in.

IAG is finally gaining in importance within schools and also beyong childhood, and into adult lives. IAG workers now have to have training and qualifications for example.

If done properly I do feel that IAG can be really beneficial. But that these tests, along with all the other careers software packages, only play a small part on career planning. The IAG one to one meetings are far more important - getting the client to talk, for them to make some decisions and to explore avenues. But that does take time - really you need at least 20-30 minutes per interview and many clients need more than one or two interviews.

I do IAG in the priosn, and I am currently working towards my Level 4 in IAG. We don't have any access to the software and packagaes available and have torely on the interviews instead - suprising how much can come out of those when done well.

Hulababy · 26/09/2007 11:11

Caroline1852 - presumably your child has a follow up IAG meeting now the results are out?

chopchopbusybusy · 26/09/2007 11:17

WWW - sod all career guidance for me at school either. Oh - except the army came in one day to try to recruit us all as squaddies. I went to a rough comp in an area of very high unemployment. Even at 16 I regarded this as quite cynical of them!

So, I think any assistance given at school to assist with career choice is very good. This test sounds like a good idea if it encourages teenagers to consider things they might otherwise never have heard of. Agree with hula though, and interview is what's most important.

OrmIrian · 26/09/2007 11:20

What would you like him to do Caroline? Just out of interest.

Original poster

Caroline1852 · 26/09/2007 11:26

I want him to do a law degree as I did. Not be a lawyer necessarily.

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