Which job to pick?

[MontPo]

DS is graduating from a top tier university this year and has a couple of job offers.

One is a highly regulated exam driven profession, good salary (80-90k qualified, pension good) but hard to leave the area and progress salary beyond 100k without management. Good work life balance once qualified

The other is a more stressful but broader consulting job, long hours but potential for six figures plus faster. However it’s not a credentialed job.

He keeps going round in circles asking people but they often vouch for whatever industry they’re in.

Anyone got anything they could share on this. I tell him life is not all about earning a lot so take the secure profession. AIBU

It would help if you told us what the jobs are.

Both are high earning jobs

If the first one is certified account it would be better long term and with exit opportunities. Any chance you can give more specifics?

Yes. Insurance Actuary and Strategy Consulting ( reputable but not global famous firm) are the two jobs. High paying but different risk profiles. So he’s unsure whether to take the more guaranteed but narrow route whereas the more risky and broader consulting job

Tell him its a great problem to have! Im 42 and i have never earned more thsn 35 k.

Also he can ask on chat forums for people working in the industries.

100% take the strategy role. Insurance actuaries will be out of jobs within 10 years as AI takes over. Even if he doesn't want to stay in consulting the strategy role will open all sorts of doors for internal positions.

Source: I have clients in both worlds and the AI usage is ramping up at a very fast pace.

Also - actuarial work is very very tedious (but each to their own)

Yes that’s what he was worried about. Strategy might develop a broader set of skills to cope with AI. But will actuaries really disappear as the regulator needs them.

@MontPoAll jobs have risks these days. What would he be consulting in with no experience? They must train him for something?

True, it’s strategy consulting for businesses. Helping them decide to enter a new market or not, how to grow revenue etc. So he will learn lots of transferable skills.

I have 2 client projects ongoing that are AI related.

In both cases the aim is to, significantly, streamline operations. Both industries are regulated and both projects have some focus on compliance and reporting. In one case the government is mandating that certain activities have to use AI as part of the process (in this instance to reduce errors).

In neither case will humans be out of the loop but, in both cases, far fewer humans will be needed.

My son just started an actuary grad role 6 months ago and is enjoying it. He wanted a job with a good work life balance as he has hobbies and so far it’s going well, everyone leaves at a decent time and limited pressure.

@MontPo So won’t AI crunch the numbers on the consulting advice? Not sure!

I’d probably take the job with the content he likes the most. What would make him tick? Being an actuary suits some people but is maybe a bit too focussed and narrow for others. What would suit his personality?

DH was a consulting engineer (obviously different skills) but as owner he enjoyed getting work, working with clients and making sure the teams did a good, but cost effective, job. He needed excellent people in the teams and they grew with the company. Some people relish the challenge and others prefer to do a more streamlined job without the breadth. He perhaps needs to think what type of person he is. What are his strengths?