When I was an undergraduate actuarial student at the University of Michigan in the early 1990’s, I didn’t realize that property and casualty actuarial work existed separate and distinct from the life insurance field. In fact, it was the first day of my actuarial internship, the summer before my senior year in college, when I discovered this! But the rest, as they say, is history.
Fast forward to today, and students have many resources at their fingertips, like CAS Student Central, which provides insights into what it’s like to work in the dynamic property and casualty field. However, despite the online resources, most students get information about career opportunities on campus from professors and advisors. But because of the limited number of credentialed CAS members who teach on campus, students still may not be exposed to the property and casualty actuarial practice as undergraduates.
The CAS has been working hard to increase awareness of the property and casualty industry among undergraduates. In recent years we’ve:
- Released a curriculum guide to help students and faculty build a stronger understanding of the academic strengths, technical tools and personal skills successful actuaries possess.
- Awarded grants to schools with professors who earned CAS credentials.
- Developed property and casualty Case Studies for use by professors in the classroom.
- Presented webinars on property and casualty topics specifically created for academics and students.
As the CAS has increased its engagement with universities, we’ve been learning about the innovative and exciting ways actuarial programs are preparing their students for a career in our industry through curriculum, research, engagement with industry partners, and various other initiatives. We want to celebrate and encourage these efforts through our New CAS University Award Program. This award will recognize schools that excel in exposing students to the property and casualty insurance industry.
Each year, up to three schools will be honored through the CAS University Award Program. The winning schools will each be announced in a press release by the CAS, be recognized on the CAS website, and receive a monetary award of $5,000 to further enhance their programs.
The property and casualty industry deals with complex and significant issues, and it is strengthened by candidates entering the field with the knowledge and skills to face these challenges. Do you know of a university that is excelling at preparing its students to address these challenges? If so, consider nominating them for the CAS University Award Program. Nominations can be submitted through an online form and will be accepted until March 1, 2016. A select number of nominees will be contacted by March 7, 2016 to complete an online application form which will be due on April 19, 2016. Award recipients will be announced in June, 2016.
Visit the CAS University Award webpage for a complete set of program details!
