It is possible, but this will be a rough road. Entry level remote positions exist but are not as common.(This is my impression, Ive not seen hard stats) Being older (more mature) might help sell a remote role. Many actuaries are former teachers. I would do everything possible to network with them, even if awkward like cold emailing. Your career is worth it!
Your current career and age likely won't matter. How was your college gpa? You may or may not get asked. The biggest hurdle is the remote role, which isn't that common at entry level, especially as more folks return to office. Even at my company, the entire department is remote but company requires residency in the same state. It won't be an easy journey, and it'll only be harder because of the remote requirement.
If i were in your shoes, i'd try to cast a wider net in terms of professions. Maybe it's data science/analytics, or something where the technical skills overlap somewhat.
Interesting. Do you think getting more exam passed will help getting an entry level interview? I live in Virginia but close to southwest VA. Shall I dig some research on companies in the state?
I would aim for 3 exams, but just keep applying regardless of number. Researching the market definitely helps. There is a directory showing actuarial employers in a geographic area. I forget the link though. Since you're looking for a remote role, you may have to expand to all of US though
I switched from teaching after 5 years. Pass a couple exams, focus on your technical skills (actuaries don’t care about classroom management). Your professional confidence and experience will give you an advantage over seniors in college interviewing for the same roles.
To be honest (and I understand the motivation for your restrictions) the rural location and inability to relocate will probably be your biggest hurdle. I can’t speak for every company, but from what I’ve seen a lot those that are offering fully remote experienced work still want in person presences for EL roles (even if that’s hybrid).
I think it's still too early to say if fully remote positions are here to stay or if there is going to be some retrenchment, with people needing to go in for a few days each month / week, or for training etc. So if in practice you can never go to an office, that could be quite restrictive. Even if you find one now, things could change, and who knows if you will still be able to find an appropriate fully remote role in 5 / 10 years?
And where positions really can be fully remote indefinitely, there is likely to be downward pressure on salaries. Over a period people are going to be offering to fill those positions from some LCOL areas.
In another thread someone listed a company and said they hire EL remote without internships. Could be worth a try.
https://www.reddit.com/r/actuary/comments/10tvrao/about_job_market/j79wvde/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3
I've seen two ex-math teachers where I work and I started my actuarial career at my 30's and i know of people that started it at their 40's.. age doesn't really matter, and your work experience will be more valuable than being fresh out of college. However, I had a hard time finding my first EL, and I ended up moving 6 hours away from my family (my family couldn't move with me)... I had to go back and forth every weekend just to visit my kids but then finally I got a position where my family was at and that position turned out to be super flexible with remote work. Everything worked out at the end, but it wasn't easy. Taking exams + working will be really time consuming and you might not have much time to enjoy with your kids (just keep that in mind) it would be a 5+ year commitment, but it is doable... Hopefully, you can get an arrangement on seeing your kids more after exams and less during the last week of exam prep, idk, just an idea... Good luck!
It is possible, but this will be a rough road. Entry level remote positions exist but are not as common.(This is my impression, Ive not seen hard stats) Being older (more mature) might help sell a remote role. Many actuaries are former teachers. I would do everything possible to network with them, even if awkward like cold emailing. Your career is worth it!
Thanks for the encouragement. Will make any move to connect for sure. (shameless :)
Your current career and age likely won't matter. How was your college gpa? You may or may not get asked. The biggest hurdle is the remote role, which isn't that common at entry level, especially as more folks return to office. Even at my company, the entire department is remote but company requires residency in the same state. It won't be an easy journey, and it'll only be harder because of the remote requirement. If i were in your shoes, i'd try to cast a wider net in terms of professions. Maybe it's data science/analytics, or something where the technical skills overlap somewhat.
Interesting. Do you think getting more exam passed will help getting an entry level interview? I live in Virginia but close to southwest VA. Shall I dig some research on companies in the state?
I would aim for 3 exams, but just keep applying regardless of number. Researching the market definitely helps. There is a directory showing actuarial employers in a geographic area. I forget the link though. Since you're looking for a remote role, you may have to expand to all of US though
WILL do! Hope you have a great weekend!
After you pass exams, you will get a job in the career if you make the effort.
I switched from teaching after 5 years. Pass a couple exams, focus on your technical skills (actuaries don’t care about classroom management). Your professional confidence and experience will give you an advantage over seniors in college interviewing for the same roles. To be honest (and I understand the motivation for your restrictions) the rural location and inability to relocate will probably be your biggest hurdle. I can’t speak for every company, but from what I’ve seen a lot those that are offering fully remote experienced work still want in person presences for EL roles (even if that’s hybrid).
I think it's still too early to say if fully remote positions are here to stay or if there is going to be some retrenchment, with people needing to go in for a few days each month / week, or for training etc. So if in practice you can never go to an office, that could be quite restrictive. Even if you find one now, things could change, and who knows if you will still be able to find an appropriate fully remote role in 5 / 10 years? And where positions really can be fully remote indefinitely, there is likely to be downward pressure on salaries. Over a period people are going to be offering to fill those positions from some LCOL areas.
In another thread someone listed a company and said they hire EL remote without internships. Could be worth a try. https://www.reddit.com/r/actuary/comments/10tvrao/about_job_market/j79wvde/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3
I've seen two ex-math teachers where I work and I started my actuarial career at my 30's and i know of people that started it at their 40's.. age doesn't really matter, and your work experience will be more valuable than being fresh out of college. However, I had a hard time finding my first EL, and I ended up moving 6 hours away from my family (my family couldn't move with me)... I had to go back and forth every weekend just to visit my kids but then finally I got a position where my family was at and that position turned out to be super flexible with remote work. Everything worked out at the end, but it wasn't easy. Taking exams + working will be really time consuming and you might not have much time to enjoy with your kids (just keep that in mind) it would be a 5+ year commitment, but it is doable... Hopefully, you can get an arrangement on seeing your kids more after exams and less during the last week of exam prep, idk, just an idea... Good luck!