Description: Over the last decade, the actuarial career has gained significant attention of entry level job-seekers as it continues to be one of the consistently top rated jobs in the market. There are different avenues to break into the profession, but one of the most common is through an Actuarial Student Program, where a company formally supports the exam progress of individuals through paid study materials, exam fees, and time off to study. Most programs also include an emphasis on development of leadership and communication skills. As the recruiter for MassMutual’s Actuarial Student Program, I get the opportunity to regularly share with candidates why I believe a student program is such a powerful springboard for a successful actuarial career. Profiled in the article is two actuarial students and one recent actuarial student program “graduate” to highlight the value a student program can bring to one’s professional development.

Description: In the midst of the activity and glitter of Times Square, one group of actuaries devoted an entire SOA meeting one morning to developing their communication knowledge and skills. The workshop titled, “Actuaries can Communicate,” was designed to identify ways to communicate more effectively as an actuary, to develop individual communication competence and to practice communication skills central to the work of an actuary. From The Stepping Stone, April 2005, Issue No. 18.

Description: Reinventing the Actuarial Image by Sudha Shenoy from The Stepping Stone Newsletter, July 2004, Issue No. 15.

Description: Humor in the workplace can improve productivity. This article describes a typical office relationship problem and how humor helped disparate teams work together.

Description: This article goes through effective ways to give, and ask for, feedback in real time

Description: This paper was authored by the executive vice president of Executive Search Consulting Partners. This paper provides six easy to follow tips to make telephone interviewing painless.

Description: I recently attended a conference where a succession of speakers crossed the line from self-absorption to rudeness. Indifferent to the obvious distress of their audience, they each rumbled interminably over their allotted 20-minute presentation times. From The Stepping Stone, April 2005, Issue No. 18.

Description: This article defines "elevator pitch" and why one is needed. A great elevator pitch is an indispensable competitive advantage that will accelerate your career progress. A poor one can leave you toiling in anonymity.

Description: Tips for effective communication globally.