Description: The average person spends from one third to one half of every waking hour thinking about the past or present. We talk to ourselves when we do. Psychologists have identified three steps you can take to make your self-talk more positive. This will make you happier and better able to achieve the goals you set at home and at work.

Description: It’s tough climbing the corporate ladder as an Asian woman in the United States. In my journey, I wish I had a mentor to share their experience, clarify what I was facing, reassure me that I was not alone and guide me. That’s why I’m sharing my experience managing three cultural norms that I found most challenging professionally: 1. Obey your elders. 2. Pass exams and focus on technical skills. 3. Do not rock the boat or want too much.

Description: Read this Chairperson's Corner for the March 2024 issue of International News to learn more about planned meetings and upcoming events.

Description: Actuarial science curricula at universities tend to focus on preparing students for academic and professional exams. In this article, I will share the value of student professional development and how it complements the technical skills taught in the classroom, using Temple University as an illustrative case study.

Description: Actuary Dave Dillon describes his role volunteering his time as a teacher in higher education, including the rewards and challenges that teaching offers. He discusses the importance of being attentive to his audience’s pre-existing knowledge and adapting his presentations accordingly. His work as a teacher typically encompasses three distinct domains: 1) acquainting young students with the actuarial profession, 2) educating non-actuaries about public policy issues related to health insurance (including the Affordable Care Act), and 3) instructing current actuaries on advanced methodologies and principles within the field. Recently he taught a health insurance course for actuarial science graduate students at Georgia State University and lectured at Boise State University’s master's program in Population & Health Systems Management. In every teaching and mentoring opportunity, actuaries can contribute to the expansion and prosperity of the profession and are encouraged to pursue these endeavors.

Description: Nobody is perfect, and actuaries are no exception. At some point, every actuary is bound to make a big mistake. These kinds of mistakes can have a significant impact on an actuary's reputation — whether that impact is positive or negative depends in large part on the way someone investigates, communicates, and resolves errors they uncover. By approaching mistakes with transparency and honesty, these big mistakes can actually enhance credibility and reputation, rather than harm it.

Description: The Actuarial Teaching Conference (ATC) provides an opportunity for all faculty members engaged in actuarial teaching to come together, participate in learning sessions, share ideas, network with each other and learn more about the actuarial profession.