Caryl, Investment Associate

Caryl Position: Investment Associate Studied: Mathematics with Finance at the University of Manchester Now working for: P-Solve, London

When and why did you choose an actuarial career?

I knew I wanted to work in the financial world before I went to university but I wanted a career that allowed me to use my strong mathematical skills in real life solutions; the actuarial industry was the obvious choice! I was also attracted by the fact that there is a variety of areas to go into. I have previously worked for a pension consultancy, and now work for an investment consultancy.

What does your work involve?

I work in an investment consultancy that provides advice to liability driven organisations such as trustee groups, corporations, charities and insurance companies. My work is very varied as each organisation requires different investment solutions to their individual circumstances. Another key part of my work involves meeting and researching fund managers to assess their suitability for our clients.

Which skills do you consider to be essential for your job?

The most important skill for my job in my opinion is good communication skills as we are always in contact with our clients whether by phone, email or at meetings. On top of that strong numerical and IT skills are a must, as well as having an interest in financial markets and the economy. You also have to be very motivated and self-disciplined to be able to juggle a full time job with study.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy the fact I can use my strong numerical skills and interest in finance to solve real world problems. The world economy is constantly changing and so keeping on top of new developments is key to the successful investments of our clients. No two days are the same as each client has different needs and problems to solve.

How do you achieve a work/life balance?

It can be difficult to achieve a work/life balance with the amount of study you have to do after work and at weekends especially if you have lots of other interests like I do but if you plan your study in advance and use study days wisely then there should always be enough time to relax. However, unexpected events can often put you behind schedule so having the ability to be adaptable and disciplined is important.

Future plans?

Ideally I would like to qualify as soon as possible to be able to develop and progress at work and hopefully gain FSA registration.

Any advice you may have for others considering an actuarial career?

You have to be motivated and determined to be able to deal with the extra study on top of a demanding job but the industry provides a variety of opportunities within the financial world and can be very rewarding.