We are often being told to take responsibility for our own careers because if you don’t, no one else will. In a volatile, fast moving, complex and global business environment doing just that becomes even more important. The actuarial landscape is no different to any other business activity. It may be developing your existing area of expertise, or switching to another actuarial specialism. It could be working in a non-traditional actuarial sector, or developing your own business idea. For those in mid to late careers, it could be taking up a portfolio career.
The IFoA is now working with Career Farm a company that works with executives, to help them manage their careers. We are currently running a pilot with over 40 members who are using Career Maximiser as part of their career development. The pilot will end in July 2019 and feedback will be made available to all members. In this short video Jane Barrett explains how Career Maximiser may assist in career planning:
Profiling tools have been around for years, but they can help you gain a valuable insight into who you are and why you do the things the way you do. Whether you work as part of a team or on your own, here are a couple of tools you may wish to use:
These may also help you understand why others may do things differently and how to adapt the way you work to get the best out of them.
Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development
When this learning is relevant to your work or role and addresses a personal development area, this can also be used to meet your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
You can review the CPD Scheme requirements on the website.
Lifelong Learners are motivated to never stop learning
Take time to reflect and plan before you begin any new projects
Reflect: check the competencies against your current role and future ambitions
Plan: identify exactly what skills and knowledge you need and how best to acquire them
Do: take courses, read articles, find a mentor, look online, volunteer
Record: write down everything you do, how far it met your objectives, the impact on your work