Introduction

[pauljack]

Hi All,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I live in Atlanta. I'm currently working at a Major Power Utility as a CAD Drafter.
I've been working as a Drafter for a LONG time. I've been contemplating a career change for quite a while. I realized
2 years ago I wanted to be involved in finance. I started researching different programs. To make a long story short.
I decided I liked Financial Engineering.
I received my degree in Industrial Technology in 1989. I had to take 2 calculus courses, Statistics, and Operations
Research as well as various technical courses. I realized I had to update and expand my math and Computer skills.
I'm recently taking Calc II at Georgia State University, I plan on taking More courses, taking the GRE and
applying to the Mathematical Risk management program at Georgia State. I'm also considering Applying to Baruch for
the MFE program and maybe making a move to New York sooner than I hoped. I was planning on eventually moving back
to New York State. (I'm originally from Syracuse).
Just as an aside, Georgia State has one of the best Actuarial Science
programs in the country, and I'm suprised at the similarity of the 2 professions. The programs share some of the same
courses.
I'm 40 years old right now, I'd probably be about 45 when all this education is finished. (Oh, the wasted years and
bad decisions, sometimes I shudder) Even though I have every intention of finishing this path, because I think the math
skills are extemely transferable to other fields, How much of a disadvantage do you think my age may be?

pauljack

[Andy]

Hi All,
I just wanted to introduce myself. I live in Atlanta.
Hi Paul,
Welcome to Quantnet :)
I spent some time ago in GA and heard the traffic is getting much worse now ;)
How much of a disadvantage do you think my age may be?
Well, age plays no role in the admission decision. It's never too late to do something better for your life, isn't it ? I believe we have a few students in our program who are your age. Being around young, energetic classmates will make you feel much younger. Trust me :D
That said, you've been out of school for so long so I believe before applying to Baruch MFE program, taking some math, C++ and finance courses at a college near you would be the right thing to do. Of course, you have to get As for those courses.

If you have any questions, feel free to post on the Question about Baruch's MFE program forum. Anyone here can answer your inquiries.

[pauljack]

Thank You for your reply, by the way Traffic in Atlanta is awful. I first moved in this town
10 years ago, there was a 2.5 million population. now there is are 5 million people here.
the traffic congestion is compared to Los Angeles constantly. The public transportation is
very inadequate. (AH, Traffic you touched a nerve with that one).
Thanks again.

Pauljack

[Phat Loc]

Hi Pauljack,

I have a BA in Actuarial Science and the MFE degree from Baruch. If you want to work in the Actuarial Field. I recommend you go to the

http://www.soa.org/ (Life and Health)

or

http://casact.org/ (Property and Casualty)

look over the exam syllabus, study and take the exams. Having worked as an actuary, passing exams is the most important thing to build a career as an actuary. This is even more important than a degree in the field. The reason is that insurance regulation require you to be an Actuary to sign off on insurance offerings.

The actuarial space can be divide into consulting and insurance companies. They both support your exam study by giving you days off to study for exams, money for books and exam fee. The trade off is that your job security is somewhat tied to your exam progress. If you can pass say the first 3 exams you should be able to get a job in the Actuarial space even without a degree in it.

As for MFE, technical knowledge is important but I can not stress enough the importance of networking in the finance industry. My best advice is for you to meet (online or in person) some of the people actually working in the field and talk with them. Even you can get in touch with people who can make the hiring decision that is even better. Getting through gate keepers is the trickest part.

Regards,

Phat