Starting college can feel overwhelming. But for actuarial students, writes Campus Club ambassador Lucas Collins, it also offers a unique chance to build community and create something meaningful.
Starting at a new college or university can be daunting. There may be thousands of new faces, unfamiliar expectations, and pressure to quickly figure everything out. For students pursuing actuarial science, that stress can be even greater, with the added challenge of exams and committing to a career path early.
However, this also presents a unique opportunity to connect with other students facing similar circumstances and make a meaningful impact within this niche field at your school. Making an impact doesn't require a leadership title or a network of connections. It starts with understanding what makes you unique and finding how that fits into your environment.
One small ... improvement, when executed consistently, can dramatically elevate your organization’s program.
Whether your school has a structured actuarial program, an actuarial club, a math club, or just a few students interested in this field, it’s worth paying attention to what's missing and how you might help fill those gaps.
Improving What Already Exists
If an actuarial or math club already exists, there are countless ways to improve it depending on your strengths. Consider establishing study sessions if you enjoy the exam process, creating stronger alumni relations if you like networking, or focusing on membership if you enjoy connecting with students. One small area of improvement, when executed consistently, can dramatically elevate your organization’s program.
Creating Opportunity Where This Is None
If your school has no formal club, that gap creates its own opportunity. Starting a club can be intimidating, but making an impact doesn’t need to happen on a large scale to be significant. Starting with small info sessions or monthly study groups can build strong connections, support other students, and create momentum for something bigger.
In a niche field like actuarial science, even a small effort can create lasting value for yourself and others.
Whether you are strengthening an existing organization or building a new one, making a meaningful impact begins with identifying a need and choosing to explore it. In a niche field like actuarial science, even a small effort can create lasting value for yourself and others.
About the Author
Lucas Collins is a third-year student at Northeastern University studying math and finance. After pioneering a new role in his math club as actuarial chair, he leveraged the connections he built to co-found The Actuarial Club NU. He has also passed Exams P, FM, and MAS-I, completed a 6-month actuarial co-op, and begun a second 6-month co-op on a catastrophe modeling team. Outside of actuarial science, he enjoys rock climbing both indoors and outdoors