Campus Club ambassador Xavier Hilmey shares how one calculus class at the University of Pittsburgh led him to switch majors, discover actuarial science, and pass his first two actuarial exams.
When I was a freshman, I was studying computer science. I always liked math in high school, and I figured that majoring in something with mathematical application would be playing to my strengths.
My first semester I was enjoying my classes, but frankly it felt like something was missing. I was realizing that computer science may not have been as math heavy as I was expecting, and this troubled me.
My second semester I decided to take Calc 2, and while this class was not in the major, I thought it would be an interesting class to take. I ended up loving the content and decided to switch to math at the end of my freshman year.
I ended up loving the content [in Calc 2] and decided to switch to math at the end of my freshman year.
Discovering Actuarial Science
I stumbled on the actuarial science major by complete accident. I had no idea what an actuary was, but the coursework looked more interesting to me than the traditional applied math major.
I looked into the major and started studying for FM over the summer. I passed FM in October and P in January. I am now studying for SRM and plan to take it in September.
I passed FM in October and P in January … I cannot emphasize enough how helpful Coaching Actuaries has been.
I cannot emphasize enough how helpful Coaching Actuaries has been in studying for my exams, and I could not have done it without the vast resources they provide.
Looking Ahead
I love what I'm doing now in terms of classwork and content, and while it was pretty scary switching majors going into my sophomore year, I am very glad I did. I can't wait to see what's next on my path to becoming an actuary.
I can't wait to see what's next on my path to becoming an actuary.
About the Author
Xavier Hilmey is a sophomore actuarial science student at the University of Pittsburgh, where he is also minoring in computer science and economics. He has passed two actuarial exams. Outside the classroom, Xavier enjoys golfing and fishing in the summer and skiing in the winter.