What are your goals for 2022?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Yeah my last boss did a number on me with her constant moving of the goalposts.  According to her we should always strive for perfection so she couldn't tell me I was doing a good job because that would imply I achieved it.  By withholding praise or a higher review score she was keeping me motivated to always improve myself.

Yeah no.  That made it A LOT easier to do what the career coach said and stop giving my version of 100%.  She told me I need to learn to give 80% because my 80% is still better than most people's 100%.  If I keep giving 100% I'm going to keep landing in the same position of being expected to give 120% and getting in trouble when I reveal I am not superwoman.

So thanks M for giving me that talisman to hang around my neck any time I start feeling ambitious around here.

I squabbled with my old lab investigators but at the end of the day I was rewarded for my work. She told me I was going to be listed as an author but had no idea she would put me as second.  That's not a place that the technician generally holds if they even get to be listed as one at all.

I am used to not getting monetary rewards though that would be nice for a change if I find different employment.  I would like to find an employer that at least treats me like I am human and worthy of respect/recognition with more than a freezer burned fat free sugar free fudge pop once a year.  At least give me the full fat version!

[chiver78]

hugs, TheO. seasonal employees don't seem to be treated very well anywhere, at least what I've seen. sorry you dealt with that. 

[TheOtherMe]

They don't get to abuse me any more.

I was appreciated at the church job and they did tell me.  Not necessarily the pastor, but the treasurer, the board and the members themselves.

[honeysalt]

Party like it is 1999!  I was in college in 1999 and took a road trip for New Year's with a friend to the West Coast.  My parents were terrified about me traveling during Y2K.  Meanwhile, I had a fantastic night ringing in 2000 on a cold beach with a great friend, her dog and dozens of strangers.

In the past 2 years, all my worry and fret has led to one outcome - exponential increase in gray hairs.  No improvement or benefit, so I'd like to have more fun and worry less this year. 

[Opti]

Jan 18, 2022 16:15:14 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Yeah my last boss did a number on me with her constant moving of the goalposts.  According to her we should always strive for perfection so she couldn't tell me I was doing a good job because that would imply I achieved it.  By withholding praise or a higher review score she was keeping me motivated to always improve myself.

Yeah no.  That made it A LOT easier to do what the career coach said and stop giving my version of 100%.  She told me I need to learn to give 80% because my 80% is still better than most people's 100%.  If I keep giving 100% I'm going to keep landing in the same position of being expected to give 120% and getting in trouble when I reveal I am not superwoman.

So thanks M for giving me that talisman to hang around my neck any time I start feeling ambitious around here.

I squabbled with my old lab investigators but at the end of the day I was rewarded for my work. She told me I was going to be listed as an author but had no idea she would put me as second.  That's not a place that the technician generally holds if they even get to be listed as one at all.

I am used to not getting monetary rewards though that would be nice for a change if I find different employment.  I would like to find an employer that at least treats me like I am human and worthy of respect/recognition with more than a freezer burned fat free sugar free fudge pop once a year.  At least give me the full fat version!

My worst boss at my last company loved that perfection theory because she wanted to keep people down and make our mgmt happy.
People have to acknowledge you walk on water to get over a 2% raise. She gave me my worst review ever because she was a petty
person who asked for the impossible and wanted to use me as target practice. Because of her, I almost didn't get my 2% raise. The ironic thing, is I did more than ever before, I deserved a 3% raise but instead I had to go through HR to get my 2%. I don't know if she got fired or left, but I was very glad to see her go. To this day, if I see someone hanging shit up like "Like a boss", I see that as red flag they know shit and will be trouble.

I needed to learn to do less, at let the paddling duck feet show. It's not my nature, it's not how I was brought up. However, I need to remember to use people's stupid perceptions against them instead of letting their inability slow me down or harm me.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Little frustrated.  Took the career tests the coach sent me, they aren't stuff written in stone like my HS guidance counselor tried to make them but supposed to be guidelines.

Guess which freaking careers it listed?  Not only did every single one of them stick me where I am right now but also suggested things like "Anthropologist".  Yes because the logical solution to me wanting to get out of a shrinking underpaid field is to go into yet another one.

So I don't think the exercise did what she was hoping to accomplish it just made me more depressed because it reinforced the idea that I am not meant to be/going to be good at anything else.

I took it upon myself to type in the random things that have been going on in my head into Indeed to see what popped up job wise.  Two are total pie in the sky jobs that would be awesome to work my way towards "someday" if I could. Knowing what I might need to push myself towards those options would be helpful.    I decided that was a more productive use of my time than browsing careers I already know I don't want.

Then I am reading a book about genius women that is not exactly motivating me.   Instead it's making me wonder how many times I've shot myself in the foot over the years like believing all the teachers that I was just not good at math (in my brain this translated to dumb) which probably had underlying gender bias baked in especially in the late 90's.   I was too scared to try computers because it looked like they used a lot of math and clearly I was too stupid to be able to do that.

Urgh.  I hate discovering things about myself.   Two of my personality traits are intellection and input which translates to I think ALL the thinks and then get stuck in a loop.   These can be good in some ways because I am excellent at troubleshoot problems at work because I can sit and work a problem in my mind to death.  It's not so useful when it comes to my self esteem.

[Opti]

Jan 19, 2022 8:45:39 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Little frustrated.  Took the career tests the coach sent me, they aren't stuff written in stone like my HS guidance counselor tried to make them but supposed to be guidelines.

Guess which freaking careers it listed?  Not only did every single one of them stick me where I am right now but also suggested things like "Anthropologist".  Yes because the logical solution to me wanting to get out of a shrinking underpaid field is to go into yet another one.

So I don't think the exercise did what she was hoping to accomplish it just made me more depressed because it reinforced the idea that I am not meant to be/going to be good at anything else.

I took it upon myself to type in the random things that have been going on in my head into Indeed to see what popped up job wise.  Two are total pie in the sky jobs that would be awesome to work my way towards "someday" if I could. Knowing what I might need to push myself towards those options would be helpful.    I decided that was a more productive use of my time than browsing careers I already know I don't want.

Then I am reading a book about genius women that is not exactly motivating me.   Instead it's making me wonder how many times I've shot myself in the foot over the years like believing all the teachers that I was just not good at math (in my brain this translated to dumb) which probably had underlying gender bias baked in especially in the late 90's.   I was too scared to try computers because it looked like they used a lot of math and clearly I was too stupid to be able to do that.

Urgh.  I hate discovering things about myself.   Two of my personality traits are intellection and input which translates to I think ALL the thinks and then get stuck in a loop.   These can be good in some ways because I am excellent at troubleshoot problems at work because I can sit and work a problem in my mind to death.  It's not so useful when it comes to my self esteem.

I think you should deeply consider using your ability to story tell for good. Become a political operative for the Dems.

The bad thing about career coaching or careers in general is society rewards different skills differently. A social worker will rarely make much money no matter how good they are, or how much they are needed. What you are good at and what pays well in this current time may not align at all.

Yep, welcome to the world of most smart women.

[Deleted]

Jan 19, 2022 9:41:57 GMT -5 Opti said:

The bad thing about career coaching or careers in general is society rewards different skills differently. A social worker will rarely make much money no matter how good they are, or how much they are needed. What you are good at and what pays well in this current time may not align at all.

Yep, welcome to the world of most smart women.

I know. I'm profoundly grateful that I like Math and computers because it led to a great career that paid well. I look at how hard people in the "helping" professions work- social workers, clergy, nursing home workers, etc.- and feel almost guilty that, because of an accident of nature, I was blessed with a skillset that paid well for a job that was not physically demanding and included some cushy travel.

[chiver78]

Jan 19, 2022 9:48:10 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Jan 19, 2022 9:41:57 GMT -5 Opti said:

The bad thing about career coaching or careers in general is society rewards different skills differently. A social worker will rarely make much money no matter how good they are, or how much they are needed. What you are good at and what pays well in this current time may not align at all.

Yep, welcome to the world of most smart women.

I know. I'm profoundly grateful that I like Math and computers because it led to a great career that paid well. I look at how hard people in the "helping" professions work- social workers, clergy, nursing home workers, etc.- and feel almost guilty that, because of an accident of nature, I was blessed with a skillset that paid well for a job that was not physically demanding and included some cushy travel.

  all of that. and I took a rather convoluted path to get to my current position, too. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I'm paid all right for the area right now that's why I made the decision to leave the university.  Not only do they pay peanuts for techs but they were messing with our benefits so I was taking home less and less yet not getting so much as a 1% raise.

I'll have to leave here eventually for the same reason.  I have never expected to earn six figures.  I would like to break $50k at some point in my life but that's not my ultimate goal at the moment.  My goal at the moment is just to find out what options I have that aren't even more restrictive or lesser paid than the one I am in now.   I don't know how to look at my resume and see I am qualified for a job that isn't specifically my job.

It's not a confidence thing it's that I literally have no clue how to write a resume for anything other than what I do.  Which the career coach said is 100% normal given I come from academia which has a very rigid check list and expectations for the hiring process.  She said most people who leave academics struggle with the transition.  That's one of the things we are supposed to work on together.

I took a shot in the dark and applied for something at UNMC.  Since I don't meet the bullet list AND I am an outside candidate my changes of being so much as given an interview are nada.  This isn't pessimism I worked there 14 years I have a really good understanding of how their hiring process works.   It is heavily geared towards internal applicants (which worked in my favor so I am not knocking it) and as mentioned above there is very little wiggle room to consider candidates who don't match the checklist.

But it gave me a chance to try arguing that my skills can be applicable even if I don't perfectly fit HR's bullet points so it was good practice.

[Opti]

Jan 19, 2022 9:48:10 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Jan 19, 2022 9:41:57 GMT -5 Opti said:

The bad thing about career coaching or careers in general is society rewards different skills differently. A social worker will rarely make much money no matter how good they are, or how much they are needed. What you are good at and what pays well in this current time may not align at all.

Yep, welcome to the world of most smart women.

I know. I'm profoundly grateful that I like Math and computers because it led to a great career that paid well. I look at how hard people in the "helping" professions work- social workers, clergy, nursing home workers, etc.- and feel almost guilty that, because of an accident of nature, I was blessed with a skillset that paid well for a job that was not physically demanding and included some cushy travel.

I am profoundly angry, because I too was good at math and computers. I am also good with words and some of the arts. I was directed into engineering. I come from the end of the baby Boom, the beginning of the 60s when all things changed. My micro demographic will be one of those quoted for years as underpaid to others just because of the forces of change in the world during our existence.

I do not feel guilty because I aimed at was supposed to be a lifetime career and was anything but for me. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

And rejected.  Not shocked.  I am shocked it took them 24 hours usually they reject you a lot faster than that.  Pretty much confirms my days at the university are over in any size shape or form.  I just find it funny that I worked there 14 years but now that I left it's like I never even started.   And they wonder why they are losing current talent and can't find new talent.  Gee. . .I wonder. 

[Deleted]

Jan 20, 2022 10:52:00 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

And rejected.  Not shocked.  I am shocked it took them 24 hours usually they reject you a lot faster than that.  Pretty much confirms my days at the university are over in any size shape or form.  I just find it funny that I worked there 14 years but now that I left it's like I never even started.   And they wonder why they are losing current talent and can't find new talent.  Gee. . .I wonder. 

I'm sorry to see that.  I read a study that said that women will apply for a job only if they meet 80% of the criteria but men will apply if they meet 50%.  I related this to a niece, thinking it would be useful career advice and she told me she applies if she meets 10% of the requirements.  

Which is probably why she was making $100K before she was 30.

But you tried.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Jan 20, 2022 12:07:40 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Jan 20, 2022 10:52:00 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

And rejected.  Not shocked.  I am shocked it took them 24 hours usually they reject you a lot faster than that.  Pretty much confirms my days at the university are over in any size shape or form.  I just find it funny that I worked there 14 years but now that I left it's like I never even started.   And they wonder why they are losing current talent and can't find new talent.  Gee. . .I wonder. 

I'm sorry to see that.  I read a study that said that women will apply for a job only if they meet 80% of the criteria but men will apply if they meet 50%.  I related this to a niece, thinking it would be useful career advice and she told me she applies if she meets 10% of the requirements.  

Which is probably why she was making $100K before she was 30.

But you tried.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Universities are weird.  They have very strict requirements for jobs.  If you don't meet that checklist you don't get the job.  That's why I was stuck. I couldn't move on because even though Coordinator jobs only require 5 years experience I don't have a master's.  No master's you get rejected before anyone even sees your resume.  Period.

That may not be how the people who actually will be employing the person view it but that's how jobs are set up there really isn't any way to get around it.

Also can't get around the fact it's heavily biased towards internal candidates.  I got incredibly lucky that the lab I got in was coming from the outside themselves so I feel that gave me an opening.   Once in I was golden.   I've told many people who want to work there it's almost impossible to get hired from the outside.

The zoo is the same way, they much prefer to poach from other zoos but they have to post jobs so they can't be sued for implied discrimination.  I know this because I interned there and got the down low from employees.  I'm never going to work there no matter how much I want to.

Doesn't exactly instill confidence in me that I am going to be able to reinvent myself though. I keep hearing these lines about how it's just I am too chicken shit to go for jobs I am not 100% qualified for yet every single one I've done that with I've been rejected.   Which is what I am hoping the career counselor can help me with maybe it's a branding problem.

But if they won't consider me they won't consider me and I am exhausted over the constant implication that it's my fault as a woman I'm stuck. Is that part of it?  Possibly but it's far more likely it's because I started out in a very rigid field that has become smaller and more competitive as time goes on.  I applaud people who can overnight reinvent themselves and get their dream job I'm not one of them.

[azucena]

Drama - do you think you were open minded enough when you took the test? Wondering if you accidentally pigeonholed yourself by providing the "right" answers.

[Lizard Queen]

Jan 20, 2022 12:19:45 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Jan 20, 2022 12:07:40 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

I'm sorry to see that.  I read a study that said that women will apply for a job only if they meet 80% of the criteria but men will apply if they meet 50%.  I related this to a niece, thinking it would be useful career advice and she told me she applies if she meets 10% of the requirements.  

Which is probably why she was making $100K before she was 30.

But you tried.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Universities are weird.  They have very strict requirements for jobs.  If you don't meet that checklist you don't get the job.  That's why I was stuck. I couldn't move on because even though Coordinator jobs only require 5 years experience I don't have a master's.  No master's you get rejected before anyone even sees your resume.  Period.

That may not be how the people who actually will be employing the person view it but that's how jobs are set up there really isn't any way to get around it.

Also can't get around the fact it's heavily biased towards internal candidates.  I got incredibly lucky that the lab I got in was coming from the outside themselves so I feel that gave me an opening.   Once in I was golden.   I've told many people who want to work there it's almost impossible to get hired from the outside.

The zoo is the same way, they much prefer to poach from other zoos but they have to post jobs so they can't be sued for implied discrimination.  I know this because I interned there and got the down low from employees.  I'm never going to work there no matter how much I want to.

Doesn't exactly instill confidence in me that I am going to be able to reinvent myself though. I keep hearing these lines about how it's just I am too chicken shit to go for jobs I am not 100% qualified for yet every single one I've done that with I've been rejected.   Which is what I am hoping the career counselor can help me with maybe it's a branding problem.

But if they won't consider me they won't consider me and I am exhausted over the constant implication that it's my fault as a woman I'm stuck. Is that part of it?  Possibly but it's far more likely it's because I started out in a very rigid field that has become smaller and more competitive as time goes on.  I applaud people who can overnight reinvent themselves and get their dream job I'm not one of them.

Well, if you think about what the product is that universities produce, it makes sense they value that the most.  I mean, it doesn't make sense overall, but the logic of it is there.

The zoo, I've run into that same thing with the area of accounting I was pigeonholed into. Where you start tends to determine where you end up. I was lucky to get into a place that allowed me to pivot after I was initially hired into the same old thing.  But usually,  they just wanna hire someone who did the exact same thing somewhere else. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Jan 20, 2022 19:54:35 GMT -5 azucena said:

Drama - do you think you were open minded enough when you took the test? Wondering if you accidentally pigeonholed yourself by providing the "right" answers.

Eh I suppose it is possible because these tests aren't subjective.

I'll give them they didn't say actor like in high school.

They aren't wrong my talents and interests do ean heavily into science. What those tests can't know is the fields they suggest are dying, underpaid. Oversaturated and sometimes all three.

They aren't really meant to tell me how to take those skills and stick them in a different box completely.

I've had better luck typing random stuff I'm interested in into Indeed and seeing what jobs pop up. I'm copying them into Google docs. That way I have actual examples I can share and please help me pick apart my resume.

Will I fit all of them? No I'll likely need further education of some sort but I'll at least know better what I can already sell and be more targeted in any additional education as opposed to my last brilliant attempt at trying to force myself into medical science.

I'm just in my typical January mood and doing the counseling is forcing me to linger on it. Hopefully my session on Sunday can help me direct my thoughts if not in a positive direction at least a more realistic one.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Believe me I get how academics work. I was facing getting a master's just to stay in place. Possibly a PhD with the way that market is going. I wasn't willing to put that much time into staying in place.

Eventually something will break because there are few young people and talent coming down the pike but I wasn't going to wait for it to happen.

Since academics are so strict my resume and interview style reflect that. So does how I choose jobs. She said pretty much everyone who leaves academics struggles with this. I'm only three years out and that was to the exact same type of job.

So I need help getting out of that rigid box. The personality tests did not help with my frustration concerning that. They boxed me in differently but it's still a box.

You'd think writing would come up but it never does which surprises me. Statistics did pop up so at least something thinks I may be good at math.

[azucena]

You might look into life insurance underwriter career.  There's a huge need for the foreseeable future as the boomers retire from this career.  Most of the training happens on the job along with some certification tests.  The links below don't mention science degrees, but I've seen plenty crossover from that side as well as majors of all sorts as there is no degree that translates to underwriter.  Happy to answer questions here or via IM.  I could also link to my employer's current openings if that would help give you an idea of what it's about.

Several life ins companies in Omaha - Woodmen and Mutual of Omaha come to mind.

www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/life-insurance-underwriter-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm

www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/020915/how-do-i-become-underwriter.asp

[Deleted]

Jan 21, 2022 12:29:45 GMT -5 azucena said:

You might look into life insurance underwriter career.  There's a huge need for the foreseeable future as the boomers retire from this career.  Most of the training happens on the job along with some certification tests.  The links below don't mention science degrees, but I've seen plenty crossover from that side as well as majors of all sorts as there is no degree that translates to underwriter.  

Insurance (knock wood) is still a field that treats its employees decently.  You're more likely to have health insurance as part of your compensation and working conditions are pretty clean, with WFH an option for most.  I fell into the actuarial field because it was the only offer I had; DS got out of college with a math degree and a pitiful GPA and started PT in Customer Service for an insurer in Des Moines. His job was to answer the phone when people called in with a claim, sympathize, calm them down, take down the info and pass it on to the Claims Adjustors.  After 6 months they brought him on FT and now he handles messy litigation claims.  That side of the business requires the ability to handle conflict and good negotiation skills.  I have neither.

And, as with the underwriters azucena mentioned, DS tells me they're losing many claims adjusters to retirement.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Jan 21, 2022 12:29:45 GMT -5 azucena said:

You might look into life insurance underwriter career.  There's a huge need for the foreseeable future as the boomers retire from this career.  Most of the training happens on the job along with some certification tests.  The links below don't mention science degrees, but I've seen plenty crossover from that side as well as majors of all sorts as there is no degree that translates to underwriter.  Happy to answer questions here or via IM.  I could also link to my employer's current openings if that would help give you an idea of what it's about.

Several life ins companies in Omaha - Woodmen and Mutual of Omaha come to mind.

www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/life-insurance-underwriter-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm

www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/020915/how-do-i-become-underwriter.asp

Of course I know Mutual of Omaha and Woodmen.   I couldn't call myself an Omahan if I didn't. 

That is actually something that popped up when I was playing with various ways to enter "data analysis" into Indeed.  I feel like I've made more ground randomly typing stuff and see what jobs come up then doing my actual career homework.  The goal of the career testing was to get me thinking of other options so I suppose I did complete the assignment just not the way it was intended.

I am excited to share with her my list on Sunday and see where that goes.

I was also supposed to read a book called Taming your Gremlin but I forgot.    I skimmed it since it's available digitally through the library.  I found myself rolling my eyes at it it's written pretty badly.  I've read better books about your inner demons/voices, how to be mindful of them and eventually conquer them.   Which is why I hired someone to hopefully help me out here I know my inner monologue very well thank you.  I need someone from the outside to shake it up and challenge it.

[raeoflyte]

Jan 21, 2022 12:29:45 GMT -5 azucena said:

You might look into life insurance underwriter career.  There's a huge need for the foreseeable future as the boomers retire from this career.  Most of the training happens on the job along with some certification tests.  The links below don't mention science degrees, but I've seen plenty crossover from that side as well as majors of all sorts as there is no degree that translates to underwriter.  Happy to answer questions here or via IM.  I could also link to my employer's current openings if that would help give you an idea of what it's about.

Several life ins companies in Omaha - Woodmen and Mutual of Omaha come to mind.

www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/life-insurance-underwriter-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm

www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/020915/how-do-i-become-underwriter.asp

Question...how has and do you expect automated underwriting to affect job stability? I'm perpetually looking for a more stable industry to transition into for the 2nd half of my career.

[azucena]

Feb 1, 2022 16:25:33 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Jan 21, 2022 12:29:45 GMT -5 azucena said:

You might look into life insurance underwriter career.  There's a huge need for the foreseeable future as the boomers retire from this career.  Most of the training happens on the job along with some certification tests.  The links below don't mention science degrees, but I've seen plenty crossover from that side as well as majors of all sorts as there is no degree that translates to underwriter.  Happy to answer questions here or via IM.  I could also link to my employer's current openings if that would help give you an idea of what it's about.

Several life ins companies in Omaha - Woodmen and Mutual of Omaha come to mind.

www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/life-insurance-underwriter-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm

www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/020915/how-do-i-become-underwriter.asp

Question...how has and do you expect automated underwriting to affect job stability? I'm perpetually looking for a more stable industry to transition into for the 2nd half of my career.

Currently about 80% of all underwritten life policies still pass thru a human underwriter. And it's only that high bc covid forced underwriting concessions. Because the US lags behind on streamlines electronic medical records, it's tough to automate cases beyond age 55 and 1-2M because medical histories must be considered to maintain current mortality and premium levels. Companies haven't been able to Crack true automation. In fact, underwriters are becoming so scarce with beginning of boomer retirement that my company has a 5 yr strategy to become an underwriting partner for many of our clients. We've been hiring them like crazy since June and can't train them fast enough to keep up with demand.

Happy to answer more questions

[raeoflyte]

Feb 1, 2022 19:24:34 GMT -5 azucena said:

Feb 1, 2022 16:25:33 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Question...how has and do you expect automated underwriting to affect job stability? I'm perpetually looking for a more stable industry to transition into for the 2nd half of my career.

Currently about 80% of all underwritten life policies still pass thru a human underwriter. And it's only that high bc covid forced underwriting concessions. Because the US lags behind on streamlines electronic medical records, it's tough to automate cases beyond age 55 and 1-2M because medical histories must be considered to maintain current mortality and premium levels. Companies haven't been able to Crack true automation. In fact, underwriters are becoming so scarce with beginning of boomer retirement that my company has a 5 yr strategy to become an underwriting partner for many of our clients. We've been hiring them like crazy since June and can't train them fast enough to keep up with demand.

Happy to answer more questions

Thank you! You've really given me something to think about.

I'm reading online that you typically need other insurance underwriting experience before moving into life insurance. Would you say that's accurate or outdated? I wouldnt be opposed, but also want to minimize a pay cut if I do make a change.

Everything online talks about job growth declining in the field, but they don't mention anything about how many current employees are at retirement age. That definitely seems like a good time to get in.

I know math is your jam. I work with #'s but it's all basic math. Do you think I'd need to brush that up before digging in farther?

[Deleted]

Feb 2, 2022 9:20:07 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Everything online talks about job growth declining in the field, but they don't mention anything about how many current employees are at retirement age. That definitely seems like a good time to get in.

I know math is your jam. I work with #'s but it's all basic math. Do you think I'd need to brush that up before digging in farther?

Take a look at the CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) exams. Here's the link to their site.

www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/CLU

DS and I are both CPCUs (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter) and I found the exams rigorous and well-organized but not the time sump that the actuarial exams were. The actuarial exams took me 8 years and that's about average. I failed a few of them but the pass ratio at the time was typically 35-40%. I believe Azucena is taking (or has completed) the Society of Actuaries exams for life insurance. I do not recommend the actuarial exams unless you LOVE calculus and are willing to have no life for a few years!

[azucena]

Rae - athena's link is packed with info.  Shouldn't be much math in the underwriting side of life ins.  I'd explain it as compiling all of the applicant info, medical info, etc to figure out which risk class to charge.

[raeoflyte]

Feb 2, 2022 10:20:37 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Feb 2, 2022 9:20:07 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Everything online talks about job growth declining in the field, but they don't mention anything about how many current employees are at retirement age. That definitely seems like a good time to get in.

I know math is your jam. I work with #'s but it's all basic math. Do you think I'd need to brush that up before digging in farther?

Take a look at the CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) exams. Here's the link to their site.

www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/CLU

DS and I are both CPCUs (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter) and I found the exams rigorous and well-organized but not the time sump that the actuarial exams were. The actuarial exams took me 8 years and that's about average. I failed a few of them but the pass ratio at the time was typically 35-40%. I believe Azucena is taking (or has completed) the Society of Actuaries exams for life insurance. I do not recommend the actuarial exams unless you LOVE calculus and are willing to have no life for a few years!

Thank you! That is very helpful!

I always like the idea of being an actuary, but I didn't go nearly far enough with math when I was in school. I would love to correct that - even outside of career goals, just to know I could. But it's getting about as much traction as getting fluent in Spanish. Which is to say - not much. Lol.

[raeoflyte]

Feb 2, 2022 11:42:53 GMT -5 azucena said:

Rae - athena's link is packed with info.  Shouldn't be much math in the underwriting side of life ins.  I'd explain it as compiling all of the applicant info, medical info, etc to figure out which risk class to charge.

Thank you!

[countrygirl2]

Goals for 2022? Mine are pretty simple, survive till 2023, LOL! And try to keep myself and our family healthy as possible. And hope to enjoy life more.

[Ava]

Jan 21, 2022 12:29:45 GMT -5 azucena said:

You might look into life insurance underwriter career.  There's a huge need for the foreseeable future as the boomers retire from this career.  Most of the training happens on the job along with some certification tests.  The links below don't mention science degrees, but I've seen plenty crossover from that side as well as majors of all sorts as there is no degree that translates to underwriter.  Happy to answer questions here or via IM.  I could also link to my employer's current openings if that would help give you an idea of what it's about.

Several life ins companies in Omaha - Woodmen and Mutual of Omaha come to mind.

www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/life-insurance-underwriter-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm

www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/020915/how-do-i-become-underwriter.asp

It sounds like there are good opportunities in this area.
Could you send me a link, please?
Once I come back from vacation in May, I'm thinking I need to overhaul my career. 
I would love a fully remote job so I can live wherever I want in the U.S.
I love underwriting and I do a little bit of it in my current position.