Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki via Unsplash.
Can the right job turn math into a fun puzzle? Taylor Ott ’19 believes it can.
Ott, whose mathematics major from Geneseo focused on actuarial science, is currently an associate actuary with Prudential Financial. Working behind the scenes to develop life insurance and annuity products, she’s part of a team that seeks unique ways to benefit Prudential’s customers without burdening the company with excessive risk.
Sounds unexciting? Not so, says Ott.
“It’s a really fun puzzle to solve,” she says. “We want to give the customer the best product that they can get, but we also have to balance that from a risk and profitability standpoint. I’ve had roles in the past where I was very data-focused. This is the first role where I’m seeing the direct impact on our customers, which is really cool.”
Ott’s actuarial experience began at Geneseo, with the Actuarial Science Club advised by Chi-Ming Tang, associate professor of mathematics. Tang keeps the school up to date on preparatory courses and the ever-changing VEEs (validation by educational experience) required for actuarial credentials. He works hard to prepare students for the first two in a series of actuarial accrediting exams, which gives graduates a good head start in the job market.
“Professor Tang’s expertise and support are unmatched by any other professor I’ve had,” says Ott. “He really taught us the grit that was needed in order to pass these exams.” Tang’s years of experience and extensive professional connections have also helped bolster Geneseo’s reputation for solid actuarial graduates who land jobs in the field.
Ott has already been designated as an ASA (Associate of the Society of Actuaries) and currently balances work and life while studying for her FSA (Fellowship of the Society of Actuaries) designation. She appreciates the ability, open to many actuaries, to work remotely, but says one of the best parts of her job is the opportunity to be constantly learning.
“I have a very active mind, and I love how every single day, I’m using the full capacity of my brain,” she says. “I don’t do a lot of mundane work, no repetitive processes that are just clicking the same buttons over and over. I’m a very curious person. I really like having a lot of collaboration and teaching and learning at the same time.”
She’s now mentoring those in the field who are where she was five years ago, and she says she enjoys sharing knowledge as much as she loves learning.
“A lot of people think, what do I do with a math major if I don’t want to teach?” she says. “But I love math, and actuarial science was a unique opportunity.”
Learn more about Geneseo’s Department of Mathematics.