President: John Miller Phone: (484) 643-8863 E-Mail: jzm5886@psu.edu Website: www.psuactsci.com Actuarial Science Club Strategic Plan 1
Introduction The Penn State Actuarial Science Program was established in 1973. Students may enter the program through either the Smeal College of Business s Risk Management Department or the Eberly College of Science s Mathematics/Statistics Department. The Penn State Actuarial Science Club was formed in the 1970 s to unify and share resources among students studying actuarial science across the mathematics, statistics, and risk management majors. The club is governed by an Executive Board and is actively supported by the Head of the Actuarial Science Program. More details regarding the governing structure will be discussed in the section ( Executive Board and Organization Composition ). Updates for the Spring 2017 Fall 2017 Actuarial Science Club Strategic Plan include adding excel workshops, selling Actuarial Science merchandise, modifying the Corporate Liaison officer position, and restructuring the mentor program. For more information regarding Actuarial Science Club members, alumni, events, and program, visit www.psuactsci.com. Mission Statement To direct students towards successful actuarial careers. Vision Statement Our goals are: To place our members in the most sought after internships and full-time positions To offer worthwhile programming to our members To foster a sense of community among actuarial students To position ourselves to remain as one of the top actuarial science programs in the country for years to come To support our members in passing actuarial exams To improve the work of past club leaders To provide a student perspective on development of the actuarial science undergraduate curriculum Actuarial Science Club Strategic Plan 2
Executive Board and Organization Composition The Executive Board runs the day-to-day activities of the Actuarial Science Club. Details regarding the role of each officer can be found under About Us>Executive Board Structure at www.psuactsci.com. A recent change is the selection of Co- Corporate Liaisons to improve corporate outreach/communications, with the shared email address psuactuarial@gmail.com (which can also be used for future corporate liasons). Executive Board: Spring 2017 Fall 2017 President John Miller (jzm5886@psu.edu) Vice President Shelley Shen (sxs5999@psu.edu) Treasurer Mitch Yerk (msy5055@psu.edu) Co-Corporate Liaison Ethan Frederick (esf5093@psu.edu) Co-Corporate Liaison Ivan Yen (ivy5011@psu.edu) Corporate Outreach Officer Paul Birch (pvb5171@psu.edu) Student Relations Chair Yalan Yu (yqy5207@psu.edu) International Student Chair Sihan Liu (sfl5084@psu.edu) Social Chair Noah Blake (nrb5272@psu.edu) Webmaster Kuan Lam (Christina Lei) (kpl5146@psu.edu) Database Manager Di Fan Zheng (dmz5099@psu.edu) Secretary Kylie Krout (kak5953@psu.edu) Freshman Liaison Grace McStravock (gvm5232@psu.edu) Sophomore Liaison Katie Vandergast (kav5217@psu.edu) Junior Liaison Harry Yeatman (hmy5027@psu.edu) Faculty Advisor Ron Gebhardtsbauer, FSA MAAA Associate Clinical Professor in Risk Management Head of the Actuarial Science Program at Penn State Office: 331 Business Building Phone: 814-865-4153 E-mail: rug16@psu.edu The Faculty Advisor provides guidance and serves as a liaison between the Actuarial Science Club members and the faculty and staff of the Actuarial Science Department. The President and Vice President meet with the club s Faculty Actuarial Science Club Strategic Plan 3
Advisor every month and exchange email updates on a weekly basis. Other executive members communicate with the Faculty Advisor on a need-to basis. Events/Programs for Spring 2017 Fall 2017 The following activities are signature Actuarial Science Club events and programs, ordered based on the club s focus and placement of importance. Changes Include: The Mentor Program s enrollment process has been restructured to increase the quality of mentors. The new event/program additions are: (1) Excel Workshop Series and (2) Merchandise. EVENTS: Actuarial Science Career Fair Date: September 11, 2017 Time: 5:00PM 8:00PM (TBD for 2017) Location: Business Building Atrium, Smeal College of Business, University Park, PA In the fall, the Actuarial Science Club sponsors an Actuarial Science Career Fair for approximately 120 members. Over 30 companies attend each year. This fair is the marquee event of our organization and serves as a major driver in placing our members into internships and full-time jobs. Primarily the Corporate Liaisons, President, Vice President, and Faculty Advisor handle the coordination of the Actuarial Science Career Fair. Details regarding attendance fees, publicity, and transport for recruiters can be found at http://www.psuactsci.com/career-fair-registration.html. Company Information Sessions Date: Throughout School Year Time: Any Location: Smeal College of Business, University Park, PA Throughout the school year, companies organize information sessions through the Actuarial Science Club in order to allow our members to learn more about various companies and industries. Company information sessions are a valuable tool for networking and recruiting. Near the Actuarial Science Career Fair, company information sessions are attended by on average 40 members. Typically, the corporate liaisons, President, and Vice President schedule company information sessions. The event is advertised through the email listserv, on the website homepage, and by word-of-mouth. Former interns who are back on campus may be asked to promote your information session. Further tips and registration details at http://www.psuactsci.com/information-sessions.html. Major Forum Date: August 29, 2017 (TBD for 2017) Time: 6:00-7:30PM (TBD for 2017) Location: 110 Business Building, Smeal College of Business, University Park, PA The Major Forum is a yearly kick-off to welcome new students and returning members to the Actuarial Science Program and Club. The Executive Board and Faculty Advisor introduce themselves and present a PPT covering the degree requirements and resources available through Actuarial Science Club Strategic Plan 4
the club and department. The Actuarial Science Club s top company sponsors are also featured in the Major Forum PPT. Resume and Interview Workshops Date: Spring 2017 and Fall 2017 Time: 6:00-7:00PM Location: 358 Willard, University Park, PA Twice per year, the Actuarial Science Club hosts a resume workshop and an interview workshop. Presented by the Vice President, these workshops help students prepare for the Actuarial Science Career Fair and recruiting season. Members benefit from the feedback the Executive Board gives on individual resumes, mock interviews, and 30-second pitches. International Student Meeting Date: Spring 2017 and Fall 2017 Time: 6:00-7:00PM Location: Campus, University Park, PA International students make up approximately a third of our members. To support the unique challenges of these members, the International Student Chair hosts an international student meeting twice per year. At this meeting, international students can ask questions to a panel of international upper classmen who have internships, full-time jobs, and/or acceptance to a graduate school. Speaker Series Date: Throughout School Year Location: Smeal College of Business, University Park, PA Throughout the school year, the Actuarial Science Club brings in several speakers to discuss major topics in the actuarial profession. Each year, it is customary for either the President of the Society of Actuaries or the President of the Casualty Actuarial Society to deliver a presentation on SOA/CAS to the general body members. Additionally, company recruiters and alumni speak on topics, such as evaluating job offers, industry trends, etc. Inviting and coordinating with speakers is done by the Corporate Liaisons. Excel Workshop Series Date: Spring 2017 Time: 6:00-7:00PM Location: Campus, University Park, PA Starting this year, the Actuarial Science Club is offering a series of Excel workshops to teach members valuable technical skills, such as vlookups, pivot tables, macros, VBA, Access, and shortcuts. Presented by the Vice President, these workshops will feature step-by-step problem solving and give students an upper hand in upcoming internships and full-time jobs. Field Trip to Employers Date: March & April & TBD Time: 2-3 days Location: On-site In order to experience the on-site culture of companies outside of second-round interviews, the Actuarial Science Club coordinates between two to four field trips to visit potential employers on-site. The Corporate Outreach Officer and Treasurer handle the field trip logistics. Actuarial Science Club Strategic Plan 5
Social Events Frequency: Once per Month The Social Chair plans one social event per month to engage club members in building a network of support among fellow actuarial students. Previous social events include: ice cream social, BBQ, tailgate, bowling, skiing, picnic, and sushi buffet. Alumni are always welcome to join as a networking opportunity for members. PROGRAMS: Exam Review Sessions Frequency: 8-week 1 hour review course Location: Campus, University Park, PA To ensure our members continue to pass multiple exams before graduation, the Actuarial Science Club organizes exam review sessions for Exam P and Exam FM. Students, who have passed the exam with a 9 or 10 score, are invited to apply for the Review Session Leader position. Those selected by the Executive Board are paid by the club to teach an 8-week review course. Mentor Program Enroll: January/August Students who enroll in the Actuarial Science Club s mentor program are paired with an upper classmen with one or more exams passed and preferably an internship. International students have two mentors, an American mentor and an International mentor. Mentors and mentee s apply via survey and are matched based on which college the Actuarial Science option is taken, double majors, and minors. Mentors provide advise through email, text, GroupMe, and in-person. Mentee s and mentors are required to have one mock interview per year. The mentor program has approximately 100 freshmen and sophomore mentee s and 30 sophomore and junior mentors. The Student Relations Liaison matches and monitors the mentor program. Merchandise Sale: Throughout School Year In order to increase brand awareness and unity among actuarial students, the Actuarial Science Club is selling t-shirts, long sleeves, sweatshirts, quarter zips, and water bottles with the club logo. Merchandise with the club s top sponsors logos will be sold at the Major Forum and given away as prizes for various club events. Company Involvement The Actuarial Science Club is extremely focused on corporate outreach. There are multiple ways companies can get involved. Examples include: sponsorship, scholarship, workshops, social networking events, and on-site field trips. Contact the Corporate Liaison for opportunities not covered in the following. FINANCIAL 1. Sponsorship: Sponsorship is typically handled through the Penn State Actuarial Science Career Fair registration fee. Actuarial Science Club Strategic Plan 6
a. Contact: Faculty Advisor STANDARD REGISTRATION: $500 per table PLATINUM SPONSOR: $3000 (Standard Registration + full page ad + more space (if requested) for a third or fourth representative to talk to students at the Career Fair + advance access to Resume Booklets.) LARGER CONTRIBUTORS above the Platinum level get additional recruiting assistance from faculty, article on your firm in the Club s newsletter, opportunity to participate in our Speaker Series, and priority for the time of their Information Session (i.e. No overlap with other recruiters) as long as you request the date early. You will be notified of your date and classroom in late July. 2. Scholarship: Issuing company may set scholarship requirements and reward. a. POPULAR REWARD: exam study materials, such as Actex manuals or Adapt subscriptions b. Contact: Faculty Advisor PERSONNEL TIME 1. Workshops: Company partners can present on professional development or the actuarial profession. a. Examples: Company Information Sessions, Resume Workshops, Interview Workshops, Excel Workshops, Case Competition and/or a Speaker Series Session. (Details on each workshop in previous section.) b. Contact: Corporate Liaison 2. Social Networking Events: Company partners can attend/sponsor Actuarial Science Club BBQ or Picnic as a networking opportunity. a. Contact: Social Chair 3. On-Site Field Trips: Company partners can prepare a company information session on-site. a. Contact: Corporate Outreach Officer Conclusion For over 40 years, the Penn State Actuarial Science Club has strived to help students pass actuarial exams and find employment. Our growing number of events and programs strengthen our members leadership, networking, professional, and actuarial skills. We aim to continue Penn State s legacy as the largest Center of Actuarial Excellence in the US. Actuarial Science Club Strategic Plan 7