Advice from a Role Model

By Janet Katz

As a new feature in The Future Actuary, we will be calling on influential actuaries to offer some advice to candidates and actuaries just starting out in their career. This first installment comes from Virgil Applequist, ACAS.

Virgil is currently the executive vice president and CEO of American Agricultural Insurance Company and has offered us three pieces of advice that he thinks will be of help to our readership.

There is more to life than just exams. "Don't forget balance in your career as you move forward. This includes all areas of your life."

Learn to communicate (and don't forget to listen!) "Through the exams you are learning a tremendous amount about the insurance industry, but don't forget you need to be able to communicate this to a number of vastly different audiences. Also a very important part of communication is the ability to listen. Listen to what others are saying and try to answer in a way that will answer the question but not to intimidate, because you want them to ask you the next time they have a question. If you turn them off they may never come back. Also there is a lot you can learn from others, not everything is covered in the exams. Be receptive to others and be humble."

Don't be afraid to help others. "Always help others look good. In the long run they will know that they can come to you for assistance and they can count on you and that you will help them. In the long run they will remember who has helped them achieve success. The more people you can help be successful the more successful you will be."

Do you know an influential actuary who would like to share some words of wisdom? E-mail Kathryn Baker, SOA Senior Communications Associate at kbaker@soa.org and we may be able to feature them in an upcoming issue of The Future Actuary!