As I decided my major, I felt the need to meet with someone who was working in the field. So, I met with Caroline who is an actuary for the United Nations Pension Fund.

Walking into the building, I felt nervous even though it wasn’t an interview, or any other event that could make a negative impact on my life. The building was like any other office building, it had turnstiles that could only be crossed with an ID card, and had more windows than it had walls. Her cabin was neatly organized and had a breathtaking view of midtown Manhattan.

Caroline’s attitude towards me made me comfortable almost instantly. She completely blindsided everyone else in the room and gave me her full attention. She told me what actuarial science is and what actuaries do. She did not use any complex terms, which made it easier for me to understand. She told me what a day at work was like for her and her staff. She also told me how she had to keep up with high school calculus  and college math almost everyday.

Around the end of the meeting, she invited me to dinner and made herself approachable. Overall, the meeting was educational and enjoyable for me.