Elena Cornelius graduated from Ohio State Undergrad in 2020. She graduated with a major in Actuarial Science and completed minors in Economics and Spanish. She currently works for New York Life Insurance Company as a Senior Actuarial Associate. Feel free to contact her at elena_k_cornelius@newyorklife.com.

How did you first become interested in actuarial science?

During my senior year of high school, my calculus teacher mentioned actuarial science as an interesting career path for students who enjoy math.

How did Ohio State's program stand out to you?

Even though I had heard of actuarial science before applying to or committing to Ohio State, I wasn’t sure it was something I wanted to pursue. I entered my freshman year as a finance student and spent my first semester talking with students in the program and administrators to learn more. Their willingness to help me understand the coursework and the profession stood out, and I ended up switching majors that year.

What do you love most about Ohio State?

I love the size of Ohio State and the opportunities it offers. With so many majors available, I felt like I could really explore what interested me. I’m glad I took the time to think about what best fit what I wanted for my future.

Is there anything about actuarial science that might surprise someone new to the field?

I’ve been surprised by how small the actuarial community feels. Through internships and now working full-time, I’ve noticed how often there are mutual connections with others in the field. When I meet someone new, it’s common to find out they know someone I’ve worked with or interned with before. It’s great to have a network of colleagues and friends who share similar interests.