Jeffrey Rees graduated from Ohio State Undergrad in 1992. He graduated with a major in Actuarial Science. He currently works for Deloitte Consulting as a Specialist Leader. Previously, he has worked for Mercer and Coopers and Lybrand (now PWC). Feel free to contact him at jeffrees@deloitte.com. 

How did you first become interested in actuarial science?

After taking Real Analysis and deciding I did not want to prove proofs for a living, I looked for something more practical. 

What do you love most about Ohio State?

I am from a small town - it was good to get out and see a bit of a bigger world. OSU is both huge but you could walk anywhere in about 10 minutes. Really enjoyed expanding my horizons.

What role did OSU's program play in tackling the SOA or CAS exams?

I had a couple of exams down when I graduated - back then it was calculus and statistics as the gateway into the real exams.

In what ways did the program challenge you that you weren't expecting?

The actuarial math was a completely different experience. Aside from different nomenclature, the material just assumed you knew a certain level of math and stats. No "lets refresh then start slowly" like most undergrad classes.

What has been your biggest takeaway from the program? Was there any class or skill that stood out? How did the content prepare you for your role?

OSU at the time, was on quarters and was very exam driven. It was perfect for the early actuarial exams.

How would you describe your work in actuarial science, and what excites you about the field?

I have managed to find new angles to the work about every 10 years or so (I am in consulting). Keeps the work fresh and challenging.

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

While exams have some predictiveness to success, its really those that can think broadly and apply concepts across different situations that thrive in the consulting business.

Can you elaborate on your current role and typical things you encounter on a day to day basis?

I oversee a good spread of pension actuarial work at my firm. Challenges range from the technical work, managing of people, and business development for new work. 

What advice do you have for current and future students?

Flexible thinking, ownership of work, and networking is what gets you ahead.