Noah Porter graduated from Ohio State Undergrad in 2023. He graduated with a major in Actuarial Science and completed a minor in Economics. He currently works for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company as an Actuarial Consultant. Feel free to contact him at noah@ohporter.com

How did you first become interested in actuarial science?

My older brother's original major (before eventually switching) was Actuarial Science, and I had a math teacher in high school tell me I should look into it.

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

I think Ohio State's program does a great job of preparing students for their next step. They are not just looking to have them finish coursework and check boxes. They prepare them for the exam process, familiarize them with real world scenarios, and make sure they are prepared for their future career.

What do you love most about Ohio State?

I thought the faculty was absolutely outstanding and provided students with all the resources needed to maximize their potential.

How were your interactions with other students in the program?

My interactions with other students in the program were always positive and ties back into the sense of community that Ohio State has.

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

The Actuarial Science program does an outstanding job of familiarizing students with the exam process and providing them with coursework to prepare them for the earlier exams.

Tell us about your internship experience.

My first internship at Great American Insurance Company was a fully virtual experience in which I focused on Actuarial Reporting. In all honesty, due to the fully virtual experience, I do not think I was able to make the most of this opportunity.

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

I think the program, specifically the practicum class, exposed me to the different ways to solve one problem, and the importance of collaboration/communication skills.

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?

The Actuarial Practicum class was a huge takeaway for me and I think it is one that should always be there.

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

My work in actuarial science has opened my eyes to many different lines of thinking and different approaches to solve the same problem. It is important to understand that more often than not, there is not a "correct" answer.

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

I think to this day many people underestimate how important communication and collaboration skills are. Your understanding of a topic is only as good as your ability to explain it.

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

In my current roles we have a collection of responsibilities/deliverables like: Regular trend monitoring, assumption evaluation to feed rate need, CAT modeling adjustments, and many other ad hoc projects. On a day-to-day basis we are constantly looking to rethink the way to price at both an individual and aggregate level to better serve the policyholders

What advice do you have for current and future students?

The advice I would give to current and future students is make as many connections as possible and learn from those around you. Everyone has different strengths and you're never going to be a master of everything.