Page 34 - Careers in Mathematics

Actuary Deciding what to study at university was reasonably
straightforward, especially after the South African
Mathematics Team sponsor put out an advertisement
encouraging careers in Actuarial Science as a gateway to an
When exciting and diverse career. I embarked on a degree in
reflecting on
Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town, and upon
my learning
completion of my degree I knew that a job as an Actuary was
and career
for me. Being an Actuary is all about making financial sense
journey thus
for the future, equipping people to make better-informed
far, it is clear
decisions, and finding solutions to complex problems.
that
mathematics
My current role has exposed me to a different side of a career
has guided the path to my as an Actuary. I am now in a client-facing position – so
Theo Mokgatlhe was only around Grade 7 that I working on solutions. I spend much time working on
achievements. While I was good at
instead of sitting at my computer and analysing data - I
mathematics from a young age, it
typically spend time with clients; discussing problems and
realised my love of numbers and
spreadsheets, reading and writing reports, and updating the
solving problems could take me
executive team on how the business is doing. The great thing
places. My teachers had noticed my
about my job is that no day is ever the same – there are
flair for problem-solving, and soon I
always new problems and challenges for me to grapple with,
found myself involved in provincial
and the skills I have developed over the years have helped
mathematics competitions – and
winning them. I continued taking
businesses.
part in contests in high school, me to have a measurable impact on our clients and their
where I became part of the South
As with all industries, it is crucial to keep my skills sharp and
African Mathematics Team between remain up-to-date with industry trends. It is imperitive in my
Grades 10 and 12. The sense of
current role, engaging with clients, where often they look to
achievement from winning
me to understand the “technical” side so that I can help them
competitions continued to drive my
make better financial decisions. I do this by attending
passion and ultimately, my decision
industry-focused conferences, seminars, and events, and I
to pursue a career in mathematics.
also spent much time reading. CNBC and Bloomberg are two
of my favourite platforms to keep up to date with news and
trends in our industry. I think it is essential to focus on not

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