Alumni Sharing
2021 Graduate
“The programme curriculum is well-structured. After taking the courses, not only have we learnt financial concepts and theories, but we have also been well-trained for quantitative skills and technical skills, which are essential for our profession and actuarial exams. Meanwhile, every student is provided with a half-year internship opportunity. From hands-on experience, we can learn different soft skills such as workplace communication, as well as consolidating we have learnt in the campus. More importantly, we gain insights into what actuaries really do in real business world, which gives us edge and allows better career planning before graduation.
Notwithstanding the solid foundation that IFAA programme has laid for us, we also have strong student supports. While professors are patient in teaching, professors and programme coordinator are willing to help or give us advice on both academic pursuit and career development. I had great learning experience over the past four years.”
2014 Graduate
“During my learning journey, this developed my professional knowledge in the actuarial sciences, and strengthened the ability to think critically, write logically and speak persuasively. Having serving in actuarial departments in several renowned insurance and reinsurance companies after graduation, I am so grateful to have met genuine and proactive advisors and colleagues (some of them are also the CUHK graduates of IFAA programme!) No doubt it is challenging and energy consuming to work as an actuary; but this is fruitful and enjoyable to make a breakthrough in this dynamic and ever-changing industry.
I strongly believe that progress is a perpetual process and the path is more important than the goal itself. I am thankful to have so many good teammates and friends that had provided guidance and support to me over the past years – it’s always an amazing and valuable journey!“
2005 Graduate
“I have gone through the traditional actuarial pathway by learning and contributing in insurance companies and earning the qualification from the Society of Actuaries (SOA). Contrary to the perception by many people on the actuarial profession (and its people) as dull and boring, our lives are indeed challenging but rewarding. Many exciting opportunities popped up in my career, with the most remarkable one being a two-year assignment to Tokyo. The long working hours coupled with the endless leisure trips – it was truly an experience of “working hard, playing hard”! As insurance is a people business, I am now taking up another opportunity in working in product development, leaving the Excel spreadsheets behind while moving closer to the front-line.”
2021 Graduate
“When I was admitted to IFAA, I was told the burdensome workload and did not know I was capable of doing two 6-month internships and passing six SOA exams before graduation. As time passed, I found that courses and internships were carefully ordered so we can efficiently study, and then pass SOA exams and apply in internships. The well-structure-ness of IFAA made these challenging tasks achievable.
The IFAA programme also acts well as a bridge between students and the industry. Plentiful opportunities were provided to interact with corporates. I participated in the 2018 actuarial math competition held by Munich Re. Receiving a merit award, Munich Re invited me to a 6-day summer camp in Beijing, and provided an internship opportunity at their Hong Kong office. Together with experiences with other companies, these experiences made me well-prepared for the actuarial career after graduation.”
2011 Graduate
“It was a rewarding experience to add to my actuarial skill set – working with other programmers on different projects involves sophisticated coding skills. The experience on developing websites and apps definitely helps with my actuarial career as actuaries often work with VBA and actuarial modelling softwares.
Before getting back to the actuarial industry, I also had a chance to perform music with my friend on the street (known as busking), playing the piano. Performing on the street is such an enjoyable and unforgettable experience (earning cheers and a few bucks from the pedestrians). I am so glad to be able to develop other hobbies besides working as an actuary. A large part of that relies on the solid skill set equipped through my working experience and the IFA programme.”
2022 Graduate
“Looking back to my five years of university life, I really miss the joyful days at CUHK, especially the laughter that I had with my peers and friends. I have learnt a lot from lectures, like digging into the world of actuarial mathematics, studying hard for Society of Actuaries (SOA) examinations, and getting to know the current development of the actuarial industry in Hong Kong. The internships I had were very useful to make myself well-prepared for my full-time job, thanks to the guidance and patience from my seniors.
Upon my graduation from IFAA, I commenced my career path as an Actuarial Analyst in a reporting team at a traditional life insurance company. I also push myself to study hard and keep on taking SOA examinations to pursue associateship. To be honest, it is quite exhausting to keep up my study schedule while having my full-time job, but I believe it is a learning and growth opportunity, as well as a challenging task to sharpen my time management skills.
Overall, I feel grateful for all the experiences of highs and lows during my university life. The memories and takeaways from IFAA and this welcoming campus will surely be retained in my mind.”
2018 Graduate
When I graduated from secondary school, I only thought of pursuing a major which solve real life problem with unbiased mathematical solution. Graduating from CUHK’s Insurance, Financial and Actuarial Analysis programme offers benefits more than that. The programme balances hard quantitative skills with soft skills like group work and presentations. This combination equips students with the technical expertise and interpersonal abilities sought after by employers.
Furthermore, the programme ensures a smooth transition from academia to the workforce. It includes practical components such as internships and case studies, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Students also engage with industry professionals, gaining insights into the insurance and actuarial sectors. Additionally, the program emphasizes professional development, providing career guidance, networking opportunities, and mentoring support.
Overall, CUHK’s programme provides a strong foundation, develops essential skills, and prepares students for successful careers in not only actuarial field but any fields required strong quantitative background.”
2024 Graduate
“Enrolling in CUHK’s Insurance, Financial and Actuarial Analysis programme has been the most pivotal and, indeed rewarding, decision of my life. With a strong interest in mathematics and finance, the IFAA programme helped me transform my enthusiasm into practical skills which enabled me to secure a role in society that fits my characteristics and strengths. Students are backed with robust career support, especially the half-year full-time internship and assistance in professional exam preparation. These experiences smoothened my entry into the job market and reduced the effort required to pass the professional exams after graduation. Together, they contributed to a seamless transition from an undergraduate to an actuarial analyst.
Beyond career advantages, the IFAA programme enriched my life with meaningful connections, where I forged lifelong friendship with peers who shared my vision and aspirations. From all the joyful experiences when serving as the Internal Vice President of the IFAA society back in my university years, to the relaxing workday evening I spent exchanging views over a glass of wine or two with them, the programme surely gifted me valuable relationships that brighten my life.”
2018 Graduate
Graduating from CUHK Business School’s IFAA programme was one of the best decisions I have made. Taught by industry-recognised professors and backed by a strong alumni network, the programme gave me both the technical foundation and the professional confidence to adapt quickly to new challenges. After seven years working as an actuary in Hong Kong, I made the move to Bermuda – one of the world’s leading reinsurance hubs – where I now lead asset modelling across traditional, structured and private asset classes, and support capital reporting for the local regulator. The transition to a completely different market was not without its challenges, but I am grateful that IFAA gave me the grounding to find my footing.