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Early Career Profiles: James Lescoe

• Class Year: 2005
• Position: Actuarial Analyst
• Department: Finance - Health Rating Systems Development
• Company: Aetna, Inc.

What he does:

James Lescoe is an Actuarial Analyst at Aetna, Inc. at Middletown, CT. The current focus of his work is converting rating factors into a database format. In addition to maintaining Access and Excel tools used to perform the data conversion, he is also involved in planning and developing applications to automate this work. His position requires understanding information technology concepts and applying them to meet the needs of the actuarial and business staff.

Math on the job:

While actuaries often use statistical and mathematical modeling techniques, James is primarily using software development and design methodologies. Working with programming code, such as Visual Basic or Java, requires logical thought to both follow code execution and design the necessary functions and logical statements. James acknowledges that "this logical train of thought is the basis of mathematics and proofs. From this standpoint, my mathematical training has helped me develop an ability to both determine the order of steps needed to accomplish a given objective and to follow steps / logic in existing code."

James' background:

As an Actuarial Sciences major at WPI, James took courses in statistics and actuarial mathematics, as well as a broad range of other mathematics courses. In addition, he took courses in management and computer science.

He completed two major team projects: one examined the construction of surveys, and the other analyzed surveys and used the analysis as a starting point for the construction of a mathematical model.

Also, while an undergraduate, James had two summer internships with insurance companies which introduced him to programming with macros, writing queries, manipulating data, and understanding how insurance premiums and reserves are determined.

Advice to students:

James has lots of good advice:

• "The actuarial field is both challenging and highly competitive. I would encourage students interested in the field to pursue internship opportunities as soon as they are able. Internships provide a wonderful glimpse at what life as a professional can be like."
• "While a solid mathematical or statistical background is a plus, the requirements for entering the profession are an interest in analyzing insurance/business problems, a willingness to take a series of challenging exams, and an ability to logically balance statistical or mathematical data with the qualitative implications of the economic, competitive, and legislative environments."
• "Knowledge of Excel and Access is almost a requirement, although these skills can be acquired in internships or entry-level positions."
• "Students interested in actuarial science should take a broad range of courses, including basic courses in economics, management, computer science / programming, statistics, and mathematical modeling."
• "Become involved in extracurricular activities, especially ones that help develop and demonstrate interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills. Employers are interested in soft skills just as much as they are in technical skills."

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Last modified: September 25, 2006 11:28:49