Actuarial students test-drive their futures

Real-world experience is no longer a post-grad luxury. Thanks to the Actuarial Career Test-Drive Program, McMaster students are gaining it while still in school.

“The Actuarial Career Test-Drive Program isn’t just preparing students for their first job — it’s equipping them with the mindset, skills, and confidence to grow into agile professionals who can thrive in an evolving actuarial landscape. What we’re seeing is more than learning — it’s transformation,” says Dr. Anas Abdallah, the program’s faculty lead.

For fifth year AFM student Derek Kusmenko, the program became a turning point, offering experiences that connected his academic learning to the demands of the actuarial world.

“Participating and succeeding in work-integrated learning has helped me bridge the gap between my coursework and the industry,” said Derek.

Derek has participated in multiple case competitions, industry projects and presentations – all while balancing the demands of being a co-op student. He describes case competitions as one of the most rewarding experiences, giving him the chance to apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges and validating the skills he’s built throughout his degree.

Derek is one of 231 students who participated in the Actuarial Career Test-Drive Program (ACTDP), a one-year initiative designed to expose science students to the world of actuarial work. Through a mix of internships, case competitions, and industry projects, the program allowed students to gain professional experience while continuing their studies – a rare and transformative opportunity.

The ACTDP wrapped up in March with a showcase event celebrating student achievements. The event featured powerful student testimonials, insights from employers, and a panel discussion with industry professionals.

Among the presenters were Derek Kusmenko, Brooke Ward, Kyle Sung and Lyric Wang.

Brooke Ward, a Mathematics & Statistics student, also took part in ACTDP even though she is not formally in the AFM program. Encouraged by Dr. Anas Abdallah, Brooke decided to explore her interest in actuarial science and found the program to be transformative.

For Brooke, the most valuable part of the program was participating in the case competition, where her team worked with real insurance data and applied industry-standard techniques in actuarial analysis. Their hard work paid off: her team advanced to the finals – and won.

“It was so exciting to be part of a team that worked so well together. Since the win, I’ve received new opportunities that have expanded my experience in the actuarial field,” said Brooke. One of those opportunities included an exclusive job shadowing event at Co-operators, offering a deeper look into the day-to-day of actuarial professionals.

Reflecting on her experience, Brooke shared that participating in the program has completely reshaped her university journey. “I never imagined how much I would learn or how much it would change my perspective.”

Early in her third year at McMaster, Lyric Wang joined the McMaster Actuarial Society, where she first discovered the ACTDP. The program played a pivotal role in helping her step outside her comfort zone and embrace her individuality with confidence. Lyric went on to participate in the Co-operators x McMaster case competition and attended the Actuarial Students National Association (ASNA) Conference.

“Networking used to feel intimidating,” she reflects, “but with careful preparation, I let go of the ‘student’ label and stepped confidently into my new identity as Lyric, the aspiring actuary.”

The Actuarial Career Test-Drive Program was made possible in partnership with Business + Higher Education Roundtable and with support from the Government of Canada.

“We’re proud of our partnership with McMaster University, in collaboration with the Canadian Actuarial Society, to connect hundreds of math and science students to meaningful actuarial work. At the recent Actuarial Career Test Drive Showcase event, it was inspiring to see students networking with employers and discussing the evolving role of actuarial professionals in traditional and emerging sectors, from insurance to banking, climate and beyond,” said Andrew Bieler, Director of Partnerships & Experiential Learning at BHER.

Throughout the program, McMaster students consistently performed above the cohort average. 99% of students reported feeling satisfied with the WIL opportunity, and 90% of students feel they have the skills, knowledge, experience and confidence to take the next steps toward their career.

A significant majority of students reported improvements in key skill areas: 87% reported increased technical skills, 88% saw growth in interpersonal skills, 85% reported enhanced professionalism, 87% improved their communication skills, 88% developed stronger problem-solving abilities, and 89% reported gains in critical thinking.

From the beginning, the mission has been clear: to prepare students with the skills, experience, and confidence they need for life after graduation. Whether launching into the workforce or pursuing graduate or professional studies, work-integrated learning has become a cornerstone of success – and the ACTDP is proof of that.

The Actuarial Career Test-Drive Program was supported by the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER), a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that brings together Canada’s top companies and leading post-secondary institutions to tackle skills, talent, and economic challenges. Since 2015, BHER has connected, convened, and leveraged the power of its members to create opportunities for post-secondary students and workers, boost innovation, and drive collaboration. Learn more at www.bher.ca and see their work-integrated learning resources for ways to explore, invest in, and create quality WIL opportunities.