Azat Posted February 25, 2001 Report Share Posted February 25, 2001 I was wondering what you guys do for a living? Are you happy with the choice you have made with your career? I am a computer programmer and am on my second startup now. The first one got bought out by IBM and it was a success, but this last one that I have been at for the last year plus is struggling and may even become a "dot gone". However I have realized that I love the start-up attitude and even if we fail I would go and work for another start-up again. What does everyone else do? If you had a choice would you continue to work for the same company or industry again? [ February 25, 2001: Message edited by: Azat ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilafhead Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 I'm an actuary. I'm very happy with the field and where I work. Not the most glamorous job, but it is very secure. Mike(the jr. math geek -- there's a more senior one around here )) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunush Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 I am happy to meet such great minded Armenians as you guys are. . Keep the good work. I do accounting in our corp accnting. Yeap!I've always wanted to be in this, cause I was good in math, still am (I think ). Azat, great to meet you, maybe you'll be good help for my comp projects as I start my MBA, this fall. Aghmug, isn't it taugh to be in actuary?I know in my comp, they have to pass certain test to keep their job, and I've heard you have to be super smart. Does the industry matter for the level of difficulty? Are you and analyst?I'm persuing my bro to get into it? Is there any specific college you go, or just any BS in business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunush Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 Aghmug, do you refuse to answer ?Also, what is this name you are using. I hope its not that Turkish word for dumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garo Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 quote:Originally posted by Araksya:Aghmug, do you refuse to answer ?Also, what is this name you are using. I hope its not that Turkish word for dumb.Araksya he's probably busy.Aghmug means 'noise' in Armenian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunush Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 ohhhhh!Axmuk! God! sorry about it. There is a typical word overly used "akxmax" I thought thats it. I'm bad, my appologies. Hazar neroxutyun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilafhead Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 quote:Originally posted by Araksya:Aghmug, isn't it taugh to be in actuary?I know in my comp, they have to pass certain test to keep their job, and I've heard you have to be super smart. Does the industry matter for the level of difficulty? Are you and analyst?I'm persuing my bro to get into it? Is there any specific college you go, or just any BS in business.It is tough to get through the exams. There are now 9 of them and it takes about 2,500 to 3,000 hours of studying to pass them.You don't have to be "super smart", but just smart and willing to study your ass off after working a full day.Not sure what you mean about industry and level of difficulty. Also, not sure what you mean by "analyst", but I am a Fellow in the Casualty Actuarial Society.No, no specific colleges are necessary, but there are some that have actuarial programs. No specific BS is needed either, but one in math, finance, economics, or business will help.If your brother is good with math, he may want to look into being a CFA. Not sure exactly what they do, but many people that are good in math are going that route to avoid years of exams (it took me 8 years to finish my actuarial exams). I'm also not sure about the long-term security of being a CFA.Direct your brother here: http://www.beanactuary.org Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunush Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 Mike!Thank you much! Greatly appreciated!I was planning to go for CFA (certified Financial analyst), but it doesn't do much for advancement. So I chose MBA instead!Thank you again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 Araksya where are you getting your MBA from. CFA helps if you want to go to money management and it's not hard at all. MBA has to be from a top natch school (Wharton, Chicago, UCLA ) to be worth anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunush Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 I agree, for now I'm preparing myself for the GMAT, but started my paperwork @ Peperdine. I was even planning to go for CPA. All I want is to get into mgmt in 3-4 years. I will gain enough exp in Finance/accounting by then, and hit for mger. So, I want to get some degree to help me get there. my next title is Financial Analyst, then SR, then mger.I've asked around and all of them above are an option. What would you advise? What school you went to? I noticed you are a Fin Analyst, in what industry?I'm in healthcare (HealthNet)Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayane Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 My apologies to the more seasoned members of the forum (I know you guys have heard this already, but I thought the newer members might be curious) Behavioral therapist. Not as complicated as it sounds I work with developmentally disabled (mainly autistic) children using a technique called applied behavioral analysis. I do my own contracting with the parents of the kids, but recently started with an Encino (CA) based clinic as well, so I have the best of both worlds. Future plans include getting my graduate training as a psychologist and opening a clinic/educational center of my own (not necessarily in the same sub- specialization). Now for the second part of your question that no one answered I love my job If anyone was ever "meant" to work in a particular field, I was meant to work in this one. There are many fields I would succeed in. Child psychology is the only one I have any desire to be involved in; it's my passion. Can't see myself doing anything else except perhaps working on issues that impact the lives of armenian women. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted February 27, 2001 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 I must be an idiot because I have no idea what actuary do? Gayane, I thought you were still in school. I must be thinking of someone else. So far I like what you do best, but I don't think I could ever get into that filed. Araksya, I am always available to assist anyone who needs assistance with computers and geek stuff. Feel free to shoot me any questions you may have. As for the future, not short term future but long term, I want to either own and work at my own Café or Wine bar. This geek stuff is boring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayane Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 lol, Azat, I AM still in school. No harm in having your career well under way the minute you graduate, is there? I always plan ahead Gayancho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 Araksya I myself am a graduate of USC, and have an experience in fixed income finance, notably with asset backed securities. Recently I had disagreements with upper management, left the company and started working on my own option pricing models. I, like you am currently studying for GMAT. I got the "Barron's: How to prepare for GMAT" book. I wouldn't recommend a CPA, since a lot of my freinds are CPA's, and if you are not into too much paperwork and find it boring it's definately not for you. CFA is more interesting, and can give you a chance to get into money management (which is an extremely lucrative industry). Pepperdine is a good university, it has a good finance department. It all depends what industry are you pursuing. Are you into Old Economy companies, and are you ready to climb the corporate ladder. As for myself, my goal is to have my own hedge fund (just remember every Fortune 500 company once was a small startup). By the way where did you get your undergrad degree. [ February 26, 2001: Message edited by: alpha ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunush Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 Tnx alpha!I've got my undergrad degree from CSUN, Finance major. I know its not as well known as your school, but as a business school its a good one. Just today, I got an email from Peperdine, advising me to use www.gmac.com to prepare myself for GMAT. Check it out! I usually study on Saturdays, but I should dedicate more time for better scores. I use the same bood as you do. Are you going to take CAT or manual? How far are you in your studying? I'm so glad I can share such info with you. Its hard to find friends who plan to take the same path. What school do you want to go for MBA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edg Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 I work as a credit services manager for a credit card company. No BS yet, I am always in and out of school. I probably will be done with my school when I am 30 or maybe 40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilafhead Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 quote:Originally posted by Araksya:I've got my undergrad degree from CSUN, Finance major. Three cheers for CSUN!Azat: Alot of people do not know what actuaries do. In a nutshell, we do statistical analysis for insurance companies and insurance programs. It's a good mix of business, math and finance.I'm with a national consulting firm. My clients include: State Depts of Insurance, insurance companies, counties, hospital associations, self-insured companies, etc. Amongst other things I estimate their remaining liabilities for claims, tell them how much to budget, estimate auto rates, estimate claim payment patterns, blah, blah, blah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilafhead Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 quote:Originally posted by alpha:MBA has to be from a top natch school (Wharton, Chicago, UCLA ) to be worth anything.Last week I had a meeting with the guy that founded UCLA's MBA program. He's 80 and still an amazing guy. Even his bad ideas are probably worth millions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted February 27, 2001 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 Gayane, it is always good to plan ahead. I use to anal and plan for all things around me, but life is such that you can't plan for many of its aspects. So I do not plan much anymore. I live my life one day at a time. Aghmug, I too am and CSUN graduate for both my BS in Management Science and MBA. I always wanted to be a statistician, but when I graduated from school I was an accomplished programmer and my old company put the gold ball and chain on me. Now I probably do not remember most of stats anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nané Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 Education: BA in Economics and minor in Armenian Studies Current Field of Work: Social Services Prospective Change: Credit Analysis Desired Change: Translator/Interpretor Dream Career: undecided ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Can you tell I'm confused? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoC Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 Hey everybody, Let's see....I'm an Epidemiologist with Los Angeles County, Dept of Health, and have been at this for about a year now. It's fun sometimes, but definitely not what I want to do for the rest of my life. Luckily, I just got the chance to achieve my dream job, as I'll be going to med school in the Fall! I'm psyched! Otherwise, oh yeah, I got my Bachelor's in Biology, and a Master's degree in Public Health. That's all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garo Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 Azat what type of programming do you do?What languages do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilafhead Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 Wow, are we the AGBU Young Professionals or what??? Well, at least those of you that are young... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LISA Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 quote:Originally posted by Aghmug:Wow, are we the AGBU Young Professionals or what??? Well, at least those of you that are young... Hey - ex pilafhead??(not sure why it says that after your post) did you annihilate Pilafhead? Anyways - I was just wondering, why does it read "system of a down" after your posts. Just curious. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazza Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 Hi, This is not about my career, but it was in the headlines just today that the teacher shortage for schools is at a crisis. They were always going on strikes in the past but it's getting so bad now that they need to send the children home early because they are in desperate need for classroom cover. In the past there were truanting officers chasing the kids but now schools are just very quick to expell them! I think this is quite sad. well, they are despratley underpaid now that noone wants to teach , and I think it is outrageous because there is always a need for good teachers, I am still thinking of teaching, myself. social work, and management of social work is quite well paid, my cousin is a manager of a department, but they get no life whatsoever because when they are on call, which is quite often, that is pretty much it. And it rated the third most stressful job because you are always meant to be making decisions on your feet...That is a career in caring for you, I guess..oh, and a shortage crises of nurses too, they don't get much paid either, about 6000 per annum, and think of the job they do!.. Some times the stress-levels and pay levels don't really match up together.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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