For Shibo Chen (’16SPS), an alumnus of the M.S. in Actuarial Science (ACTU) program at Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS), one course has continued to draw him back to campus long after graduation.
“Overall, the proseminar was the most impactful course I took during the program,” Chen said. “Its real value lies in bridging academic learning with real industry practice. It prepares students to transition from being students to becoming competitive candidates for actuarial roles.”
The proseminar is a required course for full-time students in the M.S. in Actuarial Science program. It brings leading actuarial professionals to Columbia’s campus for a series of interactive sessions focused on practical career development and industry insights.
As a student, Chen leveraged what he learned during a proseminar session led by a Guy Carpenter representative to help secure an internship with the company. He also credits the course with expanding his understanding of the software tools and technical skills used across the industry. “It significantly broadened my perspective beyond the traditional academic curriculum,” Chen said, “and helped me purposefully hone my skills to adapt to what’s really needed in the industry.”
Now an actuary at Munich Re, Chen has come full circle—returning to the program as a guest speaker to support the next generation of students.
Actuary Hopefuls Meet Actuary Professionals
Darryl Wagner has participated in the proseminar series as a speaker for more than a decade. A former principal at Deloitte, where he was also involved in recruitment, Wagner sees his involvement as both practical and personal. “I have a lot of gratitude for the actuarial profession,” he said. “This is a way of paying it forward.”
While engaging with students offers insight into emerging talent, Wagner values the exchange just as much. “I'm energized talking to the students. I learn from talking to the students,” said Wagner. “If we don't have a good handle on what students are experiencing and feeling and going through, we're not going to be able to chart the right course for them and for the future of their profession.”
For students, the proseminar provides a rare opportunity to engage directly with professionals who may one day be their colleagues—or hiring managers.
“Hearing directly from actuaries, finance professionals, and risk practitioners makes industry trends feel more concrete and adds a new dimension to concepts we learn in class,” said current student Christine Yang. “Overall, it gives us students more informed decisions on internships, career paths, and recruiting.”
A Course that Evolves with the Industry
“Some of the students have actually said this is why they want to come to the program; because this is very unique,” said Lina Xu, deputy director of the M.S. in Actuarial Science program and a main organizer of the proseminar course.
Columbia’s location in New York City plays a major role in the course’s success, enabling top industry experts—many based locally—to participate in person with minimal disruption to their schedules.
Since helping launch the proseminar in the early 2010s, Xu has continuously refined its format. One of her main responsibilities is to maintain the program’s relationship with top companies in the industry. She has seen through various changes to the proseminar’s format—from splitting the students into sections so that smaller groups can interact more intimately with the speakers, to more recent efforts to incorporate a communication component into the course.
The topics that speakers choose to discuss during their seminars have also developed over time, reflecting changing trends and big shifts—from managing new risks to using AI tools. And the range of speakers has further expanded, as new participants (many of whom are ACTU alumni) are constantly added to the list of regulars.
“They are CEOs, chief actuary and chief risk officers, SOA, CAS, and AAA presidents, past presidents, boards of directors—all very high level people,” said Xu.
Bridging the Best on Both Sides
One particularly memorable speaker for Xu was David Li, once named “the world’s most influential actuary” by the Financial Times. His Gaussian copula model became widely used on Wall Street to price and hedge complex financial instruments.
Given that these guests are among the best in the field, Xu is committed to making sure that no student comes to the seminars unprepared. For each speaker’s visit, a revolving designated group of students is expected to meet with Xu in advance and share potential questions to ensure that the session is an engaging one.
“Our goal is: If I ask each speaker, ‘Would you like to come back?’ I only want to hear that they will be happy to come back,” Xu said.
It’s this two-way street—of both excellent speakers and exceptional students—that makes the proseminars work. And that synergy is what keeps students, graduates, and top actuaries returning to Columbia again and again.
About the Program
The Master of Science in Actuarial Science program at Columbia University is internationally renowned for its breakthrough curriculum and esteemed faculty. The program equips students with the tools, skills, and knowledge to excel in today’s rapidly evolving actuarial and related workplaces, with a course of study designed to anticipate and exceed industry needs. Students are prepared to assume leadership positions and meet ever-expanding opportunities. Columbia’s location in New York City, the financial and actuarial capital of the world, allows students access to the world’s foremost practitioners and leaders.
The priority application deadline for the M.S. in Actuarial Science program is February 15, with a final deadline of June 1. Learn more about the program here.
