An actuary was once thought of as an insurance mathematician, but today an actuary is likely to be a manager or consultant applying quantitative thinking to business problems of all types. Actuaries earn professional status by developing a high degree of insurance and financial expertise, both on the job and by passing examinations administered by the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society (see pages 11-12 of this Handbook).
Although successful actuaries have come from diverse college majors, the obvious candidates are those demonstrating skill in mathematics, verbal communication, and leadership. Indeed, the problems an actuary is likely to face may often involve business, social, and political considerations. Thus there may be more than one solution, or there may be no practical solution at all. Insurance companies actively recruit Duke mathematics majors, and each year several students accept positions with such firms.
Judging from the amount of material received from major companies, actuaries are in substantial demand; a number of announcements, booklets, and pamphlets are available in 217 Physics, including application information for actuarial examinations.