What school/University are you targeting?
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.
Why are you applying for your chosen course?
I am analytical with a passion for statistics and Actuarial Science. My fascination for the work actuaries do made me acquire an Actuarial Science bachelor's degree. However, my interest doesn't stop there, I want to pursue this career path on an advanced level and this is why I am applying for a Master's degree in Actuarial Science.
Why Does This Course Interest You?
Actuarial Science is a course that applies analytical, statistical and mathematical skills to projects and it predicts financial outcomes and situations of businesses and financial services. This is something I have an innate ability for and I want to build a successful career doing what I love; working as an actuary.
Why do you think you’re suitable for the course(s)? Do you have any particular skills and experience that will help you to succeed on the course(s)?
I have strong analytical skills and I am good with numbers and data. I am also proficient in Excel data analysis and I have relevant experience working as an actuary at my National Youth Service (NYSC) primary place of assignment (PPA) in Sunu Assurances, an insurance company in Nigeria.
I worked in the claim department as a claim officer, managing data and ensuring relevant statistics are up to date and accurate.
Do your current or previous studies relate to the course(s) that you have chosen? If so, how?
Yes. I have a bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science and it is the same course I selected for my Master's at Simon Fraser University.
Have you taken part in any other activities that demonstrate your interest in the course(s)?
Yes. I supervised and co-tutored over 50 course mates in a relevant course.
Skills and achievement
Universities like to know the skills you have that will help you on the course, or generally with life at university, such as any accredited or non-accredited achievements. Write these down here.
I am a certified Project Manager, an excellent data analyst, analytical, a leader, inquisitive, determined, dedicated and passionate about the things I do. I believe working smart, hard work and passion makes the difference in everything and this is my watchword and guiding principle.
Also think about any other achievements you’re proud of, positions of responsibility that you hold or have held both in and out of school, and attributes that make you interesting, special or unique.
I have served as the president of a non-profit youth forum which I had great impact on and as a football team captain when I was studying for my bachelor's degree. I was also a tutor to 50 course mates at the university where I studied. I taught them "Life and other contingencies II Course" which led to over ninety percent success rate for the class.
Leadership is a skill that comes easily to me and in the capacities I served in, I was able to bring people together, motivate them and ensure we achieved our set goals. It was inspiring to see the positive impact my leadership had on the people I led. To them, I was more than a leader, I was a friend and a mentor and that means a lot to me.
Hobbies and interest
Make a list of your hobbies, interests and social activities. Then think about how they demonstrate your personality, skills and abilities. Try to link them to the skills and experience required for your course(s).
I love playing football and playing football is not all about winning but the experience, the bonding and the strategies involved. Above all, it is a great way to become a better team player and you learn to be a more responsible member of the society. This is because, as a footballer, you understand that every member of the team needs each other. You have to play your part and not be the weak link on the team. You also learn responsibility, accountability and discipline.
Aside from football, volunteering is also something I'm big on. I like to work with orphans and underprivileged children who need a mentor or someone to make them realize that every human being is capable of being great if only they can believe in themselves. I try to be that someone for these kids and teenagers. I would say that I have achieved this to an extent at the Dasalam orphanage's youth forum where I served as the president but I want to do more and I would continue to volunteer until I see enough young people spread their wings and live their dreams.
Include details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it’s relevant to your chosen course(s).
Claim Officer, Sunu Assurances (NYSC), Nigeria -
February 2021 - Present
Student Volunteer, Nigerian Actuarial Society -
2018 - Present
Extracurricular Activities / Volunteer Experience
Daslam Orphanage Youth Forum - Non-Profit Organization, Nigeria
2020 - Present
President
• Oversees regular free medical tests for over a hundred people.
• Supervise a team of five people that ensure the successful completion of projects.
• Organise weekly community sanitation projects in the host community.
• Lead blood donation projects for hospitals affilated with Dasalam Orphanage.
University of Lagos, Nigeria
2019-2019
Tutor
• Supervised and co-tutored over fifty course mates on a course (Life and other contingencies) which led to over ninety percent success rate of the class.
University of Lagos, Nigeria
2019 - 2019
Sport (football) Team Captain
• Led the team to third place of the Departmental league in 2017.
• Won an award for being the best player in the tournament, in 2019
Nigerian Actuarial Society, Nigeria
2018 - Present
Student Volunteer
• Perform multiple assigned roles at Sunu Assurance, Nigeria, as a Claim Officer and as a student volunteer for the Actuarial Society of Nigeria.
If you know what you’d like to achieve after completing the course, explain how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain. How does the course relate to what you want to do in the future?
After completing my master's degree, my next goal would be to attain a Ph.D. degree in the same field. Then, I would return to my country to pursue a career in Actuarial Science. I also intend to join the society of Actuaries in Nigeria because currently, Actuaries are few and highly sort after in Nigeria.
Securing a master's degree in Actuarial Science at Simon Fraser University would not just give me an edge in my career as the university is prestigious, it would also exposed me to quality training facilities and assignments which would enable me to develop the expertise I need when I begin work full-time as an actuary in Nigeria.
Extra Note:
During my bachelor's, I submitted a project titled, "The Impact of Cash Flow on the Performance of Insurance Industry in Nigeria", in October, 2021. Excel spreadsheet and SPSS were used to carry out the main study which include, "the regression analysis" and "analysis of variance". Data were collected by means of an adopted self-administered questionnaire.
These created opportunities for me in Nigeria and it has reinforced my resolve to work as an Actuary in Nigeria.
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