Starting an actuarial internship in 2025 can be a game changer for your career, but standing out among a sea of qualified candidates requires more than just a good GPA or a polished resume. Leveraging your progress on Society of Actuaries (SOA) exams combined with real-world project experience is one of the most effective ways to catch the eye of hiring managers and secure a valuable internship. Let’s talk about how you can strategically use both these assets to create a memorable application and internship experience that sets you up for success.
First, understand why SOA exams matter. Passing these exams demonstrates your commitment and mastery of core actuarial concepts, which employers highly value. While some companies require multiple exams passed, many recognize that even progress on the first one or two exams shows strong potential. For example, having passed the Probability (P) exam or the Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics (FAM) exam can often give you a leg up over candidates with no exam progress[3][5]. But don’t just stop at listing your exam achievements—use them as a foundation to highlight your technical skills and work ethic in your application.
Pairing your exam success with practical project experience creates a compelling story. Employers want to see that you can apply your theoretical knowledge to real problems. If you’ve worked on any relevant projects, either through coursework, internships, or personal initiatives, make sure you detail these experiences. For instance, if you built a pricing model for a class project or used programming languages like Python or R to analyze insurance data, these are golden examples that show you’re ready to hit the ground running[5][6].
Here’s a practical approach to maximize the impact of your SOA exam progress and projects:
Showcase your exams thoughtfully: Instead of just listing passed exams, explain how the knowledge you gained helped you solve specific problems or informed your project work. This helps hiring managers see your understanding beyond just passing scores.
Highlight relevant projects with measurable outcomes: Describe what the project was, the tools and methods you used, and the results you achieved. For example, “Developed a mortality rate projection model using R, which improved forecast accuracy by 15% compared to baseline estimates.”
Integrate technical skills and tools: Employers look for proficiency in Excel, SQL, Python, and actuarial software like Prophet or MoSes. If your projects involved these tools, mention them explicitly to demonstrate readiness for the technical demands of the internship[5].
Reflect on soft skills gained through projects: Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are vital. Share how you collaborated with others or presented findings to non-technical audiences, as these experiences mirror the professional environment.
Networking also plays a crucial role in leveraging your exams and projects. Connect with actuaries on LinkedIn or through professional organizations like the SOA. Attend webinars, workshops, or local actuarial club meetings. When you talk to professionals, mention your exam progress and the projects you’re passionate about—this can lead to referrals or insider advice that sharpens your internship applications[3].
When it comes to preparing your resume and cover letter, tailor them to emphasize your exam achievements and project experience in a way that matches the internship requirements. Many actuarial internships, like those offered by MetLife, USAA, or Lincoln Financial, look for candidates who have passed at least one SOA exam and have strong analytical skills demonstrated through coursework or projects[5][7]. Your cover letter is your chance to tell a story: explain how your exam journey motivated you to take on challenging projects, what you learned from them, and how this makes you a strong fit for their team.
During the interview, be ready to discuss your exams and projects in detail. Interviewers often ask about challenges you faced and how you overcame them, so prepare examples that show your problem-solving abilities and persistence. For example, talk about a tricky actuarial concept from an exam that you applied in a project or how you handled unexpected data issues in your analysis.
Remember, internships often lead to full-time roles if you impress your employers. According to several internship programs, such as those at MetLife and USAA, successful interns often receive offers to join full-time after graduation[5][7]. Your exam progress and project experience will be key factors in that decision, so investing time now to build both is worthwhile.
Finally, don’t forget to keep learning and improving. The actuarial field evolves rapidly, with new tools and regulations emerging regularly. Stay curious, keep progressing on your exams, and seek out new projects or challenges—even small ones—that build your skills. This continuous growth mindset will not only help you land the internship but also thrive once you’re there.
In summary, to leverage SOA exams and real projects for a standout actuarial internship in 2025:
- Use your SOA exam progress as a proof point of your technical foundation and dedication.
- Present real projects that apply actuarial concepts, showcasing technical and soft skills.
- Tailor your application materials to highlight these strengths aligned with employer needs.
- Network actively to open doors and gain insider knowledge.
- Prepare to discuss your exams and projects confidently in interviews.
- Keep learning and adapting to stay ahead in the competitive actuarial field.
By combining your exam achievements with tangible project experience and a proactive approach, you’ll create a compelling profile that internship recruiters can’t ignore. This strategy not only increases your chances of landing a role but also sets you on a path for long-term career growth in actuarial science.