Hey, I was wondering if someone could please look over my responses for actuary? Thank you!!
Explain what it is that most attracts you to the UNSW Co-op Program and the academic field(s) that you have chosen? 750 character limitSpoiler
My interest in actuarial studies emerges from my love of problem solving, drawing me to a field where I can simultaneously learn and solve challenges in a real-world scenario. But I also valued a strong interpersonal course, with actuarial studies best complementing my interest in maths with the chance to explain complex projects to my clients and improve their satisfaction. I believe the Co-op program’s hands-on work experience and professional development program would enhance my potential, providing me with commercial skills and invaluable networking that is vital for the workplace. The stimulating challenges of co-op scholar would endorse my continual commitment to improvement, best equipping me to become an all-rounded professional.
Learnings: Select one or two activities from either list in Question 1 and tell us the most important things you gained or learned from these activities. 1000 character limitSpoiler
Debating and public speaking were integral learning opportunities for me, teaching me the importance of having a voice about societal concerns. Through the collaborative discussions endorsed by debating, I learned the importance of critical thinking and cooperation in creating a supportive team environment where we all felt confident in expressing our ideas and adapted to feedback. Committing myself to improving, these lessons were the catalyst for our achievements, including (i had a specific example here but it might reveal my identity too much haha so I’ll add that in afterwards. Hope that’s alright
Through the OZCLO linguistics competition, I appreciated the importance of finding new innovative solutions to challenges, strengthening analytical skills in face of setbacks and a high-pressure environment. As a team, we developed our work ethics and organisational skills, with the competition taking place during our exam period. By learning to delegate problems to one another and make calculated risks, we were fortunate enough to achieve (same as above!!)
Personal development: What do you regard as your key strengths and areas for improvement? 1000 character limitSpoiler
I am proud of my dedication and commitment, always willing to put all my energy into making sure everything is to a consistently high standard. My drive to get things done often encourages others to perform at their best as well. But I try to remain conscious of everyone’s opinions and enjoy collaborating with different people to express many different opinions and gain a group consensus. I also possess a creative mind and can adapt to different situations and personalities as required, always looking for opportunities for improvement. I am willing to challenge myself and always desire to persevere through the rigours of each job. However, while I always have respected a deadline, I have struggled with my perfectionist nature, which has led me to spend too long on tasks and take on too much myself. To resolve my focus on redundant details, I am careful to delegate tasks in group projects and set individual deadlines for sections of a project, refocusing on the bigger picture.
Leadership and teamwork: Tell us about a situation where you were effective as a leader and/or or as a team player, e.g. describe how you significantly influenced others, or contributed to the effective operation/successful outcome of a situation or team. 1000 character limitSpoiler
As a senior SRC member, I oversaw the annual Shave for a Cure fundraiser and directed the passionate committee of student volunteers. To overcome my inexperience and initial lack of direction, I consulted the assistance of previous SRCs members and read through past SWOT analyses to make the event successful. By deconstructing the mechanisms behind successful events and having a vision of our goals, we strengthened our strategic thinking skills and could effectively communicate it to the student body. I also made sure to delegate roles to the other volunteers and always listened to all their suggestions, which allowed us to implement new ideas such as newspaper coverage and a SRC bake-sale. As the leader of this group, it was my responsibility to encourage them to continually do their best and I learned the importance of promoting our team morale through this period. Throughout the entire event, I made sure we could adapt to deadlines, which helped us succeed our initial aims.
Decision making or problem solving: Drawing on your experience or involvement in a part-time job, community or school activity, describe how you overcame a challenging situation and what you learnt from the experience. 1000 character limitSpoiler
Peer-tutoring a student, who was weak at English, always remains a challenging opportunity to better someone’s life. Dismayed by bad marks, this student had given up on improving and his teachers’ advice, initially reluctant to attend peer tutoring. Unsure of how to change his attitude, I decided to ask him his weaknesses, explaining the foundations of essay-writing and each module comprehensively. Setting up small improvement targets, our shared rapport increased his confidence, showing me practice essays throughout the year. Working collaboratively to overcome his previous mistakes, he became more receptive to the offered feedback and started to actively participate in class discussions. This was a monumental experience for me, making me appreciative of the need to coherently express my ideas to each individual. Seeing him exceed his personal best throughout the year was very rewarding, and it was a privilege for me to aid him establish his goals.
Significant achievement or project: Describe an achievement in the workplace and/or designing, building, programming or creating something. You might choose to highlight your creativity; the ability to see alternatives; come up with many varied or original ideas; or willingness to try/learn new things 1250 character limitSpoiler
During my role as an SRC member and school captain, I focused on reframing my school’s competitive nature towards academics, wanting students to be recognised for more than their marks. I had always been dismayed at how many of my peers defined themselves by their results, and the limited transparent support available, leading a committee to fix this attitude. After much consultation from the school community, we firstly introduced a male school counsellor, desiring to change the hypermasculine belief that boys should not expose their struggles. We then introduced ‘R U OK’ mentors for senior students and a lunchtime support group, both providing valuable rapport about mental health issues and student concerns within the school community. All these projects required approval by the school council and SRC, and I often liaised between these bodies, which strengthened my communication and consulting skills through forums, surveys and assembly announcements. This project also taught me the value of delegation, which improved productivity and allowed everyone to play an active role in such a vital issue. And I would love to continue my commitment to improving someone’s life by consulting with clients on projects that better their life.
After graduation: What sort of graduate position do you imagine yourself in after university? 750 character limitSpoiler
My main goal is to adhere to the standards of conduct of a professional actuary, wanting to both be challenged and met expectations. I would ideally like to work with risk and analysis in the role of an actuarial analyst in healthcare. Ultimately desiring to work for organisations like HCF, Bupa or even governmental health systems, like Medicare, I believe this opportunity to give someone the fairest access to care is both a vital and meaningful vocation. I am also interested in modelling big-data to find a personalised solution and encourage engagement between clients and investors. I believe this would enable me to uncover previously hidden links in data, identifying the connections that complete the picture in a fully productive role.
Personal qualities: Why should you be selected as a UNSW Co-op Program scholar? Describe the personal qualities and values that differentiate you and that you would bring to the UNSW Co-op Program. 1000 character limitSpoiler
I believe I would make a strong Co-op scholar and would thrive in the demanding but supportive environment in front of me. As a self-motivated, conscientious student, I enjoy working both independently and in a team environment, eager to learn from and represent other people’s opinions. I am willing to take risks and challenge myself for other people to enjoy it, having a resilient attitude that encapsulates itself in everything I do. I adore persevering through challenges and working to a resolution, with my commitment to improving myself through learning complementing the rigours of the actuary field. My interest in lifelong learning and strong interpersonal skills would allow me to give personalised support to others, my work ethic and passion supplementing my future goals. The invigorating nature of the course would be extremely rewarding, allowing me to simultaneously learn and apply my knowledge to real-world scenarios, which is something I have always desired in my future.
Thank you so much once again!