Graduating Redbird Tania Joseph knew from an early age that she wanted to be an actuary. Joseph has always been a strong student and wanted a challenging career.
“It’s a very interdisciplinary profession, even if it may not seem like it, because we have to have a strong statistical math foundation to even attempt this profession, as well as be well rounded with regards to having financial and business knowledge,” Joseph said.
The Des Plaines native is heading into the professional world with an impressive resume. Joseph is a Presidential Scholar who is graduating from Illinois State after three and a half years with a pair of corporate internships under her belt.
For the first of those internships, Joseph worked as a research analyst for YMY Solutions. In that role, Joseph was given the task of researching potential client companies and producing an investment thesis for each of them. She had a limited financial background at that time and had to quickly get herself up to speed.
“I really had to dive in headfirst and learn on the fly,” she said. “But I am glad that I had that experience because I think being thrown into hot water immediately forces you to learn quickly.”
Next, she took an internship at Kemper, an insurance company headquartered in Chicago. In this role, Joseph was able to apply many of the actuarial skills she learned as an undergrad in a professional environment. She credits the mentorship of Actuarial Program Director Dr. Krzysztof Ostaszewski in helping her seek out the opportunities and make the best of them.
“He demonstrates a lot of care for students,” Joseph said. “That was extremely apparent from even meeting him briefly as a senior in high school, which gave me a very good impression of what was to come from being in this major and what this education provides.”
Joseph was also active outside of the classroom, staying involved with the Indian Student Association throughout her time at Illinois State. After joining the registered student organization (RSO) during her freshman year, she ascended to vice president as a junior.
“I joined that organization to be around people who share the same background and experiences as me,” Joseph said. “We did a lot of events that were open to the public, that celebrated different cultural events.”
In addition, Joseph was a member of the insurance fraternity Gamma Iota Sigma, where she was able to network with prominent professionals in her chosen industry. Joseph is also a violinist and took part in the Continuo String Orchestra Club.
Joseph is excited to start her role as a full-time actuarial analyst at Allstate this spring. She is particularly eager to meet and connect with her new colleagues.
“One thing that I’m really looking forward to with pursuing Allstate is the fact that it is a larger company, there’s a lot more incoming, fresh grads who are also going to be in the same position as me,” she said. “And that’s important because it’s valuable having a community of people who are working toward the same things you are.”
For incoming Redbirds, Joseph’s biggest piece of advice is to begin college with an open mind.
“I think it’s important to not hold a specific expectation in mind, because I think college for many people is where they’re exposed to new things, new people,” she said. “They can broaden their mind, whether it be through their extracurriculars or through the classes that they are taking.”
This story is one of a series of profiles on Redbirds who are celebrating graduation this December. For more information about how Illinois State is celebrating commencement this semester, visit the Graduation Services website.
