Como Eu Consegui Emprego no Canadá Sendo Matemático | Corre de Dinheiro

Summary

The speaker reflects on their transition from actuarial science to a Ph.D. career, driven by a passion for research over the frustrations of endless exams. After leaving their actuarial role in 2023, they applied to Ph.D. programs in Europe, seeking intellectual fulfillment and a shorter timeline. Now in their first year of doctoral studies, they plan to revisit their journey once they complete the program, likely around 2026.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker initially pursued actuarial exams but found them tedious and unfulfilling, leading to a shift in career direction.
• 😀 The actuarial exams were described as challenging and time-consuming, with some colleagues taking over a decade to finish them.
• 😀 Despite mastering automation in their actuarial job, the speaker felt the work was repetitive and lacked intellectual satisfaction.
• 😀 The desire to do meaningful research, not just pass exams, led the speaker to reconsider their career path and explore academia.
• 😀 The speaker found joy in academic research, particularly in a side project where they collaborated on a paper with a post-doctoral student.
• 😀 In 2023, the speaker decided to apply for PhD programs, specifically choosing Europe for its research-oriented programs and shorter duration compared to North America.
• 😀 Climate, location, and the reputation of potential PhD advisors were key factors in selecting the ideal program.
• 😀 The speaker consciously decided to end their actuarial career after automating much of their work and realizing they no longer found fulfillment in it.
• 😀 The speaker reflected on the difference between studying for exams and studying out of curiosity, emphasizing the latter as a more rewarding path.
• 😀 After completing one year of their PhD program in 2024, the speaker is content with their decision, though they plan to document their PhD journey after completion.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to leave the actuarial profession?

The speaker decided to leave the actuarial profession because they found the career path filled with tedious and repetitive exams, which would take many years to complete. They were also dissatisfied with the idea of spending their life preparing for and taking these exams, instead of pursuing something that would allow them to study out of curiosity and passion.

What was the role of the speaker’s wife in their career decision?

The speaker and their wife had many discussions about their future, ultimately agreeing that it would be best to try something different during the period of their life between the ages of 25 and 30, which led to the decision to pursue a PhD.

What were the main factors the speaker considered when applying for PhD programs?

The speaker prioritized selecting a good advisor, the duration of the program (3 years in Europe), and the climate of the city. They also considered the proximity to other countries for travel and the overall quality of life in the location.

Why did the speaker specifically avoid applying to PhD programs in Canada and the United States?

The speaker avoided applying to PhD programs in Canada and the United States because they would have involved lengthy processes such as qualification exams and candidature exams, which the speaker found undesirable and time-consuming.

What role did the speaker's experience with automation play in their decision to leave the actuarial profession?

The speaker had automated most of their work as an actuary, which meant that their position could be easily replaced without requiring a new hire for the same tasks. This automation allowed the speaker to step away from the profession and pursue their passion for research.

What research project did the speaker continue working on after leaving their actuarial job?

After leaving the actuarial job, the speaker worked on a research project with a former postdoctoral student of their master's advisor. The project involved extending a theorem related to optimal transport, a topic aligned with the speaker's research interests.

How did the speaker feel about the difference between studying for exams and conducting research?

The speaker felt a significant difference in their happiness when comparing the monotony of studying for exams to the satisfaction of conducting research. They found research fulfilling and aligned with their desire to study for the sake of curiosity, not just to pass exams.

What was the speaker’s reasoning for choosing to pursue a PhD in Europe?

The speaker chose to pursue a PhD in Europe because of the shorter duration (3 years) compared to other locations and the ability to travel easily within Europe. They also appreciated the direct, research-focused nature of European PhD programs.

What impact did the speaker’s experience with a postdoc have on their decision to pursue a PhD?

The speaker’s experience with the postdoc, specifically the joy of working on a research project and completing a small monograph, reaffirmed their desire to have a career centered around research. This experience helped clarify their decision to leave the actuarial field and pursue a PhD.

What is the speaker’s current status as of 2024?

As of 2024, the speaker has completed their first year of PhD studies and is now focused on continuing the program, with plans to document their journey later in the PhD process, likely after completing the program in 2026.