Silver Zhou

What led you to become an actuary? And what attracted you to the profession?

It was pure serendipity that introduced me to the actuarial field. I was deep into my applied math major when a friend pulled me into the Actuarial Club during my junior year in college. That’s when I discovered how my math skills could be put to work in the business world by quantifying insurance risks and predicting liabilities to make a financial impact. And yes, I have a bit of a nerdy side! I liked the challenge of passing exams, which I perceived as a measurable way to track my progression in the early stage of the actuarial career.

​Describe a time when your professionalism training has helped you in your career.

I’ve come to realize that professionalism isn’t just about following a set of codified rules. It encompasses the demeanor and ethics necessary for building trust with people around you. Early in my career, I found that just handling everyday tasks with integrity and care could go a long way. That commitment to being accountable and responsible helped build my reputation and opened many doors for me.

​Tell us about a time where your actuarial expertise influenced an important decision in your workplace.

I had an opportunity to use my actuarial expertise in an unexpected way outside the normal scope of business. While advising our company’s actuarial student program, I was tasked with reviewing the exam and credential benefits we offered. I decided to go one step further by gathering data from peer companies through my network, restructuring the data for better comparisons, and developing assumptions about exam performance and salary progression for entry-level actuaries. This allowed me to predict the level of total compensation, including bonus, that could be achieved by attaining actuarial credential within different company’s programs. My analysis made a compelling case for increasing the exam-passing compensation raise. When I pitched the proposal to HR and senior management, they approved it because they saw the benefit of boosting employee satisfaction and helping us retain top actuarial talent. It’s a good reminder of just how broadly our actuarial expertise can be applied.

​What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your career?

I learned to leave my ego at the door in a hard way. Early in my career, I thought being a math/technical expert meant I had to solve every challenging problem on my own, even if it meant burning the midnight oil or working on weekends. I was so worried about looking dumb that I hesitated to ask for help, which only led to inefficiency and unnecessary stress. Once I started embracing vulnerability and reached out to colleagues and managers for guidance and resources, I built stronger relationships and trust in the workplace. I truly believe that shift in mindset turned my career around.

What advice do you wish you were given at the beginning of your career?

I wish someone had told me early on to be intentional about building a broad network. I recently heard an interesting perspective from an actuarial leader that really stuck with me. Elite athletes rarely have just one coach or trainer, because each trainer brings unique expertise that helps shape their overall development. The same goes for our actuarial careers. Good mentors can truly inspire and boost our growth in many ways, but it takes time to learn from different career stories and reflect on our own goals.

What I value most is the opportunity to expand my network and connect with actuaries from different fields. It really reinforces what I mentioned earlier about the importance of building a broad network. Through the Academy community and my volunteer work, I’ve met actuaries I now consider mentors who have truly enriched both my career and personal growth.

Would you like to share anything else with aspiring or new actuaries, or those interested in volunteering for the Academy?

If you’re thinking about volunteering, just go for it. You’ll be amazed by the breadth and diversity of experiences within the community. Enjoy the journey!

Beyond work-what are your hobbies or personal interests?

My wife would probably say I have too many hobbies taking over our garage! I’ve been a big sports fan my whole life, with basketball being my favorite. I’ve been playing basketball since elementary school, and as a UNC [University of North Carolina] graduate, it’s no surprise that I’m a die-hard Tar Heels fan. I fell in love with football after moving to the U.S. for college. After moving to Philadelphia post-college, I became an avid Eagles fan. Seeing them win the Super Bowl this year (and get their redemption from two years ago) means a lot to us fans. Fly Eagles Fly! I also picked up skiing and surfing in my adulthood, and I absolutely love them… and can’t help but think I learned them about 20 years too late!