For Ethan Kwok, making the decision to study at Macquarie was an easy one.
Wealth of opportunity: Actuarial Studies graduate Ethan Kwok, pictured above, took advantage of government and corporate internships as part of his degree at Macquarie.
“I had heard great things about the courses here, especially the Actuarial Studies program. I felt that I could develop my skills with a group of like-minded individuals who push me to improve,” he says.
As part of the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Co-op) program, Ethan completed two internships that provided real-world experience in both the corporate and government sectors.
His first placement was a seven-month internship in the Banking and Capital Markets team at EY, where he worked on interest rate calculator validation, valuations for various derivatives and financial instruments, and developing a risk-weighted asset calculator. He also contributed to projects in the General Insurance team, including modelling average claim sizes for Compulsory Third Party policies.
Ethan’s second internship was a six-month placement with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) as part of the Outcomes team, where he modelled and determined the drivers of health and wellbeing outcomes for participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
“The internships are a treasure trove of opportunities to expand knowledge and experience via the application of the skills that are developed in university,” he says.
“They helped me realise that actuarial concepts aren’t always black and white – you need to apply nuance and critical thinking to every situation.”
Beyond technical skills, Ethan says the internships also strengthened his soft skills, including communication, teamwork and collaboration.
Making a difference
The NDIS funds support people with disabilities across a range of disability types, enabling them to spend more time with loved ones, achieve increased independence, acquire new skills, pursue employment and volunteer opportunities within their community, and enhance their overall quality of life.
The NDIS facilitates connections between people with disabilities and available community services, such as doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools.
The NDIS is making a difference to over 500,000 Australians, and it was rewarding to be part of a team focused on enhancing its impact.
“On the Outcomes team, we created reports that aimed to understand and measure all NDIS participants’ experiences with and as a result of the Scheme,” Ethan says.
“The aim of many of these reports is to measure participants’ progress across a range of areas to discern how the scheme improves their lives and how it can continue to develop to meet its stated aims in the future.
Through this feedback loop, the Outcomes team can assist in recognising areas of development or improvement for the scheme to continue to develop and assist participants.
“The NDIS is making a difference to over 500,000 Australians, and it was rewarding to be part of a team focused on enhancing its impact.”
Looking to the future
With graduation behind him, Ethan is about to take the next big step in his career, returning to EY to begin full-time work.
“It was a joy to be a student at Macquarie,” he says. “I joined the Actuarial Students’ Society, and some of my closest friends today are people I met through that society.
“There’s a smaller cohort of actuarial students compared to other degrees, so we really got to know each other.”
My Macquarie Life
Degree: Bachelor of Actuarial Studies with Professional Practice (Honours). Graduated 2024
My job: Actuarial Consultant at EY
Three ways MQ supported me to be job-ready:
1. Practical tools. “Studying at Macquarie gave me the hard skills and knowledge needed for work.”
2. Networking opportunities. “I now have a network of peers which encourages and supports one another.”
3. Great educators. “The teaching staff members are really supportive and generous with passing on their knowledge and expertise.”
How I apply what I learned at Macquarie in the workplace:
“Much of the knowledge you gain at university will come up in your day-to-day life at work. I found numerous tasks I completed in the workplace were direct applications or variations of the concepts that were taught, the questions that were tested in an exam situation, or the assignments that were provided. In this way, Macquarie has taught me a variety of skills that are vital in the workplace.”
Advice to prospective students:
“Try to make lots of friends and enjoy your time at Macquarie!”
Find out more about the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies at the Macquarie Business School.
