Meet the team

Judith Powills

• Senior Director of Curriculum and Content

• Hometown:
  Milwaukee, WI (I've been living in Chicago for a long time, but I remain a Packers fan!)
• Educational background:
  B.A. University of Wisconsin
  M.A. Loyola University of Chicago
• The last book I read was:
  Life by Keith Richards
• My favorite movie is:
  Too many to mention.
• My iTunes library includes:
  Classic Rock, Blues, Jazz and a lot of Beatles.
• If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be:
  Anything but lima beans! Ok – I'll go with pizza, buttered popcorn or ice cream sundaes.
• Number of years working with the SOA:
  9
• My role at the SOA involves:
  Focus on learning and assessment (prequalification education – e-Learning in particular; professional development offerings in a variety of formats): needs assessment, design, development, delivery and evaluation.
• One thing I wish that students and candidates knew about the SOA is:
  You are a key stakeholder seeking to achieve a valued credential. Your feedback is important. The SOA is committed to maintaining the integrity of the education system, preserving the value of the credentials and advancing the profession. Value your education, focus on your learning and act with honesty and integrity.
• The best thing about being on the SOA campus visit team is:
  Sharing information, learning from students, experiencing the energy of the academic community and the actuaries of the future.
• The question I get most often from students is:
  How long does it take to achieve the FSA designation? My answer is that the average age is currently around 31 years, though the range is substantial. It really depends on you – your experience, the time you have to study, your learning style, your readiness for each exam, the support you receive from others, your work and personal responsibilities, etc. It's all about learning. Take it seriously and be diligent.
• I consider a visit successful if:
  We engage the students and faculty. Students leave with a view that the SOA has a face, is not hiding behind a curtain pretending to be the Wizard of Oz. Students understand that we are interested in helping them find the information they need and in answering (or finding the answers to) their questions. We make an impression so that students are encouraged to continue on the path to becoming members of a great profession and a great membership organization.
• One tip I'd give candidates currently taking exams is:
  Study hard, learn and share. Take your education (university and SOA) seriously. Understand the concepts and their applications.
• One thing that every candidate should know about the profession is:
  The profession you are considering is one valued for professionalism, ethics and integrity and solving business problems.