Demystifying the Path to
becoming
an Actuary
Hi, I'm Kuda. I share my journey from a math student in Zimbabwe to an actuarial analyst. My mission is to show you that with grit and numbers, anything is possible.
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Independent Voice
Any tips, notes, or opinions here are personal and do not represent any employer or organization.
Made for Students
Everything here is student-centered and designed to make the actuarial journey more accessible.
Why I Started This Platform
The actuarial path is difficult, especially when you are the first in your family, your village, or your community to walk it. When I left home (Zimbabwe), I was carrying my family's hopes, my community's prayers, and my own fear of the unknown. I started ActuaryKuda to document the "reality" of this career. I wanted to move past the polished LinkedIn posts and talk about what it actually takes: not just passing exams, but navigating culture shock, loneliness, mental health challenges, managing financial pressure, and finding your footing in a new environment.
Rooted in Faith and The Spirit of Ubuntu
"Ubuntu" is an African philosophy that means "I am because we are." For me, this reflects a deep spiritual truth: God often shows His love through people.
I am here because other people chose to show up for me.
Mentors who answered my questions. A host family who opened their home when I couldn’t travel back to Zimbabwe. Friends who prayed with me before exams. Managers who took a chance on a student with “potential”. My Christian faith is at the center of this. I genuinely believe I did not “get here” by strategy alone. God carried me through grief after losing my mother at a young age, through financial uncertainty, through exams I thought I had failed, and through seasons when every door seemed closed. Each opportunity, scholarships, internships, mentors, job offers, has been a reminder of grace, not just personal effort.Because I was carried by a community, ActuaryKuda is my way of serving.
My Goal
My goal is to build a bridge for all students especially in underrepresented communities everywhere. I want to show that success in Actuarial Science is within reach, even if you are starting with limited resources.
How I Plan to Help
ActuaryKuda is a response to what God has done in my life. Here is how I plan to make the journey clearer and kinder for you:
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Tell the Honest Story: I share the highs and the lows, the exam passes and the fails, the internship offers and the rejections. We talk about mental health, and the small wins that keep you going.
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Share What I’ve Learned: I break down applications, resumes, interviews, and exam strategies into the practical, step-by-step guidance I had from mentors when I started.
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Point to Faith and Hope: I want to show how trusting God shaped my decisions and sustained me in hard seasons. I hope to help you see purpose beyond titles, salaries, and the letters after your name.
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Create Pathways, Not Just Inspiration: Inspiration is good, but resources are better. I aim to connect students to real study materials, organizations, scholarships, and people who can open doors.
"If my story can help even one student take a step they thought was impossible, then this mission is worth it."
"I am because we are."
– The Spirit of Ubuntu
Portfolio
A snapshot of my professional and creative milestones.
Finding Home and Success: Valpo Journey
Baccalaureate Service 2025 | Valparaiso University
Student Voices: The Next Big Wave of Industry Professionals
Navigating a New Frontier of Risk: Student Case Study Competition
How I Help
Clear Guidance
Learning • Growth • Community
Share simple, actionable guidance that helps students stay focused and make steady progress.
Keep the path approachable and practical, especially for first-time candidates.
Learning Support
Concepts Made Clear
Share approachable study habits, learning resources, and routines that build consistency.
Resource Guidance
Programs & Opportunities
Point to free resources, student programs, and official guidance that reduce guesswork.
Community Support
Peer Networks
Encourage supportive peer networks where students can learn together and stay motivated.
Skills & Certifications
Core Toolkit
Designations and Awards
Endorsements
Feedback from the colleagues, professors, and friends I've had the privilege to walk this path with.
From Zimbabwe to the World
A timeline of risks taken, exams passed, and lessons learned along the way.
Roots in Zimbabwe
I grew up in Zimbabwe, where I first fell in love with numbers. At O-Level, I noticed that maths was the subject that made the most sense to me. I enjoyed sitting with a problem for a long time, trying different ideas until the answer finally appeared. For A-Levels, I chose Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry because I thought I would become a medical doctor. As I went deeper into my studies, I saw a clear pattern: the subject that kept pulling me in was maths. I enjoyed past papers, calculating, and seeing how one small idea could solve a big problem. Resources were limited. The internet was slow, textbooks were shared, and information about careers like actuarial science was almost impossible to find. Still, I held on to the dream that maths could take me further than my surroundings suggested. I knew I would have to look for opportunities beyond what was right in front of me.
Crossing Oceans
Leaving Zimbabwe for the United States was a huge change. I moved to the Midwest and had to adjust to a new culture, new accents, and winters that felt like another world. At the same time I was learning how the education system worked, managing money, and keeping up with new routines. Those early semesters were tough. I failed some exams, doubted myself, and sometimes felt very alone. Instead of giving up, I decided to look for people who had already done what I was trying to do. I started messaging actuaries and students on LinkedIn, asking for advice about exams, resumes, and internships. Many people were kind enough to respond. Some reviewed my resume, some did mock interviews with me, and others simply shared their stories. Slowly, those conversations turned into real chances. I began to get interviews, then internships, and I started to see a path forward. Every setback taught me something about hard work, humility, and asking for help.
Building the Future
Today I work as an Actuarial Analyst. My daily work includes building and checking models, working with large data sets, and helping my team understand how different risks might affect the future. It is challenging, but it is also the kind of work I once dreamed about back in Zimbabwe. Out of this journey, ActuaryKuda was born. I created it to share the things I wish I had known earlier: how to choose exams, how to apply for scholarships, how to talk to professionals, and how to manage a big transition. I want a student in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana, or anywhere else to open a page, watch a video, or read a post and think, “If he did it, maybe I can too.” My goal is simple. I want to use my story to make someone else’s path clearer. Whether it is through mentoring, sharing resources, or answering questions online, I hope to build a community where students support one another and believe that an actuarial career is possible for them as well.
My SOA Exam Journey
Progress: 5 Passed.
See TimelineWatch & Listen
Deep dives into actuarial concepts, career advice, and transparent conversations about the industry.
Resources
Curated scholarships, tools, and communities.
Public Sources
This is a curated collection of free, publicly available resources.
Independent
All opinions here are personal and do not represent any employer or organization.
Verify Dates
Deadlines and requirements can change. Always confirm details on the official site.
BeAnActuary
Official beginner guide to the profession, exams, and career paths.
Explore GuideSOA Education
Syllabi, exam requirements, and official study guidance.
View RequirementsCAS Education
Property & Casualty pathways, syllabi, and exam resources.
Browse PathwayThe Actuarial Foundation
Scholarships, programs, and math education support.
See ProgramsNo resources found matching your search.
Diversity & Inclusion
IABA Scholarship
For Black students in US/Canada. Awards range from $1,500 to $5,000+. Includes mentorship and bootcamp.
Apply NowOLA Scholarship
For Latino/a students. Offers both Academic scholarships and Exam fee reimbursements.
Apply NowThe Actuarial Foundation Scholarship
For Black, Latino, Native North American, and Pacific Islander students.
Apply NowSAGAA Scholarship
Supporting LGBTQ+ students. Focus on leadership and community involvement.
Apply NowSANA Scholarship
South Asian Network of Actuaries. Includes exam reimbursement and mentorship.
Apply NowCAS Trust Diversity
Up to $10,000 for underrepresented students pursuing Property & Casualty careers.
Apply NowAbacus Actuaries
Supporting Asian actuaries in their professional journey through scholarships.
Visit SiteNAAIA Scholarship
National African American Insurance Association. Focus on industry leadership.
Apply NowAPIA Scholars
Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars. Broad STEM focus, applicable to math majors.
Apply NowMerit & Foundation
Stuart A. Robertson
Up to $10,000 for full-time undergraduates who have passed at least two exams.
Apply NowCurtis Huntington
For college seniors. Nomination by professor required. $3,000 award.
Apply NowActuary of Tomorrow
Recognizing undergraduates with a passion for the career. $9,000 award.
Apply NowThe Spencer Educational Foundation
Founded in 1979, the Spencer Educational Foundation is the leading organization dedicated to funding the education of the next generation of risk management and insurance leaders.
Apply NowLoman Education
Financial aid for students in Insurance/Risk Management provided by The Institutes.
Apply NowActuarial Exam Support Program (CAS/SOA)
Awarded to provide assistance to actuarial exam candidates who are most in need of support paying for exam registration fees and study materials.
Apply NowGIS Scholarships
Various awards for active members of the Gamma Iota Sigma fraternity.
Apply NowHickman Scholars Program
Established to increase the number of academic actuaries who hold a PhD and an actuarial designation.
Apply NowCanadian & International
CIA Indigenous
Canadian Institute of Actuaries scholarship for Indigenous students.
Visit AFCASNA Awards
Actuarial Students National Association (Canada) scholarships for conference attendees.
Visit ASNACaribbean Actuarial
For students from Caribbean nations (Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad) pursuing exams.
Apply NowIFoA Foundation
Hardship grants and scholarships for students globally taking IFoA exams.
Visit IFoAHarold W. Schloss
Specific scholarship for University of Iowa students focusing on P&C.
Apply NowOCCA Scholarship
Ontario Conference of Casualty Actuaries awards for local university students.
Apply NowWaterloo Entrance
Various entrance scholarships for Mathematics/Actuarial Science students.
Apply NowU of M Bursaries
Specific bursaries for Warren Centre for Actuarial Studies students.
Apply NowRegional Actuarial Clubs
Pipeline & Support
Student Success Hub
Two high-impact starting points for students: community and competitions.
A Student-First Promise: This hub curates free public resources, and any notes are personal and independent.
Community & Forums
Ask questions, share wins, and learn from peers.
Competitions & Challenges
Build credibility through real-world case studies.
Ask Kuda Anything
Virtual Kuda
Fast answers on exams, scholarships, and career moves.
Focus
Exams
Focus
Scholarships
Focus
Career
I'm programmed with Kuda's best advice, but I might make mistakes.
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Virtual Kuda
AI Mentor • Online
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