The Right Direction

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Katia Naccarato has never shied away from exploring an unfamiliar path, hitting a dead end, and trying a different one. Before she enrolled in the Master of Actuarial Science (MActSc) program at the Faculty of Mathematics, she was laser-focused on pursuing a career in medicine. Her current trajectory looks nothing like she expected, but she’s confident she’s heading in the right direction.

As an undergraduate student at Ryerson University, Naccarato studied medical physics in a bid to combine her passion for math with a career path in medicine. By her third year, she realized that her passion for physics and math eclipsed any interest in biology and chemistry. She decided to change direction.  

When she learned more about the actuarial profession during career development coaching, something clicked for Naccarato. “Actuarial science seemed like the perfect mix of math and business,” she recognized. “The MActSc program has been incredibly challenging so far, but it’s the kind of challenge that involves applying math in more ways than I could have imagined.”

Halfway through the program, Naccarato is still learning about different professional environments where she can apply her actuarial skills after graduation. “I’m not exactly sure where I’m going to end up,” she admitted, but between courses, networking opportunities, and the Waterloo reputation, she’s not concerned. “I’m in good shape for the future.”

Read more about Naccarato's experience.