CAS最新成立的地区分会
Education gained through life experience, work and the classroom is an essential factor in one’s career. Delvin Cai, FCAS, has used his education in China and the United States to establish himself in the actuarial profession, and he credits his success to his learning experiences from these two distinctive cultures and business environments.
Cai grew up in Chengdu and Shanghai, cities in China each with populations over 20 million. With large classrooms and demanding academic curriculum, he quickly learned personal discipline. He came to the U.S. through an exchange student program, attending Snohomish High School, just north of Seattle, Washington. He returned to China for his senior year of high school and obtained high scores in both the college entrance exam in China as well as the international test of English as a foreign language. He won a scholarship to Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he obtained his BA, double-majoring in mathematics and economics.
Macalester, affectionately referred to by its student body and alumni as “Mac,” is a liberal arts college that traditionally welcomes international students. Cai’s graduating class was 20 percent international, and he made friends with students from India, Norway, Israel, Jamaica and other countries. “I really love the friendliness of the campus and in the Twin Cities,” he said. “I carry that friendliness with me today.” Macalester is a sociable campus; during semester finals members of the Macalester faculty serve food to students studying late at night in a ritual called the “midnight breakfast.”
After his junior year of college, Cai pursued an internship at Towers Perrin (now Towers Watson) in Minneapolis and started his journey to becoming an actuary. At Towers Perrin, Cai met CAS member Amy Bouska. His goal was to return to China in business, so Bouska directed him to pursue the CAS general insurance track. He also conducted his honors thesis with Bouska on the issue of terrorism insurance.
There’s a saying in China that “everything is possible but nothing is easy.” After achieving his ACAS in 2008, Cai returned to his home country, but he wasn’t fazed by the thought of hard work. “Going back to China was not a daunting decision as there were already a couple dozen CAS members when I arrived,” he said. The CAS was playing an active role in the development of local general insurance regulation and Cai was happy to be part of that effort. He currently works for Towers Watson in Shanghai. “I love that Shanghai is a mix of financial professionals, architects and chefs interpreting the East meeting the West,” he said.
Cai became an FCAS in 2009 and has been an active CAS volunteer since earning his ACAS in 2008. He served a term on the CAS Leadership Development Committee and serves on the Asia Regional Committee. Likewise, he has been instrumental in developing the new Asia CAS Regional Affiliate and will act as its first president. “Volunteering for CAS and our actuarial community is a fulfilling experience that allows me to do what I love and do it often,” he said.
Cai’s career development in China and the United States has paid off, and he now represents the CAS in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. The rigorous educational upbringing in China and the positive attitude he acquired in Minnesota influence both his personal and professional life. He is an example of how different educational experiences — from grade school through college and internships — can confidently guide one’s life and career.
Matt Caruso is the membership and volunteer manager for the CAS.
