Actuarial Student Has a Formula for Future Success
“St. John’s actuarial program is great at preparing students for the actuarial exams, which is the most important step in receiving credentials and starting in the industry,” Abigail said. “The classes here are specifically structured to get students through the door and solidify a robust foundation.”
Nearly a thousand miles away from her home in New Berlin, WI, Abigail O’Neill set her eyes on becoming the future manager of an actuarial firm.
She came to St. John’s University four years ago to pursue a vigorous course of study at the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science (GSRM), part of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business.
An Actuarial Science major, Abigail wanted to apply her mathematical instincts to real-world circumstances and serve businesses, economies, and consumers. Passionate about actuarial science and its risk management implications, she aspired to become a leader in an industry that is becoming increasingly essential.
“Math is universal, concrete, and undeniable,” Abigail explained. “If your calculations are right, you can, for example, innovate a new insurance plan for homeowners looking for cheaper flood insurance.”
Her four years at St. John’s have raced by. In the process, she obtained an internship with SOMPO, a leading global insurance and reinsurance firm. During her internship this past summer, she researched and developed pricing for flood insurance plans, using the mathematical coding essential to the industry while collaborating with professionals.
Her effort paid off when she was honored in September with the St. John’s Award at the annual Insurance Insider US Honors ceremony in Manhattan, NY. The award is given to students who demonstrate dedication in the classroom; maintain a 3.5-or-higher grade point average; complete an industry internship with distinction; and demonstrate leadership in insurance-related matters.
A Leader by Nature: How Opportunities at St. John’s University Inspired Abigail O’Neill
Abigail impressed more than the awards committee with her work at SOMPO. She will continue in a full-time position in SOMPO’s actuarial trainee program upon graduating from St. John’s in May.
“I have worked very hard at St. John’s to be at the top of my classes—and to see that hard work recognized was rewarding,” Abigail said.
Abigail credited University Career Services with sending her résumé to SOMPO and for helping her build a network so she can advance in the insurance and risk management industries. She said Greenberg School faculty members Ralph Rogalla, Ph.D., Associate Professor, and Ping Wang Ph.D., Professor, inspired her to pursue the actuarial and risk management sectors and encouraged her to bring the tools she learned in the classroom to her internship and future career.
“Early on, Abigail showed a strong foundation in calculus and probability theory, both of which are keys to success in the actuarial series,” Dr. Wang said. “Abigail also demonstrated diligence and self-discipline in the classroom and on all the course assessments. But as importantly, she recognized that St. John’s has an excellent and caring faculty who could skillfully help her and other students navigate a path to success.”
While at SOMPO, Abigail recognized the value of coding for future actuaries, and was grateful to add a minor in Computer Science at The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies. She said St. John’s is ahead of the curve in teaching Python and R coding techniques, allowing students to gain firsthand experience with the coding language actuaries use in the field.
“St. John’s actuarial program is great at preparing students for the actuarial exams, which is the most important step in receiving credentials and starting in the industry,” Abigail said. “The classes here are specifically structured to get students through the door and solidify a robust foundation.”
Abigail O’Neill Excels in Leadership Positions in St. John’s Theater Group, Sorority
While at St. John’s, Abigail cultivated diverse interests, including membership in the Chappell Players Theater Group, where she is now head producer. During the 2024 Fall Activities Fair, she signed up for a dozen more clubs and organizations.
As a Chappell Players executive board member, Abigail is responsible for facilitating the casting, directing, and overseeing of productions, allowing her to draw upon the organizational and leadership skills cultivated as part of her professional preparation.
Within the Chappell Players family, she found sisterhood with members of the Alpha Psi Omega sorority, where she managed several tasks, including coordinating and choreographing a team for a lip sync event. She believes St. John’s students “have the freedom to try as much as they can while finding a passion in life and developing genuine connections” through clubs, activities, Greek life, and professional development opportunities.
The managerial expertise, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills Abigail cultivated with the Chappell Players and her sorority equipped her “with the aptitude to multitask and gain insight into to processes of managing groups to achieve a common goal—which is crucial for my dream job as an actuary manager for an insurance company,” she said.
