Congratulations to the Alpha Phi students who impressively swept three of the four 2013 GEICO Achievement Awards available in the region: Mariana Aragon, Laniece Blackmon and Daniel Jefferis.

The awards are presented across the country to college sophomores and juniors majoring in business, computer science, mathematics and related fields - all of which are critical to the success of companies like GEICO.

Mike McShane, associate professor of finance and director of the Emergent Risk Institute at ODU, said the three students are terrific representatives of the school and the CBPA's risk management and insurance track.

"GEICO looks for great students from any major. The fact that three of the four regional winners of the award were not only ODU students, but also risk management and insurance majors, speaks to the quality of students that are coming through this program," McShane said.

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You just graduated, what's next for you?

The thought of what's next after graduation can be quite daunting. For me, next includes moving to Chicago and beginning my dream career in actuarial consulting. Beyond that very broad description, I have no idea what next entails. I'm equally terrified and excited, but with an open mind I feel the options are endless!

Tell us about the job you have lined up.

Come August I will begin my professional career at Ernst & Young in the Insurance and Actuarial Advisory Services practice. For a lot of students, it takes time and exploration to discover what career path they hope to pursue upon graduation, but that certainly was not the case for me. At the age of 13, my dream was to become an actuary and work at one of the Big Four accounting firms. Now, eight years later - it's my reality! Words cannot describe how excited I am to have the opportunity to work and grow in a firm characterized by its dynamic environment and global mindset. The wealth of knowledge and opportunities available to me at Ernst & Young is infinite, and I simply hope to learn anything and everything I can!

What would you say to students considering actuarial science as an academic or career path?

Being an actuary is a great profession - the consistently high rankings on lists of top jobs can attest to that. However, one thing that often gets downplayed is the level of dedication and passion required to be successful in this career path. It's a career that is equally rewarding as challenging, and one that provides an increasing number of opportunities. The actuarial skill set is unique and with growing popularity recognized as invaluable in a variety of contexts. Actuaries are no longer just employed by insurance and consulting companies. Actuarial students could find themselves working in job capacities 20 years from now that don't exist today; that's very exciting!

How has GIS helped prepare you for where you are now?

While some may disagree, I feel that the main point of attending college is to get a job, but in today's competitive job market it is no longer enough to simply earn a degree. Gamma Iota Sigma provided me with all the "extra stuff" beyond a classroom education that has helped me pursue a career. Through GIS I've had countless opportunities for industry exposure, professional networking, and real-world applicable learning. I love that GIS has a cohesive focus on insurance, risk management, and actuarial science. Gaining a better understanding of the bigger picture beyond just the numbers is so valuable as an actuarial student. The transition between a college classroom and professional workplace can be intimidating, but I know the experiences I've gained through GIS will help make it a smooth one.

Solve the Beal Conjecture, a number theory problem that has for decades stumped mathematicians the world over, and the $1 million prize money could be yours! Read the full announcement.