Honor Society® member
Alatta Lawrence
Actuarial Intern at Principal Financial Group - Variable Annuities
- Georgia State University
- Actuarial Science
- Class of 2022
- Stone Mountain, Georgia
Member since March 2020
About
Ever since I was a child, Mathematics has always made more sense than any other subject. I was always fascinated by the simplicities and complexities of the field and how it created solutions and explanations to problems that changed people's lives. The accuracy of the calculations was mind-blowing, and it captured and maintained my curiosity. However, when I was 14 years old, I discovered Actuarial Science after researching the field and found only two practicing actuaries in my native country. I then decided that was the career path that I wanted to take.
I obtained an Associate of Arts in Actuarial Science from Broward College in Coconut Creek, Florida. I am currently an undergraduate student at Georgia State University studying Actuarial Science with a minor in Computer Information Systems and a Georgia State University Honors College member, along with other excellent organizations. I was an Actuarial Intern at Nationwide Financial on the Annuities Modeling Team during Summer 2021 and was assigned to the Institutional Solutions Financial Reporting Team during Spring 2021. Within the Annuities Modeling Team, I shadowed team members in updating the models to produce policy output to help calculate reserves and maintain the company's solvency and worked on developing my actuarial skills within the corporate space.
Education
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Georgia State University
Actuarial Science
2019 – 2022
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Broward College
Actuarial Science
2010 – 2011
Honors and awards
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Georgia State University Presidents List: Fall 2019
To be eligible for the President's List, degree-seeking students must have earned a GPA of at least 4.0 for a minimum of nine semester hours of academic credit taken at Georgia State during the fall or spring term with no in-completes for the semester.
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Alumni Association Scholarship for US Military Veterans
To provide scholarships for US Military Veterans enrolled in good academic standing at Georgia State University.
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Georgia State University Deans List: Spring 2020
To be eligible for the Dean's List, degree-seeking students must have earned a GPA of at least 3.5 for a minimum of nine semester hours of academic credit taken at Georgia State during the fall or spring term with no in-completes for the semester.
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Stuart Schwarzschild Scholarship
Recipients must have completed at least two years of college credits, placing her in the top 10% of her class, and have participated actively and creditably in employment, charitable volunteerism, athletics, ROTC, or similar non-academic activities.
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Georgia State University Presidents List: Summer 2020
To be eligible for the President's List, degree-seeking students must have earned a GPA of at least 4.0 for a minimum of nine semester hours of academic credit taken at Georgia State during the fall or spring term with no in-completes for the semester.
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Phi Chi Theta Atlanta Alumni Chapter Scholarship
Applicants must be an undergraduate student with a 3.0 GPA or graduate students with a 3.25 GPA in the college.
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Alumni Association Scholarship for US Military Veterans
To provide scholarships for US Military Veterans enrolled in good academic standing at Georgia State University.
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Target Market Program Administrators Association Scholarship (TMPAA)
To provide undergraduate scholarships to students whose major or field of concentration is risk management with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
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State Farm Scholarship for Veterans
Recipients must provide proof of military service, demonstrate a record of community involvement and have a demonstrated financial need as determined by the GSU Office of Financial Aid.
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International Association of Black Actuaries Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of individual merit. The amount of the award typically ranges from $1,500 - $5,000/year and is based on full-time status during the upcoming school year.
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Georgia State University Deans List: Spring 2021
To be eligible for the Dean's List, degree-seeking students must have earned a GPA of at least 3.5 for a minimum of nine semester hours of academic credit taken at Georgia State during the fall or spring term with no in-completes for the semester.
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KPMG John T. Zellner Scholarship in Actuarial Science
The recipients must be in good academic standing at Georgia State University, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and have demonstrated financial need as determined by the GSU Office of Financial Aid.
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Georgia State University Deans List: Summer 2021
To Be Eligible For The Dean's List, Degree-Seeking Students Must Have Earned A GPA Of At Least 3.5 For A Minimum Of Nine Semester Hours Of Academic Credit Taken At Georgia State During The Fall Or Spring Term With No In-Completes For The Semester.
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High Honors Student Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to reward an ambitious Honor Society student who has performed at a superior rate both academically and holistically. Members with High Honors Student status (based on last semester’s GPA 3.5-3.79 unweighted) are eligible.
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Atlanta CPCU Presidential Scholarship
The Atlanta CPCU Society Chapter sponsors up to two $2,500 and two $1,500 college scholarships for the 2021-2022 school year. The Chapter chooses up to four scholarships that are awarded to any current Risk Management and Insurance college major.
Goals and interests
- Career goal
I plan to continue my studies towards becoming a certified actuary working with a company that aligns with my values within the life or health insurance sector. I will obtain my actuarial credentials for Probability (Exam P), Financial Mathematics (Exam FM), and Investment and Financial Markets (Exam IFM) preliminary examinations by the end of December 2022 and continue towards earning my fellowship from the Society of Actuaries.
- Graduate school interests
I plan on returning, possibly to Georgia State University, to attain a dual-degree Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics and Master of Actuarial Science.
- Outside the classroom
Traveling is one of my number one passion outside of school because I can experience different cultures and lifestyles across the globe and develop deeper perspectives of life. When I am not traveling, I love watching movies, reading, running, hiking, learning new skills, fishing, and watching golf. I have always wanted to be a violinist because of the grace and power of the instrument, so I picked up the hobby when I bought a violin and began teaching myself how to play. So far, it has not been the best, but I will continue until I get there.
Experience
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Actuarial Intern
Principal Financial Group - Variable Annuities
May 2022 – Aug 2022
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Actuarial Intern
Nationwide Financial - Annuities Modeling
May 2021 – Aug 2021
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Actuarial Intern
Nationwide Financial - Institutional Solutions Financial Reporting
Jan 2021 – May 2021
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Student Assistant
Georgia State University - Computer Information Systems Department
Jan 2020 – Dec 2021
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Combat Engineer
United States Marine Corps
Apr 2012 – Aug 2019
Volunteering
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Student Mentor
Gamma Iota Sigma Mentorship Program
Oct 2021 – Dec 2021
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Student Mentor
Honors College Community Mentorship Program
Sep 2021 – Dec 2021
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2nd Platoon Team Member/Volunteer
The Mission Continues
Jan 2020 – Dec 2022
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Community Volunteer
Milford Baptist Church C3 Ministries Inc.
Jan 2020
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Tutor | Mentor | Youth Development | Community Volunteer
Hands On Atlanta
Jan 2020 – Dec 2022
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Community Volunteer
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity
Jan 2020 – Dec 2022
Languages
- English (US) Fluent
Additional information
Organizations
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Golden Key International Honor Society (opens in a new tab)
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Gamma Iota Sigma - Zeta Chapter (opens in a new tab)
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National Society of Leadership and Success (opens in a new tab)
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International Association of Black Actuaries (opens in a new tab)
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Beta Gamma Sigma - The International Business Honor Society (opens in a new tab)
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Georgia State University Actuarial Ambassador Program (opens in a new tab)
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Honor Society - A Tradition to Success (opens in a new tab)
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National Society of Collegiate Scholars (opens in a new tab)
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Georgia State University Actuarial Student Association (opens in a new tab)
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Georgia State University Honors College (opens in a new tab)
