When we remember 2018, its events and circumstances have been more varied and challenging than one might imagine. Hacks, ransomware and data intrusions were announced weekly. Volcanic eruptions, wildfires and mudslides decimated a record number of homes and forest acreage. The entire island of Puerto Rico continues to suffer Hurricane Maria’s devastating effects. We have also become numb to the numerous senseless shootings in places where we used to feel safe. 

I recently had the good fortune to become Exam Coordinator for Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, Inc. At Pinnacle, the Exam Coordinator is part administrator, part mentor and part cheerleader. In this role, I have the opportunity to be involved with 30 of my exam-taking colleagues as they navigate their way toward becoming credentialed actuaries.

Marijuana legalization is increasingly prevalent in the United States. Whether for medicinal or recreational use, marijuana is more acceptable these days. A greater number of physicians are prescribing it for their patients, and the U.S. marijuana industry is rapidly expanding. Yet it is still a Schedule 1 drug, as defined by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). So is an employee who is either prescribed or legally using marijuana eligible to receive workers’ compensation (WC) benefits if they are injured on the job and test positive for it?

At last month’s Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, we were each honored to become Associates of the CAS and receive our ACAS credentials. What made this time even more special was the fact that we had both followed “non-traditional” routes to join the actuarial profession. We’d like to share some of our reflections on our time at the meeting and our respective career journeys.

We’ve all heard the old adage, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” but the reverse is now top of mind for those of us in northern California. Since November 8th, the Camp Fire in Butte County has burned over 150,000 acres, over 17,000 structures and has claimed over 80 lives, with several hundred souls still missing. While I certainly don’t want to downplay the fire’s devastation, I do want to draw attention to another dangerous matter: the air pollution it has generated.