It can seem daunting as a new trainee actuary starting out in a new career and a new environment. We've pulled together some survival skills people who have been through it.

When you're new, don't assume that everyone else must know everything because they have done more exams. Although the exams give you a good technical grounding, often they are not directly relevant to the work people do day to day. As a new graduate this means that you shouldn't be afraid to speak up and share your ideas and opinions, because they are as valid as everyone else's.

Don't be afraid to ask questions and bounce ideas off others, both when you are new and throughout your career. Not everyone is an expert at everything, so there will be things your colleagues ask you for help with and there will be things you need to ask them for help with.

Be challenging. If you disagree with the approach being taken or you think something has been missed then speak up. If you can do this in a way which is sensitive to people's feelings then you will be a very valuable member of the team.

Take all the study support offered to you. Tutorials and assignment marking might seem like a lot of work, but they really help you to pass.

Find your level with the exams that balances fast enough progress with a good work and home life. There is always going to be someone you know or know of trying to break the record for the fastest qualifier ever, but ultimately no-one really remembers how quickly people passed the exams once they have finished. Good work performance, a good attitude and average exam pass speed will be valued more highly than fast exam passing alone.

Acronyms - when you start working, one of the first things you will notice is the sheer number (and increasing proliferation) of acronyms and jargon. So if you're finding it difficult to remember the difference between an ESG and an ICG, why not keep a list of all the acronyms you come across together with their meanings? And don't be afraid to ask what an acronym stands for!

Dona