Finding My Path: How Math, Mentorship, and Meaning Led Me to an Actuarial Career

Written by Tinashe Masaya

When people ask how I became an actuary, I always smile because in many ways, the journey started long before I even knew what the word actuary meant. From a young age, I discovered that math was more than something I was good at; it was something I genuinely enjoyed. Numbers made sense to me. They were consistent, logical, and full of possibility.

Like many students, my path was shaped by someone who believed in me. In high school, I had a teacher who not only saw my potential but nurtured it. He encouraged me to challenge myself, stay curious, and keep pursuing a subject I loved. That early support made a lasting impact, and it’s a big reason why I care today about helping open doors for the next generation of students.

When I came to the United States for college, I enrolled in a liberal arts program planning to study biology and math. I’ve always loved science, and for a while I imagined I might follow a traditional STEM path. But then I took my first economics and corporate finance classes, and everything clicked. I became fascinated by how numbers could explain how businesses operate, make decisions, and manage risks. I started searching for careers that could combine math with business.

Still, actuarial science wasn’t even on my radar until my junior year of college, when a good friend casually mentioned it: “You know, with your skillset, you might really like actuarial work.” That one comment changed everything. I began researching actuarial science, speaking with people in the field, and quickly realized this was exactly what I had been looking for.

Three things drew me into the actuarial profession. First, it was intellectually rewarding. I would get to solve complex problems that genuinely matter to businesses and society. Second, it offered strong work-life balance. The profession is demanding, but it’s also structured in a way that supports long-term growth and sustainability. And finally, it blended math and business perfectly. I didn’t have to choose between the two, I could build a career at their intersection.

Today, I often tell students that actuarial science is one of the most rewarding and impactful professions they can pursue. It teaches you how to think critically, analyze risk, communicate clearly, and shape strategies in industries that affect millions of people, insurance, finance, healthcare, retirement, and beyond. You don’t have to know everything on day one. Curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a love for problem-solving is a great first step.

At Voya Financial, I’m fortunate to apply my actuarial and risk background to work that meaningfully impacts our customers and the business. What I value most is that Voya invests not just in technical excellence, but in our people, our culture, and the communities we serve. This past fall, I helped lead a successful fundraiser supporting The Actuarial Foundation’s efforts to expand math education. What impressed me most was how quickly Voya employees rallied behind the cause. Teams across the company stepped up, donating, participating, and championing a mission that aligns closely with both our values and my own journey.

If someone had told the math-loving kid growing up on a small farm in Zimbabwe that she would one day become an actuary in a Fortune 500 company, she probably would not have believed it. But that is the beauty of this profession and the opportunities around us; your path can be shaped by passion, mentorship, and the courage to explore something new. If you love math, enjoy solving problems, or like building or supporting businesses, I hope my story encourages you to look at actuarial science. It is a challenging, meaningful, and deeply rewarding career, and one that is worth exploring.

Any opinions and positions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Voya Financial, Inc. and its affiliates.