Ryan Drohan ’17, ’24MSAS
Why did you study actuarial science at Bryant?
I was always very excited by math, and there were only a few universities in the Northeast that offered actuarial mathematics as a program. When I toured Bryant, I just fell in love with the campus, the students, and the faculty.
When I got an email from Bryant about the new Master of Science in Actuarial Science program, I looked back on my experience as an undergrad, the community, and both the soft and hard skills I got from my program, and I just started putting the pieces together. It made sense to apply.
What are you hoping to gain from the MSAS program?
Mainly skill building and career reinforcement. Learning regulator and policyholder communication has been directly translatable to my career. There’s also a focus on software skills, like R Studio and Excel, which are very helpful.
What are the benefits of the online, asynchronous structure?
Because it’s asynchronous, I can work any time of day, and that really fits into my lifestyle. I can work my job as I need to and complete the courses due to the flexibility of the program. You can take one or two courses each term, and you can take them at any pace. You don’t need to wait for a certain semester to start.
I was wary about the availability of the professors in case I had a question or problem I couldn’t figure out. However, the professors have been very responsive, and my primary concern was quickly alleviated in my first semester.
What kind of math background do students need to succeed in the program?
I would say calculus-level math is necessary, but everything above that is just gravy. The professors have been very helpful. If there’s anything that you don’t know in terms of advanced actuarial math, they will be there for you. If you come in with an open mind and motivation to get into the field — and you have a base level of knowledge — this will be a fantastic program for you.
How has the MSAS program impacted your career?
I recently accepted a new position at A-CAP Management. The firm is a parent company that owns a few insurance and reinsurance companies and manages their investment portfolios. I work with both the risk management/liability side of the firm, as well as the portfolio management and asset side. I believe this advancement was thanks to a unique blend of my career experience in investments and the education and skills Bryant’s actuarial programs have given me.
It’s common to think studying actuarial math means becoming an actuary and working in the insurance field, but a lot of the tools and skills are correlated with the investments and finance field as well. Accepting this opportunity has really strengthened my belief that Bryant’s MSAS program — while having clear benefits for an actuarial career path — also has direct pros and applications to careers in the broader financial services industry.
Why would you recommend Bryant?
The people, from the professors to the students to the administrators, are the primary reason why I would recommend Bryant. They’re the reason why I was so willing to come back. The community feel makes Bryant a great experience, all in addition to the level of education provided.
A Connected Community
Bryant's purposeful student life delivers co-curricular immersion with an inspiring, collegial community. Students forge deep connections that last a lifetime.
“For kids who are passionate about going into creative fields, you have to teach the stuff they need to know and can’t figure out themselves, which is the business side. If you don’t have that education, you’re not going to be as successful.”
“Coming to Bryant is a great opportunity to step out of the bubble that you’re in now. It’s very challenging, but also rewarding in the sense that you’ll be more equipped to be a better person in business. You will also learn about yourself and your role within society, and how to best execute that role.”
“I love the experience of working with other professionals. Not only am I making connections with my professors, but I’m also making connections with my classmates. You really get a sense of community in addition to the experience of getting your degree.”