Tolstoy said: "The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity." But if he was to be a college counselor today, he probably wouldn't suggest a humanities major. Math and sciences are where the money's at today. Starting salaries for engineering (petroleum, nuclear, chemical and electrical) majors, for example, far exceed those of Humanities majors. 

Once the often overlooked and underrated, actuarial science majors currently enjoy one of the most secure white-collared and well-paying jobs in America. 

So, what is an actuary? 

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