Steven Rimdzius ’23 served on a team that conducted an in-depth analysis of the effects of COVID-19 on the insurance industry for The Hartford last spring. “We gave insight into areas of insurance that may require more attention as we slowly recover from the pandemic,” he says. “The ability to analyze real world data, as well as connect with various members of The Hartford community, made the experience that much more rewarding.”
UHart Mathematics Professor and Department Chair Fei Xue recommended Steven join the team that also included UHart Barney School of Business students. A mathematics major with minors in actuarial science and data science, Steven says team project, combined with his classroom experience, helped him secure a risk management internship at FMC Corporation in Philadelphia last summer.
Steven admits he was a bit nervous at first about working in risk management. But he says UHart gave him the skills to adapt to any work environment. “Within a week I felt confident in the position, and I worked on various projects for the company,” he says. “I also worked alongside the director of risk management at FMC to gather and produce a comprehensive exposure report and begin the early stages of adopting a Risk Management Information System for the company.”
Steven says UHart’s data science courses give students exposure to the various analysis techniques that data scientists utilize. He explains Python, one of the most powerful languages used in data science, is the focus of the Introduction to Data Science course. In later courses, such as Predictive Modeling, students study the computer language R. “It has deep roots in mathematics, so R is often considered the frontrunner for producing models from a data set,” says Steven. “The course is super interesting, and I was excited to see how techniques discussed in class could be utilized in my math coursework.”
Faculty support is one of the factors that has contributed to Steven’s success. “Much of my early career success is due to Professor Xue,” he says. “Every professor in the department wants to see you succeed and offers help on difficult concepts, as well as provides opportunities to attend colloquiums or various network events that are set up for student career success. I feel as though the faculty at the University of Hartford care deeply about student success.”
Outside of classes, Steven is part of the Actuarial Science club which he says gives him opportunities to network and better understand the actuarial field. “It also acts as a connection between like-minded students who intend on pursuing a career in the actuarial field,” he says. “I’m also a member of the a cappella group HartAttack, which helps maintain my love for music and performing.”
Steven’s advice for students who are looking to pursue a mathematics or data science degree at UHart, is to keep an open mind when it comes to a career path. “In a world with rapid technological advancements, data science and mathematics are extremely beneficial skills to have. There are ways to apply these degrees in almost any field, and opportunities at UHart are limitless. I hope to make a meaningful impact in some way wherever my career takes me.”
Steven Rimdzius ’23, College of Arts and SciencesEvery professor in the department wants to see you succeed and offers help on difficult concepts, as well as provides opportunities to attend colloquiums or various network events that are set up for student career success. I feel as though the faculty at the University of Hartford care deeply about student success.