Coordinating the onboarding

It's been one week since we completed the move from Logan to Portland. By completed I mean we returned the U-Haul a week ago today. I think it's fair to say now we are in a very beautiful area with greenery that does not cease to amaze me everywhere we go.

Update on Cambia. I start my internship on Monday! I got a call from on-boarding coordinator Dustin yesterday afternoon to answer any questions about my first day or what to expect. What a cool company. They want to make sure I'm feeling good about everything. I learned that my supervisor will take me to lunch on Monday and I was able to ask what to wear and what I need to bring with me. Dustin even gave me his cell number in case I have questions on the weekend. When I asked if I should brush up on anything in particular before Monday morning he suggested, "Honestly, I'd say just enjoy the weather this weekend and then come in on Monday." Great advice.

Threads in the pattern

I finished tonight what may be my last university homework assignment ever. It's hard to say because I don't know if Cambia will offer me employment at the conclusion of my internship this summer. But it's possible. It's a weird feeling, really. My last homework assignment may have been on the definition of a derivative. Not sure how I feel about that. It hasn't been the most interesting topic, so it's not much of a bang to go out with.

Though, I do remember emailing McKay while he was in Florida serving as a missionary. I was in high school, studying calculus. I asked him if he still knew how to find the derivative of a certain function. He confessed he did not. (McKay went on to get both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in math.)

So it is that I [possibly] end where I [kind of] began. The wheel of time certainly does turn.

The incidental internship offer (!!)

Crazy story. McKay sent me an email Thursday morning for an actuarial analyst assistant position that recently opened at Cambia Health Solutions so that I can apply to more positions and increase my chances for getting into the company. So. I get home after my tutoring hours on campus and a few hours later I call my HR connection at Cambia, to find out about addressing the cover letter to someone.

HR PERSON: Hi, this is [name].

ME: Hi, [name], this is Tyler Heasley. I applied to an internsh—

HR PERSON: Tyler! You must be psychic or something. I was just about to call you!

ME: Oh!

HR PERSON: Yeah, I was just preparing an email for you and I was literally looking up your phone number this very minute. Our team was very impressed with you from your interview, and we want to offer you an actuarial internship position at our Portland office!

CRAZY, right?? So so so so cool. I was sitting in my office chair in our bedroom and turned to look at Karen, who was sitting on the bed. My eyes were wide, her eyes were wide, and her jaw was dropped. She could hear the whole conversation apparently. She pointed at her phone and mouthed, “Can I text people?” and I nodded yes. The rest of my phone conversation is such a blur because I could hardly remain focused at all. It was such a surprise.

HR PERSON: Do you have any questions for me right now?

ME: I...don’t know. This conversation is not at all what I expected it to be.

HR PERSON: Oh, haha! What was it you were calling me about?

I explained that I learned of another position and figured I’d try other angles of applying so that I could find my way into the company. She then reaffirmed that the internship experience is an excellent opportunity to get to know the company. She added that many of their interns are eventually hired on full-time.

If I had to sum up the phone call, I’d say it was easily one of the most surprising calls I’ve ever had. And there was much laughter on both sides. I HAVE AN ACTUARIAL INTERNSHIP!! Pretty exciting.

Karen, of course, told her entire family and is much relieved. She feels like a huge weight is gone. When I called McKay and told him, he was super excited. He told McKenna and I could hear her very audible gasp. (If you know McKenna, you know what I’m talking about.) So now, of course, we’ll have to start making plans as to how we’re going to get out there, where we’ll live, etc. Oh yeah, and there’s a baby coming in the middle of the internship. This year is gonna be nuts. And amazing.

The jaw-dropping miracle of miracles

Everything’s set for me to go to Provo tomorrow to the Cambia information session at BYU. That is, given the snowstorm isn’t terrible.

That’s right. Snowstorm. It’s been sunny and nice weather, cruising at about 60-65 degrees for a little while and then WHAM! We’re supposed to have a snowstorm tomorrow. So, if it’s not dangerous, I’ll go.

Also, the miracle of miracles happened. During econ this morning, Dr. Bailey reminded the class that the lowest midterm score is dropped. He said, “So, if you’re comfortable with your grades from the first two midterms, then you may choose not to take the test next week.” If my jaw did not drop, I’m sure the same effect happened in my shocked mind. Since I got 100% on the other two midterms, I can’t do any better, so I can just skip this next exam and put those hours toward studying for Exam P (the first actuarial exam)! I texted Karen right away, and she was excited too. So, instead of taking three exams and grading one next week, I’m taking two and grading one. Shouldn’t be nearly as awful.

The day the earth rotated off its axis

was the day I got laid off, Karen came down with mastitis, and McKay got a job offer in Portland. Which of these things is not like the others?

We're very excited for McKay to start working for Cambia. And it sounds like they are thrilled. McKay called and wanted to know what I thought of Portland (because we both know he's probably my "in" to the industry), and I definitely approve. That's about three years out, but it'll come quickly, I'm sure. (I know nothing about Portland, by the way.) Here's hoping my career as an actuary just got a little closer.