From a young age, Michal Zurek, a 2019 Moraine Valley graduate, had an inquisitive mind and showed a great interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). While he was not sure what his future would look like, the details became clearer during his time at Moraine Valley.
Peter Keep, professor of Mathematics at Moraine Valley, had a strong influence on Zurek’s academic path. 鈥淧rofessor Keep directly influenced my decision to major in mathematics,鈥� Zurek said. 鈥淒uring my enrollment, I only knew that I wanted to have a career in the STEM field.鈥�
As he continued his coursework, Zurek deepened his interest in math. Over time, he found that he especially enjoyed statistics 鈥� a branch of mathematics focused on collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting and presenting data. He said discovering this area helped lead him toward a career in actuarial science.
After earning an associate in science degree from Moraine Valley in 2019, Zurek transferred to the University of Illinois Chicago. There, he continued studying mathematics and earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in mathematics. His time at both institutions helped him build a strong foundation in problem solving and analytical thinking.
Today, Zurek works as a senior actuarial analyst at First Chicago Insurance Company, a multiline insurance carrier specialized in affordable personal auto insurance. In his role, he uses math and statistics to evaluate risk and predict uncertain events. His work includes building predictive models and applying actuarial methods to real-world situations that affect business decisions. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very interesting and challenging career where you get to apply math and statistics in a business setting,鈥� he said.
Zurek recently reached an important milestone by becoming an associate member of the Casualty Actuarial Society. He said membership is something he has been working toward since he was 19. The process requires passing a series of rigorous exams that test knowledge in actuarial topics. 鈥淩igorous exams are administered to prove your mastery of actuarial topics, and I recently passed my seventh exam,鈥� he shared.
Looking back on his experience, Zurek said support from professors played an important role in his success. He encourages current Moraine Valley students to take advantage of the college鈥檚 resources. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to ask professors for help and join a club,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can meet people with similar interests during your time at Moraine Valley.鈥�
Zurek’s journey shows how an early interest in STEM, combined with guidance and hard work, can lead to a successful and rewarding career.
