The Actuary Vol. 31, No. 5 on Being a Professional

Article from: The Actuary May 1997 – Volume 31, No. 5 The Actuary • May 1997 3 EDITORIALOPINION On being a professional by David M. Holland 1996-97 SOA President ometimes it seems there are not Getting back to linguistics, enough words in the English someone who does something Slanguage. Professionalism is a core out of pure love is an “amateur” The value for the SOA, and yet there is a according to the Latin root of the SOA uses broad spectrum of behavior and values word. A “professional,” according to “professional” in the embodied in the word “professional.” Webster’s Third New International context of this Webster’s definition: For example, Roberto Alomar is a Dictionary, is “one that engages in a “one who belongs to one of the professional baseball player with the particular pursuit, study, or science for learned professions or is in an occupa- Baltimore Orioles. Last season he was gain or livelihood.” Another definition tion requiring a high level of training suspended for spitting in the face of an given by Webster’s is “participating for and proficiency.” Although the umpire, and even though the suspen- gain or livelihood in an activity or field “learned professions” of medicine, sion did not take place until after of endeavor often engaged in by law, and theology long predate the crucial playoff games at the end of the amateurs (a ˜ baseball player).” It is development of actuarial science, the season, it does show he was subject to the money that has transformed SOA aspires to meet the following a code of conduct and discipline. Alomar from an amateur to a profes- definition of “profession” in Webster’s: In a Newsweek article (April 14, sional; it is the money that makes the a calling requiring specialized 1997), George Will points out that much-maligned major league umpires knowledge and often long and “Alomar has repeatedly apologized for professionals, too. intensive preparation including that inexcusable act . ” Will says instruction in skills and methods as there was a bad call by the umpire, and well as in the scientific, historical, the umpire threw Alomar out of the At some point, you may or scholarly principles underlying game for saying, “Just play!” Alomar be challenged to decide such skills and methods, maintain- “went ballistic” and the umpire called ing by force of organization or him a derogatory name. Nevertheless, just what kind of concerted opinion high standards I doubt if anyone would condone professional you are. of achievement and conduct, and Alomar’s response as professional. committing its members to contin- Will goes on to say that baseball’s ued study and to a kind of work biggest problem on the field is “the Now, what does all of this have to do which has for its prime purpose incompetence, confrontational surli- with the SOA’s concept of professional- the rendering of a public service. ness, and premeditated misbehavior of ism? At a Fellowship Admission Course In its Mission and Vision Statement, some umpires . Part of the problem (FAC), I asked how many people knew the SOA defines itself as a professional may be resentment arising from the the motto of the SOA. Very few hands organization and lists serving the public widening disparities of players’ and went up, and one group even erupted ahead of serving SOA members. umpires’ incomes. Another part is the in laughter. A soon-to-be-new Fellow It would be naive to think that declining professionalism of some play- had said that our motto was: “Show me economic concerns don’t matter; ers — arrogance, disrespect for the the money.” This phrase is taken from often the definition of professional game, and an inclination to blame their Jerry Maguire, a movie about an agent in financial terms can coexist with failures on umpires.” for professional athletes, and it is the the principled definition. However, In contrast, Will says Alomar has an mantra that Jerry’s only client used at some point in your career, you may “unembarrassed love” for baseball. to describe what he expected out of be challenged to decide just what kind Though Alomar makes $6 million a year professional sports. Although I accept of professional you are. Your mettle, as with the Orioles, he plays winter ball in that the remark at the FAC was made in well as the true essence of the actuarial Puerto Rico for pocket change. He jest, I am forced to acknowledge its profession, will be defined by your quotes Alomar as saying, “This is what element of truth. Even so, the SOA response to such a situation. God chose me to do. He sent me here would like to inspire in its members a Dave Holland can be reached by e-mail to play baseball.” higher ideal. at [email protected]..

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