Actuaries are among the upper ecehelons of Bermuda earners. Their high level of mathematical skills makes them a prized asset for insurance companies. Bermudian Sharika Tucci became an actuary, but opted to go into real estate. She told The Royal Gazette the reasons why.

Who would spend four years studying to become an actuary, get a job with a promising future at one of the biggest insurance companies on the island - only to decide to give it all up for a career in real estate? Sharika Tucci, a junior appraiser and property manager at Coldwell Banker did exactly that. "Follow your passion" is Ms Tucci's advice. "If you spend all day at work you have to love it," exclaimed the determined Bermudian.

Ms Tucci who was born and raised in Paget earned a degree in Actuarial Science at the College of Insurance in Manhattan. "I find New York fascinating. I love art and music. There is always something to do in New York. Even as a student on a tight budget there is access to concerts and performances," explained Ms Tucci, who herself played the piano and the violin at school.

Upon her return to her native Bermuda the elegant actuary got a job with XL Capital. It seemed like a perfect career path for a young Bermudian. "But a future in the insurance industry never felt right for me," said Ms Tucci.

"I was always interested in architecture. Then I got to know Brian Madeiros, the CEO of Coldwell Banker, and Paul Matthews who is now my manager. That's when I began to think seriously about a career change. Although Mr. Madeiros thought I would do a good job at Coldwell Banker he could not understand why I would want to leave a job with great opportunities at XL. It just didn't make sense to him."

After a year of deliberating and discussing the possibilities of working for Coldwell Banker Ms Tucci finally decided to make the move. "At first my family was shocked. But they have been very supportive," explained Ms Tucci from her office in Par-la-Ville road. "To me the move from working as an actuary to becoming an appraiser was natural. Appraising is similar in many ways to being an actuary. Both jobs require mathematical and analytical skills.

"The main purpose of my job as an appraiser is to help lending institutes make lending decisions, for example when granting mortgages," Ms Tucci said.

"Most property owners are very interested when I come to appraise their home. But there are times when they are not happy with an evaluation. The emotions and the financial interest in the property can sometimes cause problems, but once I've explained the process and how I arrived at a certain property value most clients are happy.

"The most important component in determining the value of a property is the famous location, location, location. But the size of the property, the condition of the property, the quality of the fixtures and any other amenities like a swimming pool or a dock are important factors. But the location is always the most important aspect.

"My favourite part of my job is the appraisal. I like the problem solving side to it.

"But I have a dual role at Coldwell Banker. As well as working as a junior appraiser I am also a property manager, which is a very varied job where I look after condominium developments."

Ms Tucci's responsibilities involve administration like billing and budgeting. "But I never know what is going to happen on any given day. Something breaks, there is a problem with the plumbing, sometimes there is flooding. Suddenly I have to drop everything I have planned to do at the office to look after an emergency.

"I am on call 24 hours a day. There have been times when I have had to leave family occasions like birthday parties, weddings and funerals because I am called out. The job is unpredictable.

"My favorite aspect of the property manager role is to plan and manage capital projects which can cover anything from renovations to building parking lots," continued Ms Tucci.

"I love so many different aspects of my job, " she explained. "I am always out and about. I travel from one end of the island to the other. I get to see all kinds of different properties. From luxurious mansions to simple cottages as well as the people who live in them.

"The best part of my job is the flexibility. I am never stuck behind a desk in this job. But the unpredictability means I cannot plan my day, and I have to be available 24 hours a day."

The job is not for the faint hearted. "I have had many strange experiences. I have come across naked people, been bitten by a dog and once even fell into a hole." None of this seems to impair Ms Tucci's enthusiasm for her work.

"The real estate industry is provides an excellent opportunity for young Bermudians. It is a great field to be in for someone who wants to get involved in many different disciplines such as property law, map reading, economics, history and mathematics," she said. "I think a lot of Bermudians are not aware of the possibilities involved in working in the real estate business."

Five years after leaving XL the move makes even more sense."The economic situation today is very scary. My old department at XL does not even exist anymore."

Ms Tucci is clearly a woman of huge determination, capacity and ability. On top of her demanding profession she is married with two young daughters. In addition to that she is studying to earn her Appraiser's Designation through the Appraiser's Institute of Canada. "It is interesting but challenging with all my other commitments. Luckily both my family and Coldwell Banker are very supportive," she explained.

There is not much time for leisure in the life of this multi-talanted and focused woman. "My family is my hobby. But I am also involved with my church, The Cobb's Hill Gospel Chapel," added Ms Tucci. "I am involved with the Sunday school, the youth group and the music. I sing in the praise team which involves weekly practice," she explained enthusiastically.

Ms Tucci said her first hand knowledge of the property market has come in handy when buying a home in Bermuda.

"My husband and I have purchased properties three times since I joined Coldwell Banker," she said. They purchased their present home last summer. "The space is handy now my oldest daughter has taken up playing the baritone," joked Ms Tucci.