It is a good idea to look at the SOA exam syllabus and the CAS exam syllabus to see which syllabus material seems more interesting to you. Because the actuarial profession is so versatile, there are many other positions for which actuaries are good candidates. Many actuaries work for state governments in a regulatory role. These actuaries often watch over the work of the insurance actuaries to make sure that insurance rates are not too high. The recent risk assessment craze in Washington D.C. has provided many experienced actuaries with the opportunity to perform cost-benefit analyses on both existing and proposed regulations.
Some actuaries also find their way into investment banking, underwriting, or education.