Careers In Mathematics

Prepared by Dr. Kevin Hopkins in January 2002
Chair, Mathematics Department
Southwest Baptist University
email: khopkins@sbuniv.edu
website: http://www.sbuniv.edu/~khopkins
this talk: http://www.sbuniv.edu/~khopkins/mathdo.htm

What can you do
with a Math Major?

Many resources in print
The ones I list are the ones that I used in preparing this talk

Great Jobs for Math Majors

"Mathematics is a vast field, populated with thousands of job titles you have never heard before." p. 45.
"Applications, problem solving, and reasoning are some of the elements that bind most math jobs." p. xii.
Communication to relate the results of using these skills to people who want answers to their problems, but lack these skills to solve the problems.

101 Careers in Mathematics

Essays from 101 people using their math in different ways.
"Most of the writers in this volume use the mathematical sciences on a daily basis in their work; others rely on the general problem-solving skills acquired in their mathematics courses as they deal with complex issues." p. 1

Two Major Themes

These authors liked math so studied it, even when they were not sure what they would do with it for a career.
They found a satisfying career, made possible by their math skills.

"I chose a degree in mathematics for two reasons: I was good at it, and I enjoyed it. I figured that was all I needed to find a job which was both challenging and fun. Although I wasn’t aware of the multitude of career opportunities at the time, I knew that the sound logic skills one hones while obtaining a degree in math would be useful in doing just about anything. How can you go wrong learning skills that can be applied to any type of problem in any job?"
"I thoroughly enjoy the career I’ve chosen, and I have no question that I wouldn’t be here if I had not started my training with a degree in mathematics." p. 140"
My training in mathematics provided me with the invaluable ability to apply logic, reason, and careful quantitative, as well as qualitative, analysis to my work. These thought processes along with good written and oral communications skills are desirable and applicable to almost any field."
"Remember--a calculating mind is a good mind!" p.21
"Studying mathematics gives you the tools to analyze problems and think logically, which helps in whatever profession you choose. People have great respect for a degree in mathematics." p.195

She Does Math

Essays from women about how they use their math training.
"In today’s competitive world, a good education is a necessity. By combining that education with a strong background in math and logic, you are ready for any career." p. vii
"One of the most important things a technical education can do is teach students how to learn what they will need to know when they change from one field to another." p. 106

Mathematical Scientists at Work

Essays from 20 people about their jobs.
"Mathematicians have the best jobs! Mathematicians have virtually an unlimited number of career opportunities!" p. 1

Marketable Math Skills

The SIAM Report on Mathematics in Industry ( http://www.siam.org/miirep.htm ) found that the most important traits of nonacademic mathematicians are
Problem solving: Skill in formulating, modeling, and solving problems from diverse and changing areas
Flexibility: Interest in, knowledge of, and flexibility across applications
Computation: Knowledge of and experience with computation
Communication: Communication skills, spoken and written
Teamwork: Adeptness at working with colleagues

Mathematical Moments

The Mathematical Moments program promotes appreciation and understanding of the role mathematics plays in science, nature, technology, and human culture.
One page brochures on applications of math
http://www.ams.org/ams/mathmoments.html

Math Awareness Month

http://mathforum.org/mam/activities/

What Can I Do with a Major In …? How to Choose and Use Your College Major
The Occupational Thesaurus. What Can I do with a Major in …?
Dictionary of Occupational Titles
Occupational Outlook Handbook

On-line book reviews to see how math relates to other fields

http://www.maa.org/reviews/reviews.html

Resources as computer programs

SIGI
DISCOVER

Many resources on-line
math vignettes at

professional societies have information on their particular occupation

I used most of these to put this talk together

Let’s Get Down to Specific Jobs

http://money.cnn.com/2000/11/10/career/q_degreemath/

Jobs Rated Almanac

Rates 250 careers according to the following criteria:

Income
Outlook
Physical Demands
Security
Stress
Work Environment

Was a good place to start listing some math related jobs

The Job You Know Best

Teacher-#164
College Professor-#116

On the Middle School and Secondary Level there is a critical shortage of math teachers

http://www.teachmathmissouri.org

There is such a shortage, that some federal student loans may be forgiven, for more details see

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/repayment/teachers/

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

http://www.nctm.org

Actuary-#2

Work for insurance companies
Assemble and analyze statistics to calculate probabilities of death, sickness, injury, etc. (the things people buy insurance for).
"One of the positive aspects of an actuarial career is that personal development is determined more by performance than by external factors." p.25-"101 Careers in Mathematics"
http://BeAnActuary.org/
Casualty Actuarial Society

http://www.casact.org/

Society of Actuaries

http://www.soa.org/

American Academy of Actuaries

Mathematician-#5

Theoretical-Advance mathematical science by developing new principles and new relationships between existing principles. No specific practical use in mind
Applied-Use mathematical models to solve practical problems in other fields.
Professional societies are a good place to learn more

Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics:

American Mathematical Society

Mathematical Association of America

http://www.maa.org/

Association for Women in Mathematics

Cryptologist

Design schemes to transmit secret information-cryptography
Analyze schemes to transmit secret information-cryptanalysis
National Security Agency is top employer

http://www.nsa.gov/

Data Encryption is also a hot field
International Association for Cryptologic Research

http://www.iacr.org/

Statistician-#32

Design, implement, and interpret the numerical results of surveys and experiments (in new medicines, in psychology, in business, etc.).
American Statistical Association

http://www.statistics.com/content/jobtips.html

Operations Research

Help organizations coordinate and operate in the most efficient manner by applying mathematical principles to organizational problems.
Model complex systems and optimize their design.
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences

http://www.informs.org/Edu/Career/booklet.html

Engineering

#8-Industrial Engineer
36-Nuclear Engineer
45-Mechanical Engineer
52-Aerospace Engineer
54-Electrical Engineer
66-Petroleum Engineer
70-Civil Engineer

Engineering

Solve problems of construction, design, safety related to the particular area
Applies mathematics to these solutions
"Find accurate solutions to real-world, complex problems." p.92-"101 Careers in Mathematics
Junior Engineering Technical Society-

list of organizational sponsors is a good list of engineering organizations: http://www.jets.org/sponsors/index.cfm
on-line publications about various engineering fields: http://www.jets.org/pubs.htm

http://stats.bls.gov/k12/html/mat_001.htm

Computer Related

#1-Web site manager
3-Computer System analyst
4-Software Engineer
6-Computer Programmer
10-Web developer
81-Computer consultant

Look for ways to use the computer more efficiently (more than just sitting at a computer all day programming it).
"Software engineering is not just about writing computer programs. Most of the time some pretty fancy mathematics makes up the core of the computer program, and so people with degrees in mathematics are often sought after by software companies." P. 27 "101 Careers in Mathematics"
"Each new application of computers and each technological advance in their design brings a new set of associated mathematical problems." p. 14 "Mathematical Scientists at Work"
"Working in software development, it was easy to see how my education in computer science would apply to my daily work…Within my first six months, it became apparent that what I learned in the realm of mathematics might even be more important than what I learned in computer science."
"But what I found most useful about my mathematics training was not simply the facts I learned. Rather, it was that it taught me how to learn."
"My mathematics background has provided an analytical framework in which to make informed, thoughtful decisions." p. 13 "101 Careers in Mathematics"
Many companies looking for some experience in programming, not necessarily a complete computer science major
Association for Computing Machinery

Numerical Analyst

Model complicated physical experiments
The experiment is usually so complicated it can not be performed without great expense or risk
Once modeled, it is easier to change a part and see the effect that has
Develop the best mathematical methods and algorithms to solve the complicated models

Sciences and Math

#13-Meteorologist
19-Astronomer
23-Biologist
42-Physicist
57-Geologist
62-Oceanographer
64-Chemist
91-Zoologist
180-Astronaut
BioMathematics or BioStatistics
Psychology and Mathematics

The analytical thought processes of mathematics can be good preparations for other careers.
Mathematics teaches one to be precise, which is useful in other disciplines.
Many sciences deal with large amounts of data which mathematics can help handle.
"I found that doing well in mathematics opened the doors to the very best medical schools." p. 11- "Mathematical Scientists at Work"
"For centuries, mathematics has been applied to many different scientific fields." p. 28-"101 Careers in Mathematics"
"A mathematics major who is familiar with physical sciences is as good as, if not better than, an engineer, physicist, or astronomer who is familiar with mathematics." p. 30-31-"101 Careers in Mathematics"
"The basis for nearly all science is mathematics, and as such it provides a platform for an extremely wide variety of career options." p. 37-"101 Careers in Mathematics"

Business Related

#7-Accountant
17-Financial Planner
24-Insurance Underwriter
50-Economist
69-Tax examiner/collector
71-Market research analyst
124-Stockbroker

Business Related

Solve problems in a business setting
One lawyer who first studied math said,

"I did well at one of the nation’s best law schools. I attribute much of my academic success to having learned, through the study of mathematics, how to analyze complicated principles."
"I have found that those who have studied mathematics can approach and master both the legal principles and their effect in a way which most others cannot. "p. 25-"Mathematical Scientists at Work"

http://www.careers-in-business.com/
"Pursuing an education in mathematics can provide one with a wide variety of choices in business careers." p. 28-"101 Careers in Mathematics"
"Virtually all specialized fields in economics require a strong foundation in mathematics." p. 106-"101 Careers in Mathematics"

Communicating

#14-Technical Writer
49-Publication Editor
Write about their topic (mathematics is one possible topic) to people who need to learn about the topic
http://www.technicalwriterjobs.com/
Society for Technical Communication

http://www.stc.org/index.html

Council of Science Editors

http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/

Art

Job Search Sites

Internships

A good way to get a feel for a field after a couple years of studying math in college.

Job Choices in Science, Engineering, & Technology 2002-lists many summer internships in technical fields as well as ideas about the types of scientific jobs that exist

Two Major Themes

I would recommend that if you like math then study it-even when you are not sure what you would do with it for a career.
As the many author’s in the career essays, I think you will find a satisfying career, made possible by your math skills.

Why study math at SBU?

3 main reasons
All flow out of the SBU mission statement
"Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered, caring academic community preparing students to be servant leaders in a global society."

You will receive a quality Christ-centered education provided by Christian professors whose main job is to teach students. This is in contrast to many other institutions where you may have professors who are more interested in their own research or graduate teaching assistants who are more interested in their own degree.

You will receive instruction in small classes which allow for more interaction with other students and the professor. The professor can be more caring in this type of community than at most other universities.

Employers are looking for employees who are prepared to be servant leaders in a global society. Most universities do not emphasize a Christ-centered education and being a servant, but employers recognize the value of having an employee who sees the proper relation of his/her work, the proper relation to others, and how his/her relation to God impacts the quality of the employee's work.

http://www.jobweb.com/joboutlook/outlook2.htm gives top 20 qualities employers seek
All of the top 10 go with a math major

1: Communication Skills, 7: Analytical Skills, 8: Flexibility/ Adaptability, 9: Computer Skills, 10: Organizational Skills

OR directly relate to the mission of SBU

2: Honesty/Integrity, 3: Teamwork skills, 4: Interpersonal Skills

OR both

5: Motivation/initiative, 6: Strong Work Ethic

I hope you’ve learned something about the options studying mathematics opens up
For more information on math at SBU, check out the math department website

http://www.sbuniv.edu/~khopkins/

Handouts of this talk are at

http://www.sbuniv.edu/~khopkins/mathdo.htm

The websites I referenced are links there so you can research more