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What can you do with a degree in mathematics? | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)
[new] Career paths (none / 0) (#3)
by overconvergent on Fri Jan 23, 2004 at 12:02:22 PM PDT

One of my advisor's students is now working at one of the Really Big accountancy firms; another is temping, and I have a postdoc at a research university.

We're his first three students, so I claim we have a fairly broad spread of career paths.



[new] SIAM Handout (none / 0) (#4)
by jvano on Fri Jan 23, 2004 at 04:06:57 PM PDT

At the panel, the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (aka SIAM) had a booklet on careers in applied mathematics (which is also avaliable on their webpage).



[new] Examples of the most "far out" jobs (none / 0) (#5)
by jvano on Fri Jan 23, 2004 at 04:08:50 PM PDT

Q: What are examples of the most "far out" jobs for mathematicians?

A: (Andrew Sterrett) Banks, lawyers, etc...



[new] Where do you look for these jobs? (none / 0) (#6)
by jvano on Fri Jan 23, 2004 at 04:10:42 PM PDT

Q: Where do you go to look for these jobs?

A: (Patrick Mccray) Probably not in the newspaper. Network at places like Joint Meetings.

A: (Andrew Sterrett) Most companies don't know they need Mathematicians so look closely at job description to decide if you can fit the job descirption whether they are looking for a math major or not, also when companies have campus interviews.

Comment From Audience: The National Security Agency (NSA) hires greatest number of Mathematicians.



[new] my situation (none / 0) (#12)
by Anonymous Hero on Sun Jul 10, 2005 at 10:16:38 AM PDT

I will be beginning my second year of law school this upcoming fall and have been doing some serious thinking about getting a PhD in mathematics. My background in math is relatively weak considering that I am wanting to do a PhD (I have a minor). However, what separates me from the next guy is that I have a fairly strong aptitude for math. The natural question is of course, why do I want to do this. Well, I've always enjoyed mathematics and have felt bad that I decided to major in business as an undergrad rather than something challenging like math. Mathematics is the key to understanding things in our world; it is perhaps the backbone to other sciences. I like solving problems and thinking about difficult issues. After having studied law for one year I've begun to realize that it is often very arbitrary and lacks the element of "discovery" that is a characteristic of fields like math. Law doesn't seem to "quench the soul" like mathematics does. Don't get me wrong, I think law is interesting and plan on completing the degree, but I don't see myself being an attorney my whole life. I believe mathematics will afford me the opportunity to branch out in other areas (like economics, finance, etc...). I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts, advice, suggestions, or comments about my situation. I am in need of some guidance. Thank you.


[new] Interesting (none / 0) (#13)
by Rob H on Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 02:38:24 AM PDT

This sounds like it was a really interesting panel. I would especially have liked to listen to Patrick McCray myself. It's interesting to read about all the opportunities. I haven't thought of even half of them before.
Rob, Programmer currently working on the breast enlargement project.


What can you do with a degree in mathematics? | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)

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