Math

A degree in Math can lead to a variety of careers. The study of concepts and theories to help solve quantitative problems exists in many areas.

Before you begin to look at the different types of opportunities available to Math majors, you must look at yourself and ask yourself a few basic questions:

Understand your major strengths, skills and accomplishments. Some examples of skills and qualities employers look for are:

Numerical ability
Analytical
Problem solving
Attention to detail
Computer proficiency
Logical thinking
Oral & written communication
Quantitative concepts

Examine your interests. What kind of life style do I want to lead? Examine your values...is money what you're after, job security, challenging work?

If you are having trouble answering these questions, you are not alone. Make an appointment with an advisor in the Career Center. We want to help you!

Once you know yourself, you are ready to decide where and how you want to apply this knowledge.

A bachelor's degree in Math and the appropriate skills and/or experience can lead to positions as a/an:

Statistician
Economist
Systems analyst
Actuary
Fund raiser
Applied mathematician
Trader of securities
Stockbroker
Teacher, secondary education
Underwriter
Operations research analyst
Computer programmer/analyst
Mortgage officer
Credit counselor
Buyer trainee
Purchasing agent
Insurance salesperson

Experience in the field or an advanced degree could lead to certain positions in:

Institutional research
College teaching
Management
Tax law
Credit management
Senior systems analysis

For information on graduate schools, consult Peterson's.

Typical places of employment are:

Banks
Corporations
Colleges and universities
Public and private schools
Engineering firms
Government agencies
Insurance companies
Investment firms
Research and development firms
Weather bureaus
Security/ brokerage firms
Hospitals
Telephone communication firms

To help you decide which area to pursue you must do in-depth research into each area of specialization and/or industry you have an interest in.

Join the Career Centers COACH Program

The Occupational Outlook Handbook

Talk to people in the field, talk to your professors, write to and/or join one of the following associations:

American Mathematical Society PO Box 6248, Providence, RI 02940 (800) 321 - 4AMS www.ams.org

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1906 Association Drive Rislon, VA 22091 (703) 620 - 9840 www.nctm.org

American Statistical Association 1429 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 684 - 1221 www.amstat.org

Society of Actuaries 475 N. Martingale Road, Suite 800 Schaumburg, IL 60173-2226 (847) 706 - 3500 www.soa.org

Mathematical Association of America PO Box 91112 Washington, DC 20090 (800) 331 - 1622 www.maa.org

Association for Women in Mathematics www.awm-math.org

For additional lists of Associations consult the Encyclopedia of Associations.

Chronicle of Higher Education
Wall Street Journal

Visit these sites for more information about careers in Math:

www.coolmath.com/careers
math.usask.ca