What Can I Do With A Major In Mathematics? Compiled by the staff at the SUNY Oneonta Career Development Center Introduction Mathematics is one of the oldest and most fundamental sciences. Mathematical training allows one to use mathematical theory, computational techniques, algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve problems. Upon graduating with a bachelor s degree in mathematics, the student is qualified for a broad range of positions with a high salary in government, industry, business and education. Functional Skill Set for Math Majors: Problem solving Logical thinking Systemizing skills Team skills Testing skills Critical thinking Organizational skills Computer literacy Efficiency Numerical computation Advanced quantitative skills Ability to analyze & interpret data Communication skills Modeling and simulation SIAM report, expertise in both programming and numerical analysis is essential.
Related Career Titles for Math Majors: Accountant Actuary/Actuarial Trainee Aerospace Engineer Air Traffic Controller Applications Applied Science Technologist Artificial Intelligence Programmer Astronomer Auditor Banking/Credit/Investment Mgr. Biometrician/Biostatistician Cartographer Commodity Manager Compensation/Benefits Admin Computer Applications Specialist Computer Consultant Computer Engineer Computer Facilities Mgr. Computer Installation Computer Marketing/Sales Rep Computer Programmer Computer-Aided Design Tech. Consultant Consumer Loan/Credit Officer Contract Administrator Cost Estimator/Analyst Cryptographer/Cryptologist Data Analyst Data Base Manager Data Control Administrator Data Processing Manager Demographer Econometrician Economist EDP Auditor Efficiency Engineer Employee Relations Specialist Engineer Engineering Lab Technician Environmental Technologist Estate Planner
External Auditor Financial Auditor Financial Consultant Financial Manager Fiscal Analyst Hydro Geologist Hydrologist Information Scientist Information Systems Analyst Insurance Underwriter Inventory Control Specialist Investment Banker ISO 2000 Specialist Management, Accounting Manager, Electronic Data Processing Market Research Analyst Mathematician Media Buyer Meteorologist Mortgage Researcher Museum Technician Network Programmer Numerical Analyst Operations Research Analyst Physicist Pollution Meteorologist Production Manager Production Support Specialist Programmer Programmer, Business Applications Programmer, Technical Programmer, Trainee Psychometrician Public Accountant Public Health Statistician Purchasing/Contract Agent Quality Assurance Analyst Rate Analyst Real Estate Appraiser\Securities Analyst Regulatory Analyst Research Analyst Risk & Insurance Specialist Risk Analyst
Robotics Programmer Sales Representative Satellite Communications Specialist Software Development Specialist Software Engineer Software Support Specialist Specialist Statistical Research Assistant Statistician, Applied Statistician, Business & Economics Statistician, Financial Statistician, Mathematical Statistician, Opinion Polling Statistician, Physical Science & Engineering Statistician, Social Science Statistician, Vital Supervisor, Publications Surveyor Systems Analyst, Electronic Data Processing Systems Analyst, Scientific Systems Programmer Teacher, Mathematics/Science/Computer Technical Support Representative Technical Writer Translator, Scientific Documents Transportation Planner Treasury Management Underwriter Urban Planner Value Engineer Weight Analyst Writer, Technical Some Organizations that Typically Employ Math Majors: Government (Federal, state) Research Firm Testing Services Security & Commodity Exchange Advertisement /Public Relations Firm Insurance Company Public Utilities
Management Services Consulting Firm Computer Industry Public/Private Schools Colleges/Universities Manufacturing Firm Market Research Firm Brokerage Firm Pharmaceutical Industry Investment Firm Corporate Finance Retailing Banks Engineering Firms Technical Journals Actuarial Firms Financial Institutions Private Industry Engineering Firms Real Estate Software Companies Start a Strategic Plan: Plan on acquiring an MBA. Get sales experience. Join finance related student organizations. Find a summer internship in a bank. Develop good interpersonal skills. Work as cashier or teller. Become financial officer or treasurer of campus organization. Need certification for public schools. Volunteer for Big Brother/Sister program, tutoring, child care centers, churches, and teen counseling. Work in summer camps. Become involved in school programs: yearbook, debate, newspaper, government. Acquire a master s degree. Acquire a Ph.D. Develop good people and communication skills. Acquire programming experience. Stay current with new developments. Get experience with public speaking and teaching. Learn to develop curriculums. Master technical writing skills.
Acquire a graduate degree in area of interest. Become treasurer of an organization. Obtain experience in fund-raising drives. Join a professional association as a student member. Acquire a business minor. Volunteer to assist a professor with research. Become a student member of American Marketing Association. Assist with canvassing/phone interviewing for charities or political campaigns. Note that greatest demand is for applied mathematics with skills in computer science, electronics design and theory, statistics and probability. Gain experience working in teams. Develop good oral and written communication skills. Earn a master s degree in business or related field for more advanced positions. Become familiar with government hiring procedures. Make contacts through involvement in campus, local, or state politics. Develop computer and research skills. Learn to use relevant software packages. Plan for graduate degree in area of interest. Gain knowledge of computer languages. Get exposure to large-scale hardware or mini/micro systems. Develop ability to listen to what customer wants. Professional Organizations and Associations for Math Majors: Association for Women in Mathematics 4114 Computer and Space Sciences Bldg. University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-2461 http://www.awm-math.org/ National Council of Teacher of Mathematics 1906 Association Dr. Reston, VA 20191-1593 http://www.nctm.org Mathematical Association of America 1529 18 th Street, NW, Suite 600 Washington DC 20036 http://www.maa.org Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics 3600 University City Science Center Philadelphia, PA 19104-2688 Revised 12-7-10
AREAS MATHEMATICS What can I do with this major? EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES INDUSTRY Research Development Design Data Processing Testing Operations Quality Control Statistical Processing Control Environmental Analysis Consulting Industries including: Manufacturing Transportation Aerospace Communications Machinery Electrical equipment Pharmaceuticals Other private industries Consulting firms Note that greatest demand is for applied mathematicians with skills in computer science, electronics design and theory, statistics and probability. Develop computer and research skills. Learn to use relevant software packages. Earn a master's degree in math, business, or related field for advanced positions or for consulting jobs. Maintain excellent G.P.A. for graduate/professional school admission. Gain relevant experience through internships, volunteering, summer, or part-time jobs. Develop good oral and written communication skills. Learn to work well in teams. GOVERNMENT Research Administration Federal agencies including Defense, Labor, Justice, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Commerce, Treasury, NASA, and Library of Congress State agencies involving research and problemsolving teams Become familiar with government hiring procedures. Make contacts through involvement in campus, local, or state politics. Obtain internship with local, state, or federal government. Join related professional organizations. Maintain a high grade point average. MARKET RESEARCH Data Collection Information Analysis Market research firms Consumer goods manufacturing firms Develop good oral and written communication skills. Acquire a business minor. Volunteer to assist a professor with research. Become a student member of the American Marketing Association. Assist with canvassing/phone interviewing for charities or political campaigns. Complete a market research internship.
(Math, Page 2) AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES COMPUTERS Programming Systems Applications Systems Analysis Data Processing Information Systems Software Development Networking Hardware Training Computer hardware and software firms Service companies Manufacturing firms Government (federal, state, and local) Financial institutions Wholesale and retail trade firms Custom software builders Service companies Specialized training organizations Educational publishers Consulting firms Develop advanced computer skills. Gain knowledge of computer languages and programming. Take classes and earn relevant certifications. Gain relevant experience through internships, parttime, or summer jobs. Learn effective listening and verbal communication skills. Stay abreast of the latest developments in computer technology. Develop good interpersonal and communication skills. Obtain experience with public speaking/teaching and learn to develop curriculums for training positions. Master technical writing skills. Some areas may require a graduate degree. INSURANCE Actuarial Underwriting Claims Risk Management Sales Insurance firms Develop strong computer skills. Acquire a business minor or take supplemental courses in business or statistics. Become the treasurer of an organization. Obtain experience in fundraising drives. Join a related professional association. Gain relevant experience through internships. Become familiar with exams and/or certifications required for actuarial positions. SECURITIES Sales Research Operations National and regional brokerage firms Discount brokerage houses Commercial banks Financial organizations Obtain a business minor or supplement curriculum with courses in finance and/or economics. Plan on acquiring an MBA. Gain relevant experience through part-time or summer sales positions. Complete an internship with a related organization. Join finance-related student organizations. Be geographically flexible when job searching.
(Math, Page 3) AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES BANKING Branch Management Credit Lending Operations Systems Trusts Commercial banks Regional banks Savings and loan associations Credit unions Complete an internship in a financial institution. Develop good interpersonal skills. Obtain a business minor. Develop excellent computer skills. Demonstrate attention to detail. Become the financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization. EDUCATION Public schools Private schools Colleges and universities Obtain appropriate state licensure and/or certification for public school teaching positions. Volunteer to teach, supervise, or tutor with organizations such as Big Brother/Sister, YMCA, or churches. Develop excellent written and oral communication skills. Acquire a master's degree or Ph.D.for teaching positions at the college or university level. GENERAL INFORMATION Math majors develop transferable skills including critical thinking, problem diagnosis and solving, computer skills, and quantitative skills. A bachelor s degree is often sufficient for entry-level positions, but an advanced degree may open the door to more upper-level opportunities. Pair a strong background in mathematics with another technical discipline such as computer science or engineering. Gain experience through volunteering, internships, and part-time or summer jobs. Develop competencies in a specific area of interest. Supplement curriculum with courses in business, economics, computers, or statistics for increased job opportunities. Maintain a high grade point average. Demonstrate attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Build relationships with faculty for career information, contacts, and letters of recommendation. Join related student professional associations and seek leadership positions. Develop the ability to work well in teams. Conduct informational interviews with professionals in areas of interest to enhance knowledge and make contacts. Stay informed of new developments and current trends in the field. 1992 The University of Tennessee Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1992, Revised 1999, 2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer