Students with a mathematical degree have a variety of career options open in front of them. If they want to pursue higher studies, they can go up the ladder otherwise, they can opt for a desired career after completing their graduation.
Before we talk about the different prospects of building a career after graduating in mathematics, let us first consider some general points which I insistshould be kept in mind when a student is choosing a career path.
- Selection of core subjects in the course:
There should be a balance of courses. The course subjects should be selected keeping the career choice in mind. Even if the student has chosen up a mathematical or a statistical subject, some other applied course subject should be studied side by side with it so that the option of going into the academic as well as the non-academic field remains open.
- Computer skills:
Knowledge of only mathematics or statistics is not enough. Nowadays, in every area of work, computer knowledge is a must. If we look at the picture from a close angle, we can see that mathematics and statistics deal with that branch where computation is carried out. Therefore in the chosen career field, knowledge of computers will indeed play a major role. Students should have enough exposure to computers. It will be good if the student pursues a computer science or information technology course alongside his main course.
- Interpersonal skills:
Mathematics and statistics are technical subjects. Their usefulness in the career field will depend how the mathematics graduate will be able to combine his mathematical skills with his interpersonal skills. An employer searches in his employee’s basic communication and leadership skills along with the technical skills. The student needs to understand that a good performance in the work field is possible only when he can build a rapport with his colleagues and communicate his ideas effectively.
- Addition of a coherent subject:
A basic knowledge in a field which is closely relatedto mathematics is a must. This will help the student in entering into such a career field which merges mathematical technicalities with another field. Examples are computer science, finance, and economics.
- Internships and training:
Having undergone an internship or training in the relevant field is like an icing on the cake when you are looking for a job. Employers perceive it as a plus point because the student has already seen the actual working environment and are ready to shoulder responsibilities.
Having talked about the recommendations, let us now focus our discussion on the career options available:
- Teaching at an elementary or secondary school level: There are a lot of job opportunities when you are looking for a teaching job at elementary and secondary school level. What you need to do is, after your graduation, undergo a teacher’s training. But, there are some schools which also recruit teachers even if they don’t have a teacher’s training certificate. For that, you need to ace the interview. These teaching jobs provide a reasonable pay and are the ideal career option for you if you are passionate about teaching.
- Getting a master and being a university professor: For being a mathematics professor in a university, a post-graduation degree is a must.
- Entering Research field: After completing his post-graduation, if a student wants to enter the research field, he can choose from a large number of options like functional analysis, differential equations, numerical analysis, scientific computing, computational acoustics and topology, and geometry. Getting a Ph.D. in the chosen field broadens one’s scope in the mathematical sector.
- Actuarial science: If you have a flair for mathematical logic and have knowledge of business and economics, then actuarial science is the ideal career option for you. Actuaries merge their knowledge of probability theory and investing theory and provide strategic and financial advice to firms against risks.
- Data Science: Data science is the amalgamation of data inference and formation of algorithm to solve analytical problems. Being a mathematical graduate, if you love playing with statistics, and have knowledge of programming and designing, you can opt for a career in data science. Data scientists conduct research and analyze the data based on the research. This data is provided to the companies to study the business growth and trends.
- Business and management: If you have a degree in mathematics and have core business knowledge, you can build your career in the field of business economics, marketing and advertising or human resources.
- Statistical firm: The statistical firms use the concepts of mathematical statistics in a practical way. The application of statistics is in the field of surveys of firms, industries and also in the field of technology, science, and medicine.
Students with a mathematical degree can achieve a desired career of their choice, given; they do a thorough research and make sure that that the job role goes hand-in-hand with what they want to achieve in their life.