Good news for Math Majors
"Mathematician", "statistician", "actuary", and "operations research analyst"
consistently appear at the top of the list for best careers,
and majoring in Mathematics can set you up for
pursuing these and other desirable careers.
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Data Science
Actuarial Science
Operations Research
Finance
Computer Science
Teaching
Business: Quantitative Analysis
Industry: Cost/risk analysis, R and D
Government: Cost/risk analysis, modeling
Academia: Research and teaching
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...but there's a catch!
You cannot simply pass the required courses and then expect to be handed one of these jobs!
What more do you need? It depends on the career,
but a good default combo is to complete all of the following:
- Major in Math.
- Learn to program (Python, C++, or Java are popular, but the important thing is to be able to read and write code in at least one programming language).
- Get a good internship (or otherwise showcase expertise in the form of large-scale project like an REU or senior thesis
that will lead to good letters of recommendation).
- Minor in something that is both practical and interesting to you,
(e.g., computer science, statistics, chemistry, physics, economics, business).
- Hone your writing and communication skills.
Getting an internship will probably require that you are already on track with the other items,
and getting a good internship can be competitive.
During the first FAU Math Club meeting of the Fall 2015, Math Club treasurer Adam Chen
gave an excellent talk about his experience getting internships as a Math Major.
Here are slides from Adam's talk.
Here are some examples of what a Math Major might do to get started on various career paths:
(In each of these scenarios, a major in Math is assumed.
Also, these are just to give a rough idea.
If you are interested in one of these, you will want to look into it more thoroughly.)
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Data Science: Some consider "data scientist"
to be a buzz word for "statistician",
but the modern demands for data analysis
are tilted toward a skill set
that includes not only statistical programming in
Python or R, but also knowledge of
managing (say with SQL)
and reducing the size and dimensionality of
"big data" (large data sets and/or
high-dimensional data),
as well as a broad range of knowledge in
statistical methods, mathematical modeling,
and machine learning.
I recommend a minor (or double major) in Statistics,
take a course in machine learning,
and look for project-oriented
courses in Statistics or mathematical modeling.
A Master's degree or even Ph.D can be useful,
and getting an internship before graduating
would provide an important advantage--and
might lead to landing a good
job right out of graduation.
Actuarial Science: Consider to minor (or double major) in Statistics. Pass an actuarial exam and get an internship.
Passing a second exam before applying is extremely helpful. Knowledge of Excel and visual basic is helpful,
but hardcore programming is not needed. Master's degree--not needed.
Computer Science: minor (or double major) in computer science and show concrete expertise with programming
(such as a substantial project).
Pursue internships (even consider doing two of them)
and beware of easy-to-get internships where you learn nothing.
For the most exciting internships (and careers) in software development,
be willing to spend some time in San Francisco or Seattle.
Note that Matlab is excellent for many Mathematical applications,
but when applying for a job with software developers you should instead
have languages like Python, C++, and Java on your resume.
Finance: Minor in Finance and minor in (or double major in) Statistics. An internship is helpful.
You may later find that a Master's degree in Finance will open more interesting doors.
Note: Mathematical Finance is another story--if you decide to go into that,
I assume you know what you are getting yourself into (e.g. the Black-Scholes model) and that you need a Ph.D in Mathematics or Physics.
Operations Research: Learn to program (in Matlab, Python, R and/or SAS)
and take an advanced course in Statistics and
one in Linear Programming.
Win a good internship, which you will have to scout out--you may find them in unexpected places.
You might decide later (after some on-the-job experience) to pursue
an advanced degree.
Quantitative Analyst: Learn to program in C++ and/or Python.
Talk to an advisor to put together your own minor in "econometrics".
You need to like both Math and Business (and for that matter it wouldn't hurt to have a "type A personality").
For the type of "quant" that develops models,
an advanced degree is usually needed (Master's or Ph.D in Math, Stats, or Physics).
Cost/risk analysis in government or industry:
What I gather from conversations is that
when it comes to estimating the cost/risk of a large scale government project
or business venture (like say building a new factory),
the "extra ingredient" that a typical Math major
will need to acquire is business experience specific to the industry of interest.
This seems to be even more important than programming skills,
since software like Microsoft Excel can be used to run
adequate cost/risk analysis including Monte-Carlo simulations.
Where the most scrutiny is needed is in the business-related assumptions going into the model.
After completing an internship and getting some exposure to the demands of the job,
you might consider pursuing a Master's degree.
Research and development (industry): Minor in chemistry (for example).
Develop specific interests early on based on the
industry that interests you and the internships that will be available.
Down the road, you may consider pursuing an advanced degree in say computational fluid dynamics.
Academia: --an amazing job, but it is a competitive job market.
Again it is not enough to get accepted to grad school...
You need to strike out and set yourself apart.
While in grad school, pass your quals early, publish papers,
present at conferences, and learn to program
(this is both for keeping your options open and also because even for Pure Mathematicians it is becoming
more and more important to use the computer).
Read Krantz's book about surviving grad school,
but don't take everything he says for granted.
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Internship opportunities for students:
Government:
Government labs are a great place for Math majors to look for serious internships,
as the work environment combines
aspects of academic and industrial settings.
Moreover, there are rather large scale programs like
SULI and ORAU that are designed specifically for
student interns, so there is a well-established pipeline
for students to take internships at national labs (in many cases before they have graduated).
This goes both for undergraduate and graduate students--even if you don't plan to go into government research.
SULI:
An internship program at Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL).
Several FAU Math undergraduate students have recently obtained internships through SULI.
ORAU
DHS
NSA: National security, cryptography, and data mining.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory : Bio-security, counterterrorism, defense, energy, and science and technology.
Los Alamos National Laboratory: Energy, science, and engineering.
Argonne National Laboratory: Energy issues and scientific research.
NASA: Aerospace
Computers, Technology, and Data Science:
Google
Facebook
IBM
Amazon Web Services
Microsoft
Once upon a time, Bell Labs was the oasis where Mathematicians flocked to perform privately-funded basic research.
If such an oasis exists now, it might be called Microsoft Research.
Disney:
They have positions in both data science and also operations research
(for internships in operations research, search key word "decision science").
FAU Research Park:
Companies and types of internships may vary, but it is worth checking here if you
are looking for an option on campus.
American Traveler:
A company based in Boca Raton, FL that staffs traveling nurses at hospitals.
They have hired FAU Math students.
PAYBOX:
Automated invoicing, approvals, and payments.
They have a headquarters in Fort Lauderdale
and have hired FAU Math students for jobs and internships.
Finance:
Goldman Sachs
Guzman Energy:
A company that trades energy assets. One of their main offices is in Miami, FL.
Citigroup
Science:
SAIC: National security, health, energy and environment, and cypersecurity.
Metron: Scientific consulting.
Phillips: Healthcare and electronics.
Mitre:
Cybersecurity, emerging technologies, engineering, health transformation, global networking, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
NextEra Energy:
Wind and Solar. Based in South Florida.
Aerospace and Defense:
Raytheon
Boeing
Aerospace Corporation
UTC:
A conglomerate that includes Pratt and Whitney.
They have an office in Jupiter, FL,
and there are many job postings based in West Palm Beach.
Lockheed Martin
Actuarial Science:
NCCI:
A major actuarial firm right here in Boca Raton, FL.
They have hired multiple FAU students for jobs and internships.
Assurant:
They have an office in Miami, FL,
where many of the internships are based.
Prudential
Further resources on careers that use Math:
WeUseMath.org
bigmathnetwork.org