Why Major in Mathematics?
"I've always liked math ..."
Then you are not alone. Mathematics is a unique combination of Art and Science, where beauty and truth can be found side-by-side. Mathematics is one of the most challenging of academic subjects, yet also one of the most rewarding. The joy of conquering a difficult problem with nothing but your own mind and a pencil, the depth of understanding resulting from the construction of an airtight proof, are experiences hard to match in other disciplines. Yet, reality also plays a large role: much of mathematics has its roots in practical problems. Scientists speak of "the unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics" in describing the world around us. Mathematics today continues to play a major role in the development of new technology and the solution of problems of social importance. Moreover, mathematics today continues to grow at an astonishing rate, with new mathematical discoveries being made far more rapidly than ever before in history.
" ... but I'm not a genius."
Then you'll have plenty of company! Mathematics is not restricted to geniuses any more than other majors. The important questions are: do you like math, and are you reasonably good at it? If so, you should consider mathematics as a possible major.
" ... but I'm not sure what opportunities are available for mathematics graduates."
Then you should check out some of the links below, which give information on mathematical careers. Mathematicians working in industry or government seldom have a job title of "mathematician", but are found in a variety of positions, often carrying a title of some sort of "engineer". Or how about Secretary of Defense? Dr. William Perry, Secretary of Defense (1994-1997), holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Mathematics.
" ... but I want to keep my options open."
Students with undergraduate degrees in mathematics often find it easy and natural to continue their studies at the graduate level in other disciplines. Engineering, computer science, business, operations research, medicine, and law are just some of the possibilities.
" ... but I'd like to prepare for a high-paying 21st-century career."
A mathematics degree is excellent preparation for a high-paying 21st-century career! Consider these facts:
- Excellent Salaries: Salaries for mathematics graduates are generally very competitive with other disciplines. They are generally higher than those for graduates with degrees in the sciences. In fact, USA Today reported in early 1997 that mathematics falls into the Top Ten academic majors in estimated starting salary for '96-'97 college graduates: $32,055 per year.
- Breadth of Opportunity: In recent publications directed toward college students, many dozens of large corporations, research laboratories, and government agencies have advertised their interest in hiring mathematics graduates. For example, in the National Association of Colleges and Employers' Job Choices in Science and Engineering: 1998, the following organizations are among those advertising their interest in hiring graduates with mathematics degrees: Applied Research Laboratories at the University of Texas, Argonne National Laboratory, AT&T, Bell Helicopter Textron, Boeing, Central Intelligence Agency, FedEx, Ford, Hughes Electronics, Lincoln Laboratory at M.I.T., Lockheed Martin, National Security Agency, Northrop Grumman, PPG, Rand Corporation, Raytheon, Sandia National Laboratories, U. S. Navy, and Unisys.
- Flexibility: Mathematics graduates work for government, business, and industry. They work for institutions engaged in a broad variety of activities -- as is amply illustrated by the list of potential employers above. Aerospace, computing, communications, pharmaceutical, consulting, and defense are just some of the possibilities. Likewise, mathematics graduates perform a multitude of duties: engineering, computer programming, scientific research, actuarial analysis, management, teaching, and many others.
More information about career opportunities for mathematics majors can be found on the World Wide Web. Try the following links:
- Career Profiles illustrating how individuals use their mathematical training, courtesy of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
- Mathematical Sciences Career Information, a web site jointly maintained by the MAA, the American Mathematical Society (AMS), and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)
- Mathematics Careers Bulletin Board and Career Planning Resources from AMS, MAA, and SIAM
- Mathematical Fields and Application Lists provided by applied mathematicians working in industry and government
- Mathematics that Counts from SIAM, featuring applied and computational mathematics research that have led to increased productivity, improvements in product design, solutions to problems related to health and the environment, etc.
- Professional Opportunities in Statistics from the American Statistical Association (ASA)
- Statistics Job Announcements on the WWW Virtual Library (maintained at the University of Florida's Department of Statistics)
- From the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, career information in mathematics and in statistics
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This page was last changed on March 15, 1998. Send comments and suggestions to Jim Vance
(jvance@euler.math.wright.edu).
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