Mathematics
Mathematics can be seen as a field unto itself, or as an essential element for other fields such as science, engineering and human affairs. Mathematics is one of the most important driving forces creating new technology. While in the past less than a third of the nation's mathematicians worked in industry, in recent years the demand for math experts in industry has been growing by about 10% annually.
Behind much of the new attention to mathematical sciences is the computer, which acts as a bridge between the theories of pure math and practical applications. The computer makes it possible to develop and run complex mathematical models--equations that describe real phenomena and can be manipulated to predict the array of possible results. These methods have become increasingly sophisticated and are being applied to problems that were once intractable. As a result, the need for people trained in mathematics is expanding, as well as the number of fields in which they can be employed.
Representative Job Titles and Areas of Specialization
| Actuary | Loan Officer/Trust Officer | | Biomathematical Researcher | Management Consultant | | Computer Systems Analyst | Underwriter | | Cost Analyst | Market Researcher/Analyst | | Data Base Manager | Mathematician | | Demographic Analyst | Methods Analyst | | Distribution Analyst | New Products Testing Specialist | | Econometrist | Operations Research Analyst | | Economic Forecaster | Professor/Instructor/Teacher | | Economic Research Analyst | Quality Assurance Technician | | Engineering Support Technician | Statistician (Mathematical) | | Industrial Engineer |
Nature of the Work
The majority of mathematicians are employed in teaching in secondary schools, community colleges, technical institutes, and four year colleges and universities. Those at research institutions conduct both pure and applied research in addition to their teaching and administrative duties.
Many of the growing number of mathematicians in business, government or industry have a secondary area of specialization to which they apply their mathematical knowledge. This secondary area may be economics and finance, as in the case of the actuary who designs insurance policies and pension plans and evaluates the financial risks a company takes in implementation.
The secondary area could be physical science. Mathematicians at General Motors use computer models to predict whether a specific type of metal can be shaped into a particular design and to forecast how different materials will wear under various types of stress.
Statistics is yet another useful secondary field. The Mathematics and Statistics Consulting group at Standard Oil of California slashed the cost of testing new oil additives by $200,000. They found that the results of just one short engine test were statistically equivalent to the results of the 40 longer tests previously required.
And of course, mathematics and computer sciences is a very marketable combination. Mathematicians with this specialization work on computer methods, systems and software. For example, they may provide support to others on the application of software to mathematical problems.
Thus, there are varied opportunities for mathematicians who understand the problems of another field and are willing to use their skills in modeling and analyzing them. Currently, energy, the environment, transportation and urban planning are some areas of great interest and importance to society. No one knows what new fields may be added to this list in the coming years, but it is certain that whatever the field, the talents of the mathematical scientist with broad training and interest will be in demand.
Places of Employment
| Aerospace industries | Government agencies | | Brokerage firms | Insurance companies | | Colleges and universities | Machinery industry | | Commercial and regional banks | Manufacturing firms | | Communications industry | Market research firms | | Consulting firms | Public utilities | | Electronic equipment industry | Retail department stores |
Training
Teaching at the post-secondary level and research require advanced degrees, while you can find jobs in private industry and government with a bachelor's degree. To work in areas of applied mathematics, it is a definite asset to take courses in a secondary area of specialization--for example, economics, marketing, physical science, engineering, statistics or computer science.
Mathematicians need good reasoning ability, persistence, and the creativity to apply basic principles to new types of problems. They must be able to communicate well with others since they often must listen to a non-mathematician describe a problem in general terms, and check a recheck to make sure they understand the mathematical solution that is needed.
For further information and/or career counseling contact the Career Center, Veitch Student Center, Northwest Wing, University of California, Riverside, 951.827.3631.
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