Area
Employer
Information/Strategies
Area:
Industry
Sub-Area:
- Research
- Development
- Design
- Data Processing
- Testing
- Operations
- Quality Control
- Statistical Processing Control
- Environmental Analysis
- Consulting
Employers:
- Industries including:
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Aerospace
- Communications
- Machinery
- Electrical equipment
- Pharmaceuticals
- Other private industries
- Consulting firms
Strategies & Information:
- 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.
Area:
Government
Employers:
- 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
Strategies & Information:
- 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.
Area:
Market Research
Sub-Area:
- Data Collection
- Information Analysis
Employers:
- Market research firms
- Consumer goods manufacturing firms
Strategies & Information:
- 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.
Area:
Computers
Sub-Area:
- Programming
- Systems Analysis
- Data Processing
- Information Systems
- Software Development
- Networking
- Hardware
- Training
Employers:
- 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
Strategies & Information:
- 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.
Area:
Insurance
Sub-Area:
- Actuarial
- Underwriting
- Claims
- Risk Management
- Sales
Strategies & Information:
- 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.
Area:
Securities
Sub-Area:
- Sales
- Research
- Operations
Employers:
- National and regional brokerage firms
- Discount brokerage houses
- Commercial banks
- Financial organizations
Strategies & Information:
- 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.
Area:
Banking
Sub-Area:
- Branch Management
- Credit Lending
- Operations
- Systems
- Trusts
Employers:
- Commercial banks
- Regional banks
- Savings and loan associations
- Credit unions
Strategies & Information:
- 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.
Area:
Education
Employers:
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Colleges and universities
Strategies & Information:
- 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 and Strategies
- 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.