| Statistics: Statisticians design surveys and experiments,
and then collect and interpret the resulting information or data. They
use statistical techniques to predict population growth or economic conditions
and assess the nature of environmental problems. A statistician can help
a pharmaceutical firm decide whether a new drug helps premature babies
grow up healthy.
Quality Control and Reliability Engineering: In an automobile
company, a statistician might design experiments to estimate the failure
time of an engine exposed to extreme weather conditions and to identify
factors that lead to improved performance. In an chemical company, a statistician
might determine what combination of several chemicals would lead to the
best product.
Actuarial Science: Actuaries answer questions about future
risk, make pricing decisions, and formulate investment strategies. Some
design insurance, financial, and pension plans and ensure that they are
maintained on a sound financial basis. Most actuaries specialize
in either life, health, or property and casualty insurance; others specialize
in pension plans or in financial planning and investment.
Operations Research: Operations research includes the mathematics
used by businesses to make managerial decisions. Operations research analysts
are problem solvers. They help a company with strategy, forecasting,
resource allocation, facilities layout, inventory control, personnel schedules,
and distribution systems. The best opportunities in this field require
a master's degree.
Scientific Computation: The faster computers run, the more
problems are investigated by computer, and the greater the need to understand
the mathematics behind massive computations. Mathematicians explore which
problems can be solved by computer, how to compute solutions efficiently,
and how to improve computers to solve virtually impossible problems like
weather prediction.
Industrial Research in Mathematics: New mathematical problems
arise whenever an industrial firm develops a new technology. Mathematicians
create a mathematical model, analyze the problem, and implement practical
methods for getting solutions. For example, at the National Institute of
Health, mathematicians work on the image processing used for CAT scans
and tumor recognition.
Fundamental Research in Mathematics: Many math majors continue
their studies in graduate school and earn a masters degree or a Ph.D. This
training opens up career opportunities at industrial and national laboratories
and at colleges and universities. For example, the National Security Agency
employs large numbers of mathematicians to work on problems related to
cryptography.
High School Teacher: Everyone knows that a math major can
become a teacher, with reasonable pay, good benefits, and about three months
of vacation each year. Our graduates are in high demand as teachers
and earn top-notch starting salaries.
Career profiles
Career profiles collected
by the Mathematical Association of America
Profiles from the
American Mathematical Society
Career information
from the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Career information
from the American Statistical Organization
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