4 answers
Joseph
Student
South Lyon, Michigan
1
Question
Asked
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I am wondering what kinds of jobs I can get with a major in Applied Mathematics with a concentration in Physics.
I am a junior in college and am trying to find jobs to build up my experience for a finding a job in my field. I am currently enrolled to take accounting classes next semester but, I am not sure that is the correct step to take. #Math
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4 answers
Bill Russo
Program Manager, Professor
18
Answers
Dayton, Ohio
Updated
Bill’s Answer
Joseph,
Building on the previous answers, and focusing on your stated desire to "find jobs to build up your experience for a finding a job in my field" you may have the best resources right at your school. You stated you are a junior in college. Therefore, you may have all kinds of career insights and expertise at your fingertips. Such as:
1. Visit each of your professors during their office hours or at whatever time or method they have set aside to chat with students. Ask them your question. Ask them to share some of their work experiences that may be helpful to you.
2. If you have a career center on campus (it may be called something fancier), then consider it a personal resource. Go there and see what is offered. Talk with career counselors. Ask for references to industries or companies that meet your criteria. BONUS TIP: Career centers may have the inside track on PART-TIME jobs you can do for a few hours a week while in school to "test drive" companies, career specialties, and positions. Very valuable if you can make the time to do it. (I sacrificed party/social time at school to do this sort of thing and never regretted it; party later when you can celebrate the great job you got.)
3. Often, the career center will have built bridges to area companies who are especially open to hiring graduates from your school. Check for job openings at such places (they may also be POSTED somewhere on paper or online at your school career center site.) Schedule an interview for any job remotely related to your interests. Educate yourself on the company by devouring everything on their website and/or blog, social media pages, or whatever they have out there online. Go to the interview armed with good questions based on the needs of the company you discovered in your online search + your personal goals and interests. Practice good interview skills there. Try to get further references ("Who else can I talk to who will help me pursue my career goals?") These interviews are not necessarily to get your dream job, but more for practice and networking. If you do not get the job, it will be such a big disappointment, but it may be a very good way to sharpen your people and business skills. FREE BONUS TIP: If you get a rejection notice or phone call, send a letter to the person who invited you to interview, thanking them for their time and consideration and requesting they keep you in mind if something comes up in the future. A paper letter will be more impressive and lasting because they know it takes more time and effort to write on paper than to just down a quick email. But an email thank you is better than nothing because most of the time, the interviewer gets no thank-you at all from the rejected candidate.
4. Follow up and contact any new references you gathered from your interviews. Tell them the name of the person and company that referred you. This is building a network around you of like-minded people. If your new contacts have no openings, ask them to contact you when such openings occur (although this rarely happens because the employees are so busy - but just asking shows your interest). Better yet, ask your interviewer how to submit your resume to their candidate database (which they will search when new jobs are posted) if they haven't already.
Start with item 1 in my answer. You may also ask them for names of other people to talk with - always keep networking!
Do number 2 in my answer. If you make a career counselor appointment, you will usually be assigned to one of them. Go back a second time and talk to another counselor - they all have different perspectives and backgrounds that may be helpful. If one or the other seems particularly helpful, revisit that one and update him/her at least once per semester to keep up them to date on your quest.
Work on item 3 of my answer. If you get several interviews, space them out, say, a week or more apart, if you can, to allow time to do good research on each one without getting the companies confused in your mind.
Do item 4. Work on NOT being offended or openly disappointed when someone can't help you or job application is turned down. Look at even these as learning opportunities: what can you do next time to better your chances, based on what you learned this time? In other words, always seek the most positive outcomes for yourself from each job search encounter.
Believe in yourself - don't give up. Challenge yourself to look for new places and new ways to promote yourself and gain experience that you may not have thought of or have been aware of before.
Building on the previous answers, and focusing on your stated desire to "find jobs to build up your experience for a finding a job in my field" you may have the best resources right at your school. You stated you are a junior in college. Therefore, you may have all kinds of career insights and expertise at your fingertips. Such as:
1. Visit each of your professors during their office hours or at whatever time or method they have set aside to chat with students. Ask them your question. Ask them to share some of their work experiences that may be helpful to you.
2. If you have a career center on campus (it may be called something fancier), then consider it a personal resource. Go there and see what is offered. Talk with career counselors. Ask for references to industries or companies that meet your criteria. BONUS TIP: Career centers may have the inside track on PART-TIME jobs you can do for a few hours a week while in school to "test drive" companies, career specialties, and positions. Very valuable if you can make the time to do it. (I sacrificed party/social time at school to do this sort of thing and never regretted it; party later when you can celebrate the great job you got.)
3. Often, the career center will have built bridges to area companies who are especially open to hiring graduates from your school. Check for job openings at such places (they may also be POSTED somewhere on paper or online at your school career center site.) Schedule an interview for any job remotely related to your interests. Educate yourself on the company by devouring everything on their website and/or blog, social media pages, or whatever they have out there online. Go to the interview armed with good questions based on the needs of the company you discovered in your online search + your personal goals and interests. Practice good interview skills there. Try to get further references ("Who else can I talk to who will help me pursue my career goals?") These interviews are not necessarily to get your dream job, but more for practice and networking. If you do not get the job, it will be such a big disappointment, but it may be a very good way to sharpen your people and business skills. FREE BONUS TIP: If you get a rejection notice or phone call, send a letter to the person who invited you to interview, thanking them for their time and consideration and requesting they keep you in mind if something comes up in the future. A paper letter will be more impressive and lasting because they know it takes more time and effort to write on paper than to just down a quick email. But an email thank you is better than nothing because most of the time, the interviewer gets no thank-you at all from the rejected candidate.
4. Follow up and contact any new references you gathered from your interviews. Tell them the name of the person and company that referred you. This is building a network around you of like-minded people. If your new contacts have no openings, ask them to contact you when such openings occur (although this rarely happens because the employees are so busy - but just asking shows your interest). Better yet, ask your interviewer how to submit your resume to their candidate database (which they will search when new jobs are posted) if they haven't already.
Bill recommends the following next steps:
Serena Leung
International Investment Associate Director
38
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Serena’s Answer
Hi Joseph,
with your skills and knowledge in Applied Mathematics and concentration in physics,
you will be a favored candidate in the banking and finance field, especially in specialities that require a lot of number crunching.
Take some time to research on Quantitative research, trading and financial modelling -
these should be fields that may interest you and suit your expertise.
Your logical mindset and sensitivity with numbers will be highly valued in these roles.
These are often considered as "front office" roles in banking -
they are highly sought after but they value candidates like yourself who already have a strong fundamental in maths and calculations.
Spend some time to research into this field,
it will likely lead to a more varied career path.
Good luck!
with your skills and knowledge in Applied Mathematics and concentration in physics,
you will be a favored candidate in the banking and finance field, especially in specialities that require a lot of number crunching.
Take some time to research on Quantitative research, trading and financial modelling -
these should be fields that may interest you and suit your expertise.
Your logical mindset and sensitivity with numbers will be highly valued in these roles.
These are often considered as "front office" roles in banking -
they are highly sought after but they value candidates like yourself who already have a strong fundamental in maths and calculations.
Spend some time to research into this field,
it will likely lead to a more varied career path.
Good luck!
Thank you Serena!
Joseph
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
178
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
The strength of a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics with a concentration in physics is in analytical and problem-solving skill. This skill will be important in practically in all job areas from business to technical fields.
It is a good idea that you are taking a class in accounting. You may be interested in applying your analytical and problem-solving skill in this area. In particular, you should find your applied mathematics background critical in computer-program development.
It is a good idea that you are taking a class in accounting. You may be interested in applying your analytical and problem-solving skill in this area. In particular, you should find your applied mathematics background critical in computer-program development.
Jim Richvalsky
Product Manager
2
Answers
Royersford, Pennsylvania
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Applied mathematics is a great major that will give you a lot of options for jobs. Its a good fit for jobs in the finance and banking fields. But also helps with jobs in the computer programming which require math and problem solving skills. With the physics knowledge too, you'd be a good fit for engineering jobs such as aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering.