4 answers
Genevieve
Student
Cedar Rapids
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Questions
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If I'm good at math, what careers should I look into?
Accounting, actuary, computer science, finance, economics, etc.? What about less common careers?
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4 answers
Hannah Bielicki
Sales Support Representative
17
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Hannah’s Answer
Look into Engineering.
Completely forgot about that field! Thank you!
Genevieve
Ramesh Narayanaswamy
Computer Scientist
47
Answers
Palo Alto, California
Updated
Ramesh’s Answer
The careers you enumerate, computer science, finance, economics, etc. are areas which leverage skills developed in studying Mathematics:
a) Problem Solving, b) Applied Mathematics - Computational Mathematics areas such Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, etc.
There is a Computational sub-area to all STEM fields. Example, Computational Biology, Computational Chemistry, Computational/Quantitative Finance, Computational Mechanics (Mechanical Engineering), etc.
There are couple of approaches to career choice:
A) You can pick an area which covers two or more of your interests, e.g., Computational Biology - Biology and Math.
B) Pick a general area - Computational Math/Science, or Data Science and defer the application area to a choice down the road when are closer to graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.
a) Problem Solving, b) Applied Mathematics - Computational Mathematics areas such Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, etc.
There is a Computational sub-area to all STEM fields. Example, Computational Biology, Computational Chemistry, Computational/Quantitative Finance, Computational Mechanics (Mechanical Engineering), etc.
There are couple of approaches to career choice:
A) You can pick an area which covers two or more of your interests, e.g., Computational Biology - Biology and Math.
B) Pick a general area - Computational Math/Science, or Data Science and defer the application area to a choice down the road when are closer to graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Thank you!
Genevieve
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
175
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Mathematics is the language of science and engineering. If you are good at mathematics, the door to any STEM disciplines is wide open to you. As far as “less common careers” is concerned, the choice is unlimited because mathematical skill will find useful applications in practically any area of work.
You should ask yourself what you want to do for your future career. Go where your heart is, and your love in mathematics will carry you a long way.
You should ask yourself what you want to do for your future career. Go where your heart is, and your love in mathematics will carry you a long way.
Thank you Andrew!
Genevieve
Michael Esposito
Director, Financial Reporting
22
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Michael’s Answer
If you're good at Math, the follow up question I would have is, does it excite you?
For me, I was very good at Math, but I realized it was the "solving puzzles" aspect of Math that I enjoyed the most, not necessarily the specific applications the Math was being used for.
Do you like working with people or by yourself?
I like working with people so I ended up going down the Financial Reporting rabbit hole for a company that offers services in this field. Helping answer questions about report results, prove out complex calculations, help streamline our client's processes etc
I think those two questions will help guide you the most. Is your enjoyment in Math specifically topical, and how do you SEE yourself working with Math. Headphones on, locked in, or in a room with other folks and a white board :)
For me, I was very good at Math, but I realized it was the "solving puzzles" aspect of Math that I enjoyed the most, not necessarily the specific applications the Math was being used for.
Do you like working with people or by yourself?
I like working with people so I ended up going down the Financial Reporting rabbit hole for a company that offers services in this field. Helping answer questions about report results, prove out complex calculations, help streamline our client's processes etc
I think those two questions will help guide you the most. Is your enjoyment in Math specifically topical, and how do you SEE yourself working with Math. Headphones on, locked in, or in a room with other folks and a white board :)
Thank you Michael! I never thought about it that way. I'll definitely be taking time to contemplate this question, thanks again! :)
Genevieve