Careers in Mathematics
(From Careers in Mathematics by Margaret Menzin and Robert Goldman. The complete document may be found here.)
Mathematics is among the most fascinating of all intellectual disciplines, the purest of all art forms, and the most challenging of games. The study of mathematics is not only exciting, but important: mathematicians have an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to society by helping to solve problems in such diverse fields as medicine, management, economics. government, computer science, physics, psychology, engineering, and social science.
A bachelor's degree in mathematics will prepare you for fascinating jobs in statistics, actuarial sciences, mathematical modeling, and cryptography; for teaching; as well as for graduate school leading to a research career in mathematics or statistics. A strong background in mathematics is also necessary for research in many areas of computer science, social science, and engineering.
Things to keep in mind as you ponder becoming a mathematics major:
- Mathematics is often done in conjunction with another field: biology, physics, economics, or a host of others.
- Mathematical modeling is used to solve real problems in a variety of fields.
- Statistics is a growing field, particularly in those fields dealing with human behavior.
- Many topics in "pure math" have important applications in computer science.
- There is a national shortage of teachers in all the mathematical sciences (pure math, applied math, statistics, and computer science) at all levels, so any of these fields goes well with teaching and/or research.
- Mathematics is a field with a surprising variety of specialties which have different "feels" to them. You probably won't like all of them equally, any more than most musicians feel the same about rock and classical music, or most English majors like all authors and periods equally. So if you come across a math course that isn't your favorite, but there are others that you really like, it just means that you are getting to know math better and your taste is becoming more refined.
Career information from professional societies:
- SIAM
- Mathematics Science Career Information (maintained at AMS)
- Young Mathematicians Network
- Careers in Statistics (maintained by The American Statistical Association - ASA)
Salary and employment links:
Attention Graduate students
Various financial aid opportunities are offered to graduate students. They are
- Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs):
- These awards are only offered to students who are currently writing master degree thesis.
- In order to obtain a GTA, you must have completed at least 18 hours of graduate work in mathematics and/or statistics and completed a pedagogy course.
- Graduate Laboratory Assistantship: This award is only offered to first year graduate students. Responsiblities usually include grading and laboratory work.
Other financial support opportunities may be available and include faculty's individual grants, support from Georgia State University research initiatives like Brains & Behaviors, Molecular Based Deceases, and working in The MILE or in the Mathematics Assistance Complex.