10 In-Demand Careers for Math Majors

Blackboard Man in hat and suspenders

Whether you welcomed it into your life by choice or got stuck in it by default, mathematics will always offer numerous options when it comes to attractive career paths.

Don’t want to be a mathematician or statistician? Go for a financial analyst or data analyst role! Thanks to the continued advancement of technology and new professions, there’s high demand for logical analysts and number crunchers.

Significance of a Mathematics Career:

Due to being a multifaceted subject, mathematics has its place in all career sectors. Starting from basic algebra to higher level maths, 94 percent of workers from different professions are using mathematics in their jobs. Of them, around 5 percent are using calculus efficiently. It’s fair to say that almost every profession needs employees who are efficient in math.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that the employment of mathematics in the job market is expected to grow by 23 percent between 2012 and 2022. Almost every sector, from economics to banking, are in universal needs of knowledgeable, analytical problem solvers. The type who comes from a strong mathematical background.

Career Options in Mathematics:

If you feel lost in a sea of mathematics, here are 10 potential career options revolving around the subject! 

  1. Actuaries:

If you are someone who likes to play around with probabilities, where you manage the financial risk of insurance companies, hospitals, banks, the government or large corporations, then actuaries are the career for you. To enter into this profession, you have to face a competitive battle both before and after graduation when the actuarial exam takes place.

Required qualities are, usually, mathematics, business, statistics, and liberal arts. It’s not really a traditional mathematics career. However, the job does use financial theory – with mathematics and statistics – to assess uncertain future events regarding those of pension and insurance programs.

Actuaries are in high demand currently with a range of salaries depending on degrees and qualifications. With the right background, a lucrative wage is a reward for this particular job role.

  1. Financial Analyst:

A financial analyst usually provides guidance to individuals and businesses by assessing the performance of bonds, stocks, and other various types of investments.

Sadly for this job, a bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement. They study economics and business trends. A good number of openings are available for this position. Financial analysts are also hired by the Federal Reserve System to judge the monetary policy. 

  1. Statistician:

If you love to analyze applied or theoretical statistics, it’s clear what job path you should take: becoming a statistician. According to BLS, The overall employment in this role is predicted to grow by 31% between 2016 and 2026.

The tasks of a statistician are typical to design surveys, make opinion polls, questionnaires, experiments, and collect data according to their needs. Their work is required in any field such as government, health care, education, sports, psychology, research and development corporations, and so on.

As a statistician, you need to possess expertise in analytical knowledge, as well as have sublime communication and IT skills. A masters degree is required for an entry level role. 

  1. Cryptographer:

If you’ve watched ‘The Imitation Game,’ the idea of becoming a cryptographer has probably crossed your mind. It is, after all, one of the most interesting career choices available.

Make and break codes by coming up with more efficient ways to protect indispensable data from malicious hackers. It’s involved in military, political, financial, and law-enforcement sectors.

To begin seriously considering this role, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics or a related field.

  1. Mathematician:

One of the traditional jobs for mathematics lovers out there is to, well, become a mathematician. To become employed in such a role, an advanced mathematics degree is usually required.

Its employment rate is 33 percent according to the BLS. A mathematician helps solve real-world problems by applying mathematical theories. They work for science, government, engineering, and research sectors due to their extensive analyzing knowledge.

Chemists and industrial designers also use mathematicians to develop new strategies through data analyzing. So, if you love to play with calculators like NSpire and want to pursue a higher knowledge of maths, this is the career for you!

  1. Operations Research Analyst:

An operations research analyst solves high-level problems by using advanced techniques of mathematics. These techniques include data mining, optimizing and statistical analysis, and these are used to build solutions and help organizations operate more cost-effectively.

An entry level requires a bachelor’s degree in math, industrial engineering or business. A masters degree is more favored. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 31,300 operations research analyst jobs should open up between 2016 and 2026.

Through this job, you can optimize the manufacturing process of computers, or develop flight schedules for airlines by special security clearance.

  1. Investment Analyst:

What’s the role of an investment analyst? Well, they help the likes of traders, stock brokers, and investment managers by providing research and information for them to make wise investment decisions.

An investment analyst could also work for banks or large corporations, life insurance companies, real estate businesses, or even wealthy individuals. For entry level, a degree in accounting, economics, mathematics, or statistics is required. The salary is particularly enticing for this position.

  1. Meteorology:

A meteorologist is concerned with the physical, chemical, and dynamical atmosphere of the earth’s climate. They use science and math to predict weather and understand the environment.

There are sectors of regular weather forecasting, broadcast weather, conduct atmospheric research, or work for private meteorological companies. They usually require a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science, math, physics, or chemistry.

Excellent IT skills, where you can break down complex mathematical data, is a valuable additional skill for this sector.

  1. Geodesist:

A geodesist uses applied mathematics to scrutinize and precisely measure the earth’s shape and size, gravity, and geodynamic phenomena. Scientists are helped in their work when trying to assess changes in the shape of the earth or in the landscape.

For this job position, an advanced degree in maths with physics and cartography is recommended.

  1. Teaching:

With substantial academic achievements in mathematics or statistics, you always have the option of becoming a teacher. However, you will need formal teaching qualifications before setting on this profession.

The value of teaching grows year by year. It’s always a great choice to become involved in this type of work.

Finally,

Always remember the more competitive the world gets, the more jobs it opens up – regardless of the sector. Feel proud with a math major and pursue your favorite career!

Author Bio:

This article is contributed by Anthony. A true fan of reading books and comics and the one-eyed-king in the world of mathematical geekdom. Check out more of his works at GraphingCalcHub.com.

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