Careers in Mathematics
What Do Mathematicians Do ?
Mathematicians make it possible to send secure emails and buy things online. Mathematicians are essential to analyze data and design accurate models in fields as diverse as biology and finance. Mathematicians enabled researchers to complete The Human Genome Project quickly. And because of the prevalence of the computer at work and at play, mathematicians will continue to touch everyone in modern society.
We quote further from the website of the American Mathematical Society (AMS):
Mathematicians are often asked by friends, family, colleagues in other fields, and strangers "What do mathematicians do?" Here are some resources and facts that may help answer that question.
- Some of What Mathematicians Do, by Martin H. Krieger, Notices of the AMS, November 2004, page 1226
- What Do Mathematicians Do?, by Professor A.J. Berrick, Department of Mathematics, National University of Singapore
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mathematicians, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The page includes significant points about the nature of the work.
Many people are familiar with mathematicians in academia, but mathematicians also work in many other fields, including:
- Astronomy and space exploration
- Climate study
- Medicine
- National security
- Robotics
- Animated films
and in a wide range of businesses. Here is a sampling of articles about these careers:
- Theory Into Profit: Microsoft Invests in Mathematicians (1998) by Allyn Jackson
- Mathematical Experiences in Business, Industry and Government (2002) by Phil Gustafson
- Mathematical Experiences in Business, Industry and Government (2003) by Phil Gustafson
The diversity of fields that employ mathematicians is reflected in Mathematical Moments and Mathematics Awareness Month themes.
Graduate School Advising Guide
We have conducted a Graduate School Advising Guide which is available in pdf format here. Alternatively you can follow the links below. For future reference and convenience to you, we also place here the following hot links:
Why Grad School?
An advanced degree in Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science is the key to a wide variety of career options. Read on to learn more...