What Can I Do With A Major In…
Mathematics?
Compiled by the staff at the SUNY Oneonta Career Development Center
Introduction
Mathematics is one of the oldest and most fundamental sciences. Mathematical
training allows one to use mathematical theory, computational techniques,
algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve problems.
Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, the student is qualified
for a broad range of positions with a high salary in government, industry, business
and education.
Functional Skill Set for Math Majors:
Problem solving
Logical thinking
Systemizing skills
Team skills
Testing skills
Critical thinking
Organizational skills
Computer literacy
Efficiency
Numerical computation
Advanced quantitative skills
Ability to analyze & interpret data
Communication skills
Modeling and simulation
SIAM report, “expertise in both programming and numerical analysis
is essential.”
Related Career Titles for Math Majors:
Accountant
Actuary/Actuarial Trainee
Aerospace Engineer
Air Traffic Controller
Applications
Applied Science Technologist
Artificial Intelligence Programmer
Astronomer
Auditor
Banking/Credit/Investment Mgr.
Biometrician/Biostatistician
Cartographer
Commodity Manager
Compensation/Benefits Admin
Computer Applications Specialist
Computer Consultant
Computer Engineer
Computer Facilities Mgr.
Computer Installation
Computer Marketing/Sales Rep
Computer Programmer
Computer-Aided Design Tech.
Consultant
Consumer Loan/Credit Officer
Contract Administrator
Cost Estimator/Analyst
Cryptographer/Cryptologist
Data Analyst
Data Base Manager
Data Control Administrator
Data Processing Manager
Demographer
Econometrician
Economist
EDP Auditor
Efficiency Engineer
Employee Relations Specialist
Engineer
Engineering Lab Technician
Environmental Technologist
Estate Planner
External Auditor
Financial Auditor
Financial Consultant
Financial Manager
Fiscal Analyst
Hydro Geologist
Hydrologist
Information Scientist
Information Systems Analyst
Insurance Underwriter
Inventory Control Specialist
Investment Banker
ISO 2000 Specialist
Management, Accounting
Manager, Electronic Data Processing
Market Research Analyst
Mathematician
Media Buyer
Meteorologist
Mortgage Researcher
Museum Technician
Network Programmer
Numerical Analyst
Operations Research Analyst
Physicist
Pollution Meteorologist
Production Manager
Production Support Specialist
Programmer
Programmer, Business Applications
Programmer, Technical
Programmer, Trainee
Psychometrician
Public Accountant
Public Health Statistician
Purchasing/Contract Agent
Quality Assurance Analyst
Rate Analyst
Real Estate Appraiser\Securities Analyst
Regulatory Analyst
Research Analyst
Risk & Insurance Specialist
Risk Analyst
Robotics Programmer
Sales Representative
Satellite Communications Specialist
Software Development Specialist
Software Engineer
Software Support Specialist
Specialist
Statistical Research Assistant
Statistician, Applied
Statistician, Business & Economics
Statistician, Financial
Statistician, Mathematical
Statistician, Opinion Polling
Statistician, Physical Science & Engineering
Statistician, Social Science
Statistician, Vital
Supervisor, Publications
Surveyor
Systems Analyst, Electronic Data Processing
Systems Analyst, Scientific
Systems Programmer
Teacher, Mathematics/Science/Computer
Technical Support Representative
Technical Writer
Translator, Scientific Documents
Transportation Planner
Treasury Management
Underwriter
Urban Planner
Value Engineer
Weight Analyst
Writer, Technical
Some Organizations that Typically Employ Math Majors:
Government (Federal, state)
Research Firm
Testing Services
Security & Commodity Exchange
Advertisement /Public Relations Firm
Insurance Company
Management Services
Consulting Firm
Computer Industry
Public/Private Schools
Colleges/Universities
Manufacturing Firm
Market Research Firm
Brokerage Firm
Pharmaceutical Industry
Investment Firm
Corporate Finance
Retailing
Banks
Engineering Firms
Technical Journals
Actuarial Firms
Financial Institutions
Private Industry
Engineering Firms
Real Estate
Software Companies
Start a Strategic Plan:
Plan on acquiring an MBA.
Get sales experience.
Join finance related student organizations.
Find a summer internship in a bank.
Develop good interpersonal skills.
Work as cashier or teller.
Become financial officer or treasurer of campus organization.
Need certification for public schools.
Volunteer for Big Brother/Sister program, tutoring, child care centers, churches, and teen
counseling.
Work in summer camps.
Become involved in school programs: yearbook, debate, newspaper, government.
Acquire a master’s degree.
Acquire a Ph.D.
Develop good people and communication skills.
Acquire programming experience.
Stay current with new developments.
Get experience with public speaking and teaching.
Learn to develop curriculums.
Acquire a graduate degree in area of interest.
Become treasurer of an organization.
Obtain experience in fund-raising drives.
Join a professional association as a student member.
Acquire a business minor.
Volunteer to assist a professor with research.
Become a student member of American Marketing Association.
Assist with canvassing/phone interviewing for charities or political campaigns.
Note that greatest demand is for applied mathematics with skills in computer science,
electronics design and theory, statistics and probability.
Gain experience working in teams.
Develop good oral and written communication skills.
Earn a master’s degree in business or related field for more advanced positions.
Become familiar with government hiring procedures.
Make contacts through involvement in campus, local, or state politics.
Develop computer and research skills.
Learn to use relevant software packages.
Plan for graduate degree in area of interest.
Gain knowledge of computer languages.
Get exposure to large-scale hardware or mini/micro systems.
Develop ability to listen to what customer wants.
Professional Organizations and Associations for Math Majors:
Association for Women in Mathematics
4114 Computer and Space Sciences Bldg.
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-2461
http://www.awm-math.org/
National Council of Teacher of Mathematics
1906 Association Dr.
Reston, VA 20191-1593
http://www.nctm.org
Mathematical Association of America
1529 18
thStreet, NW, Suite 600
Washington DC 20036
http://www.maa.org
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
3600 University City Science Center
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2688
Revised 12-7-10
What can I do with this major?
MATHEMATICS
INDUSTRY Research Development Design Data Processing Testing Operations Quality ControlStatistical Processing Control Environmental Analysis Consulting
STRATEGIES
AREAS
EMPLOYERS
GOVERNMENT
Federal agencies including Defense, Labor, Justice, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Commerce, Treasury, NASA, and Library of Congress State agencies involving research and
problem-solving teams Industries including: Manufacturing Transportation Aerospace Communications Machinery Electrical equipment Pharmaceuticals Other private industries Consulting firms
Become familiar with government hiring procedures. Make contacts through involvement in campus, local, or
state politics.
Obtain internship with local, state, or federal government.
Join related professional organizations. Maintain a high grade point average.
Note that greatest demand is for applied mathematicians with skills in computer science, electronics design and theory, statistics and probability.
Develop computer and research skills. Learn to use relevant software packages.
Earn a master's degree in math, business, or related field for advanced positions or for consulting jobs.
Maintain excellent G.P.A. for graduate/professional school admission.
Gain relevant experience through internships, volunteering, summer, or part-time jobs.
Develop good oral and written communication skills. Learn to work well in teams.
MARKET RESEARCH
Data Collection Information Analysis
Market research firms
Consumer goods manufacturing firms
Develop good oral and written communication skills. Acquire a business minor.
Volunteer to assist a professor with research.
Become a student member of the American Marketing Association.
Assist with canvassing/phone interviewing for charities or political campaigns.
Complete a market research internship. Research
INSURANCE Actuarial Underwriting Claims Risk Management Sales (Math, Page 2)
Insurance firms Develop strong computer skills.
Acquire a business minor or take supplemental courses in business or statistics.
Become the treasurer of an organization. Obtain experience in fundraising drives. Join a related professional association. Gain relevant experience through internships. Become familiar with exams and/or certifications
required for actuarial positions.
COMPUTERS Programming Systems Applications Systems Analysis Data Processing Information Systems Software Development Networking Hardware Training
Computer hardware and software firms Service companies
Manufacturing firms
Government (federal, state, and local) Financial institutions
Wholesale and retail trade firms Custom software builders Service companies
Specialized training organizations Educational publishers
Consulting firms
Develop advanced computer skills.
Gain knowledge of computer languages and programming.
Take classes and earn relevant certifications. Gain relevant experience through internships,
part-time, or summer jobs.
Learn effective listening and verbal communication skills. Stay abreast of the latest developments in computer
technology.
Develop good interpersonal and communication skills. Obtain experience with public speaking/teaching and
learn to develop curriculums for training positions. Master technical writing skills.
Some areas may require a graduate degree.
SECURITIES
Sales Research Operations
National and regional brokerage firms Discount brokerage houses
Commercial banks Financial organizations
Obtain a business minor or supplement curriculum with courses in finance and/or economics.
Plan on acquiring an MBA.
Gain relevant experience through part-time or summer sales positions. Complete an internship with a related organization.
Join finance-related student organizations. Be geographically flexible when job searching.
STRATEGIES
AREAS
EMPLOYERS
Public schools Private schools
Colleges and universities (Math, Page 3)
© 1992 The University of Tennessee
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1992, Revised 1999, 2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer
Commercial banks Regional banks
Savings and loan associations Credit unions
Complete an internship in a financial institution. Develop good interpersonal skills.
Obtain a business minor.
Develop excellent computer skills. Demonstrate attention to detail.
Become the financial officer or treasurer of a campus organization. BANKING Branch Management Credit Lending Operations Systems Trusts
Obtain appropriate state licensure and/or certification for public school teaching positions.
Volunteer to teach, supervise, or tutor with
organizations such as Big Brother/Sister, YMCA, or churches.
Develop excellent written and oral communication skills. Acquire a master's degree or Ph.D.for teaching positions
at the college or university level.
EDUCATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
