Job Opportunities For Mathematicians

Mathematicians

Significant Points

·         A Ph.D. in mathematics usually is the minimum educational requirement, except in the Federal Government.

·         Much faster than average employment growth is expected for mathematicians.

·         Keen competition for jobs is expected.

·         Ph.D. holders with a strong background in mathematics and a related field, such as computer science or engineering, should have better employment opportunities in related occupations.

 

Employment

Mathematicians held about 2,900 jobs in 2008. Many people with mathematical backgrounds also worked in other occupations. For example, there were about 54,800 jobs for postsecondary mathematical science teachers in 2008.

Many mathematicians work for the Federal Government, primarily in the U.S. Department of Defense which accounts for about 81 percent of the mathematicians employed by the Federal Government. Many of the other mathematicians employed by the Federal Government work for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

In the private sector, major employers include scientific research and development services and management, scientific, and technical consulting services. Some mathematicians also work for insurance carriers.

Job Outlook

Employment of mathematicians is expected to grow much faster than average. However, keen competition for jobs is expected.

Employment change. 

Employment of mathematicians is expected to increase by 22 percent during the 2008–18 decade, which is much faster than average for all occupations. Advancements in technology usually lead to expanding applications of mathematics, and more workers with knowledge of mathematics will be required in the future. However, jobs in industry and government often require advanced knowledge of related scientific disciplines in addition to mathematics. The most common fields in which mathematicians study and find work are computer science and software development, physics, engineering, and operations research. Many mathematicians also are involved in financial analysis and in life sciences research.

Job prospects.

 Job competition will remain keen because employment in this occupation is relatively small and few new jobs are expected. Ph.D. holders with a strong background in mathematics and a related discipline, such as engineering or computer science, and who apply mathematical theory to real-world problems will have the best job prospects in related occupations.

In addition, mathematicians with experience in computer programming will better their job prospects in many occupations.

Holders of a master's degree in mathematics will face very strong competition for jobs in theoretical research. Because the number of Ph.D. degrees awarded in mathematics continues to exceed the number of available university positions—especially tenure-track positions—many graduates will need to find employment in industry and government.

Employment in theoretical mathematical research is sensitive to general economic fluctuations and to changes in government spending. Job prospects will be greatly influenced by changes in public and private funding .

Opportunities for mathematicians

Between one third and one half of all jobs requiring graduates are open to students of any discipline. Of course, mathematicians are eligible for these jobs. In addition, there are careers for which a degree in mathematics is either essential or a strong advantage. These fall into a number of general areas:

1.      Scientific research, design and development
Large companies and government research establishments are actively involved in research and development. They employ mathematicians and statisticians, usually along with other scientists in interdisciplinary research teams. The problems being solved require a flexible approach and speedy solutions, the need being for ``best possible'' answers in the time available. Projects of this type require high mathematical skill, ability to analyse complex problems in order to formulate them mathematically and to use computers in their solution (a skill developed during mathematics degree courses), willingness to work to deadlines, and ability to communicate findings to others.

The range of problems on which mathematicians are engaged is wide. We give a few examples. In the aircraft industry, there is work on aerodynamical design, providing theoretical results which predict or complement those from (for example) experimental wind tunnels. In pollution control, mathematicians would develop ``models'' (mathematical equations) predicting dispersal rates of chimney effluents under different meteorological conditions. In telecommunications, mathematicians may work on improved communications links, computer-recognition of handwriting and speech patterns, and distortion in digital transmission.

2.     Management services and computing
The problems of coping with rapid changes in technology and market conditions in large and complex organisations make it essential for managers to call on specialist services. Management service specialists define and investigate problems systematically. The work is often mathematical, involving an area of mathematics known as Operational Research. It might involve designing a more efficient transportation programme for deliveries to a supermarket chain, or a stock control pattern for a car franchise holder.

Computing is a major part of the work of most management services departments. Entrants are usually appointed as trainee programmers, but the work can be very varied, especially for employees of a company of management consultants. Their role is to set up mathematical models of the situations they are required to analyse, and to use computers in the solution of the problems, rather than just to write computer programs.

Personal qualities are especially important - tact, understanding, ability to communicate - because in recommending action based on their work, mathematicians can face resistance to changing familiar methods and practices.

3.     Financial work
In recent years, up to half of all mathematics graduates have taken up a career in finance.

o    Accountancy
Firms of chartered accountants - the main employers - do not normally specify degree disciplines of entrants. They are particularly keen though to recruit mathematics graduates, because of their numeracy skills and logical thought, and because they are normally very successful in the professional examinations (on average, more so than accountancy graduates!). So to become an accountant, you do not need to take a degree in accountancy. A mathematics degree allows many openings in accountancy, should you wish to follow them after graduation, as well as all the other opportunities.

o    Actuarial work
This has long been a popular field for mathematics graduates. The work involves the application of probability and statistics to financial affairs such as life assurance, pensions and social security, so a degree involving a substantial proportion of these subjects is desirable. Traineeships occur with life assurance companies and insurance companies as well as with actuarial consultants. Career and salary prospects for those with managerial and commercial potential are excellent.

o    Other openings in finance
There are some opportunities in banking, particularly with the head offices of major banks, or with merchant banks. Mathematicians have frequently been successful candidates for the Tax Inspectorate.

4.     Statistical work
We have already discussed one aspect of work undertaken by statisticians - the work of an actuary. In addition, statistical work is carried out in many organisations - the Civil Service (economics and agriculture in particular), research establishments, large industrial firms and commercial concerns (e.g. market research agencies).

The work is varied, depending on the activities of the employer. In the Civil Service and in research establishments (government and industrial), statisticians work on design and analysis of experimental projects. In industry, the work may involve quality control, where statisticians collaborate in designing procedures for testing and in assessing the results of the tests. Statisticians employed by market research and advertising agencies will be involved in survey design and evaluating responses.

5.     Teaching
This is a career which is crucial for the future well-being of society, because of the central role which mathematics plays in many aspects of life.

Graduates take a one-year postgraduate certificate specialising in either the primary or the secondary sector. To maintain the stock of mathematics teachers in schools, about one quarter of all mathematics graduates need to enter the profession. This is approximately happening in Northern Ireland, whereas in England and Wales in recent years, less than 10% of mathematics graduates have entered the profession, and this had led to a serious shortage of (and hence many openings for) teachers of mathematics.

Openings also occur in Colleges of Further Education. Openings in higher education are at present very limited. However, the age structure of university staff is such that from the year 2000, openings will start to occur more frequently. A Ph.D. is normally a minimum qualification for such a post, perhaps with a couple of years post-doctoral experience as well. So present-day sixth-formers may find that there will be opportunities for them in the future.

6.     Postgraduate study
A sizeable proportion of graduates choose to continue for higher qualifications before entering the world of work. Taught Masters' courses may develop specialist interests based on work undertaken in a primary degree, or they may provide concentrated study in a new area of interest. Frequently, they are chosen by graduates with particular careers in mind.

The most common research course lasts three years and leads to the award of a Ph.D. A good honours degree is normally required for entry to such a course. The course provides training in the fundamental processes of research and so is particularly useful for those aiming to work in industrial research.

 

Finally

A degree in mathematics does not train you for a specific job. Rather it gives you a range of skills which enable you to enter any of a wide range of careers. It is therefore a versatile qualification. By taking a mathematics degree, you are able to make your career choice when you are 21 rather than when you are 18. Your aspirations may well have changed during the intervening years. Moreover, you will have a clearer understanding of the work you would be doing and you will have been able to talk with representatives of the companies who will wish to employ you. Three years at a university will broaden your horizons in many ways.

Done By
 Jannani and Rashmika 
5Science Dedali