Career Opportunities for Mathematics Graduates
Employers love mathematics graduates. Mathematicians are, of course, highly numerate. They are more likely than most to have learned to think clearly and logically, to analyse situations, to organise. They are likely to have used computers in their courses (though these days this is also true of graduates in many other subjects). They will have developed very special skills which they can use in devising solutions to complex problems in the workplace - perhaps in combustion phemomena for an oil company, in weather forecasting, in stock control for a large national retail company, in the statistical analysis of field trials for a drug company.
The versatility of mathematics graduates makes them highly sought after by employers. Career prospects for mathematics graduates are therefore excellent.
Choosing your career
There are several important general points which you should bear in mind as you consider the types of careers which would be best suited to your aspirations and capabilities.- The vast majority of graduates obtain employment
Typically, over 85% of graduates are either in employment or engaged in further study by the Christmas after they graduate. For mathematics graduates, the figure is well over 85%. Even in times of recession, graduates are in a much stronger position to gain employment than are other sections of the population. Do not be afraid to decline the offer of a job at age 18 if you have higher education as an alternative. If you are employable at 18, you will be even more employable with a degree at 21. - Your career should be satisfying to you
If you have the ability to obtain a degree, there are very many careers which you are capable of following. You will want to choose a career which you will find satisfying and fulfilling for 40 years or more. Such a choice requires careful thought and investigation. Listen to the guidance of your careers advisers; talk to parents and friends. But in the end, it is your choice. Don't go for a particular career just because someone says it's a ``good'' job. The job will not be ``good'' for you if you don't really want to do it. - You do not need to finalise your career choice before leaving school
The Mathematics programme of study for Key Stage 4 of the Northern Ireland Common Curriculum points out that ``at least for those who aspire to higher education, it is not necessary to focus too early on a very narrow range of careers''. Some people have decided on a particular career well before they leave school. That can have advantages - for example, it can increase their motivation for study. But the reality is that many people have rather different career aspirations at age 21 from those they had at age 16. Unless you are really sure of which career you wish to pursue, you are better to leave your options open. - A degree equips you to learn
Some degrees train you for a particular job. But most do not. All degree courses develop your abilities to learn. It is this quality which employers particularly value, because they will need you to learn the type of work they are offering you. They will also want you to be able to assimilate quickly subsequent changes in your work. - You should follow a degree course in which you are interested
It is important that, whatever degree course you follow, your interest and enthusiasm for the course is maintained. Motivation is crucial if you are to succeed with your course. Employers are looking for interested and successful (not necessarily brilliant!) students. If you have enjoyed mathematics at school and have done well, that is a good basis for studying the subject at university.
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:- 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.
- 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.
- Financial work
In recent years, up to half of all mathematics graduates have taken up a career in finance.
- 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. - 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. - 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.
- Accountancy
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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