4 Reasons to NOT be a Math Major (Mathematics Major)
What Can You Do With a Math Degree?
A math degree allows the holders to get not only math-related jobs but also those that attempt to solve real-world problems. So, in other words, it can pave the way for various career paths. Since math is considered a universal language, math majors are in demand across all kinds of industries across the globe.
Refrain from assuming that majoring in math will leave you moving from one job to the next doing nothing but adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing numbers.
There are many industries and professions that graduates with a math degree can enter. Some common examples are:
It goes without saying that there are many jobs a bachelor’s in math holders can hold — with a math degree and a splendid performance in college, running out of career opportunities to grab should be the least of your concerns!
Here are some jobs you may apply for armed with a degree in math:
As an actuary, you have to utilize math, statistics and financial theory in order to analyze economic risks and uncertainties. Most actuaries are employed by insurance companies, some of whom work in offices, while others travel.
Data analysis and problem-solving — that’s how the work of statisticians can be best summed up. With a projected growth rate that’s so much faster than average, employment opportunities for statisticians come aplenty.
Collecting and analyzing data and trends in order to be able to identify economic issues are some of the primary roles of economists. In most instances, economists work with statisticians and other economists.
Because of their critical and analytical thinking skills, math majors make for some of the finest market research analysts, who are tasked with studying market conditions and assessing the potentiality to sell.
Working as a financial analyst, you are responsible for guiding companies, businesses and even individuals in decisions about expenditure in order to rake in profit. The vast majority of financial analysts work in offices.
What data scientists do is gather, process and analyze data in order to be able to answer complex questions. Most math majors can make for great data scientists for their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
As the name suggests, your primary role as a software tester is to identify problems or bugs with applications or programs and report them to the developer. Most software testers work for software publishers or in manufacturing.
A management consultant, simply put, is someone who analyzes a company or organization’s current operation and recommends ways to improve efficiency. In many instances, management consultants travel a lot.
Those who work as purchasing agents are tasked with procuring products and services. While it’s true that employment is on a decline, about 45,800 job openings for purchasing agents are available each year.
Working as a math teacher, your duties and responsibilities are obvious: design and teach academic lessons, thus arming high schoolers with the mathematical knowledge and skills necessary to attend college and the job market.
It was mentioned earlier that attending graduate school after obtaining a bachelor’s in math can make you eligible to apply for and land more jobs with higher pay.
Although it’s true that a master’s in math can take at least two years to complete, the return on investment (ROI) can make all the extra work and cost worth it.
Here are some of the top jobs that a master’s in math can help you land:
How to Know if This Major Is the Right Fit for You
Students who enjoyed math classes in high school and performed well in them, particularly in higher level and advanced placement courses, will likely be good candidates for math majors in college. This major involves a lot of time in study groups or meeting with teaching assistants to master especially tricky concepts. Because mathematics is a fairly broad field, with topics ranging from trigonometry to calculus, statistics to number theory, you’ll want to make sure you have an affinity for the breadth of the major, or at least an interest in its many forms.
Discover the perfect major for you based on your innate wiring. The Innate Assessment sets you up for success by pairing you with majors, colleges and careers that fit your unique skills and abilities.
Men are better in math than women
If you are a female, chances are that this myth might leave you thinking that you are less likely to succeed in college as a math major. But there is no truth to this — it’s just that more men won’t admit that they can’t do math.
According to research by the University of Missouri-Columbia(2), this dangerous myth is a cause of poor self- development in women pursuing Math, which leads to their underachievement.
FAQ
Is being a math major worth it?
What are math majors good at?
- Physicist. Physicists obviously need to understand math to do their jobs effectively. …
- Mathematician. …
- Aerospace Engineer. …
- Economist. …
- Actuary. …
- Statistician. …
- Cryptographer. …
- Financial Analyst.
Is it smart to major in math?
Is math a good major for the future?