What can I do with a degree in mathematics?

The short answer is this:  There are many career opportunities for people with degrees in mathematics.  It is a common misperception that people with math degrees can only go on to teach mathematics.  This is far from the truth.  In today's information driven society, people with good mathematical and problem solving skills are in high demand.  Often industry seeks out people with mathematics degrees not for any particular mathematical skills they possess, but rather for their problem solving skills (since good mathematicians tend to be good problem solvers).  It is impossible to list every career where problem solving skills are needed since it includes almost every career in the universe!  However, below we list several common careers for people with degrees in mathematics OR look at the following link for more information:  www.mathclassifieds.org

Statistician

• implementation of market research design and design analysis
• Mean Starting Salary (B.S.) -- $32,000

Actuary

• estimating premiums for life and accident insurance and pension plans
• Evaluating risks and liabilities in business and construction
• Average Starting Salary (B.S.) -- $38,800

Operations Researcher

• project management
• production planning and scheduling
• For more detailed information, see http://www.informs.org/Edu/Career/booklet.html

Software Designer

• programs solutions to engineering or business problems
• designs algorithms in numerical computations

Educator

• teaching secondary, college and university mathematics
• scholarly research

Government Agency Employee

• design various surveys and censuses
• Intelligence gathering and analysis (National Security Agency, CIA, FBI)
• prepare analytical data
• produce demographic and economic research on other countries