Mathematics is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Mathematics
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
Industry
Career Areas
- Research
- Development
- Design
- Data Processing
- Testing
- Operations
- Quality Control
- Statistical Processing Control
- Environmental Analysis
- Consulting
Types of Employers
- Consulting firms
- Industries including:
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Aerospace
- Communications
- Machinery
- Electrical equipment
- Pharmaceuticals
- Other private industries
General Information
- 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 GPA 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.
Government
Career Areas
- Research
- Administration
Types of Employers
- State agencies involving research and problem-solving teams
- Federal agencies including:
- Defense
- Labor
- Justice
- Agriculture
- Health and Human Services
- Transportation
- Commerce
- Treasury
- NASA
- Library of Congress
Sample Occupations
- 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.
Market Research
Career Areas
- Data Collection
- Information Analysis
Employers
- Market research firms
- Consumer goods manufacturing firms
Sample Occupations
- 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.
Computers
Career Areas
- Programming: Systems, Applications
- Systems Analysis
- Data Processing
- Information Systems
- Software Development
- Networking
- Hardware
- Training
Employers
- 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
Sample Occupations
- 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.
Insurance
Career Areas
- Actuarial
- Underwriting
- Claims
- Risk Management
- Sales
Employers
- Insurance firms
Sample Occupations
- 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.
Securities
Career Areas
- Sales
- Research
- Operations
Employers
- National and regional brokerage firms
- Discount brokerage houses
- Commercial banks
- Financial organizations
Sample Occupations
- 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.
Banking
Career Areas
- Branch Management
- Credit Lending
- Operations
- Systems
- Trusts
Employers
- Commercial banks
- Regional banks
- Savings and loan associations
- Credit unions
Sample Occupations
- 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.
Education
Career Areas
- Teaching
Employers
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Colleges and universities
Sample Occupations
- 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.
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- Math majors develop transferable skills including critical thinking, problem diagnosis and solving, computer skills, and quantitative skills.
- A bachelor’s degree is often sufficient for entry-level positions, but an advanced degree may open the door to more upper-level opportunities. Pair a strong background in mathematics with another technical discipline such as computer science or engineering.
- Gain experience through volunteering, internships, and part-time or summer jobs.
- Develop a specific area of interest.
- Supplement curriculum with courses in business, economics, computers, or statistics for increased job opportunities.
- Demonstrate attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Build relationships with faculty for career information, contacts, and letters of recommendation.
- Join related student professional associations and seek leadership positions.
- Conduct informational interviews with professionals in areas of interest to enhance knowledge and make contacts.
- Stay informed of new developments and current trends in the field.
- Earn a master's degree in math, business, or related field for advanced positions or for consulting jobs.
- Become the treasurer of an organization.
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