Many students who choose to major in Mathematics do so because they enjoy working with numbers and solving complex mathematical problems, but are unsure of what their career options might be. A quick Google search of, “what can I do with a mathematics degree?” yields great, but narrow, results – statistician, mathematician, and math teacher appear as top choices – while in reality the options are much more expansive.
Mathematics majors are detail-oriented, quick to assess and solve complex problems, and able to recognize patterns among disparate data points. They are adept at calculus, mathematical modeling, linear algebra, and graph theory; these skills are essential to the fields of engineering, physics, law, finance, insurance, management…the list goes on! Nearly every industry can benefit from the analytical skills and knowledge that come from the study of mathematics, which can make the exploration process daunting for students who are unsure about the next step.
While some students choose to add a second major or a minor, some will focus solely on the study of mathematics. One option is not necessarily better than the other, but if you are interested in studying Mathematics, it can be useful to add other technical skills to your repertoire. Common double majors, minors, and/or concentrations include: Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Finance, Geography, Mechanical Engineering, and Political Science. Some Mathematics majors will choose to continue their education at the graduate level, but it depends on their career goals and how they hope to use math in the workplace.
Mathematics graduates can be found in a number of industries. Sample job titles of DU alumni include:
- Assistant Director of Budget and Planning
- Associate Application Developer
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Banking Analyst
- Network Engineer
- Patent Attorney
- Quality Assurance Project Manager
- Systems Engineer
- Technical Writer
So, what can you do with a major in mathematics? Quite a bit. If you are exploring your career options, take some time to reflect on what interests you about the study of mathematics as well as where your strengths and interests lie. Which concepts come naturally? What are some real-world problems that you believe could be solved with mathematics? What types of work environments or occupations will complement your attention to detail and problem-solving skills?
Be sure to connect with our alumni, too; LinkedIn in an excellent way to learn more about specific, concrete career paths taken by those who have come before you.
