Anybody here have a degree in math? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Slims · 06-11-2003, 04:07 PM

Edited.

Slims

Corneo · 06-11-2003, 11:13 PM

Well these are a list of companies that recruit over at University if California-Davis for Stats/Mathematics majors :

American Statistical Association
Exide Technologies
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
The Alexander Group, Inc.

Perhaps talk to your couselors and professors and ask them where their students got hired. As far as I know, mathematics is a great majpr but people would much more like engineers with strong math skills.

hurting_vlasic · 06-12-2003, 03:09 PM

I'm a math major. I do financial analysis for Fannie Mae. A lot of my fellow grads do programming, working at defense contractors like Norhtrup Grumman and such, a bunch are at NSA in math or cryptanalysis. A bunch are teaching high school. A few are in law school, a few in grad school in math. I'm told law schools like math majors, we tend to be good at the details associated with law.

Your biggest problem is that the job market just sucks right now. A few years ago, all the math majors I knew were getting nice jobs without much trouble. Now we're all struggling, along with most of the rest of the country. This may not be the time to graduate early, and I honestly don't think your choice of major should depend on when it allows you to get out of school. Math is not an easy subject, and if you aren't sure you want to do it, I wouldn't recommend it. Good luck though.

platypus · 06-12-2003, 04:32 PM

What can you do? Programming or Teaching. Probably others, but that's all I could ever think of.

I was a member of the Major-of-the-Month club. Majored in Biology and Chemistry with the idea of becoming a doctor. I worked for one during a summer and decided that wasn't what I wanted to do anymore. I switched majors and got a degree in Applied Mathematics. I have been a programmer since my first job out of college.

I don't know what your computer experience is, but mine was almost nil - only a couple of programming courses. Keep in mind though that alot of what a math major brings to a job is ability to think analytically. If you can look at a problem and chart a step by step solution, then the coding is just plug and play.

I have worked in several different industries - auto, government, banking, commercial real estate, etc. My first job took me from Denver, where I graduated, to Flint Michigan (aka Dresden). I have since worked in the D.C area and am now in NY. The trick is to be flexible. Don't restrict yourself to industry or location.

I would guess that your prospects (short and long term) will be better with a degree in math rather than in geology. And if you can graduate early, do it. The sooner you get into the job market, the better. No sense running your school bills up while waiting for a turn in the economy. It could be years, not semesters. Better to be working and gaining experience.

As far as expected salary, I have no idea. I made 22k right out of college. Wasn't bad in 1986. Here in NY, I've seen entry level positions go for 30-60k, depending on experience and pressing need. Might not be that high in NC, but then your cost of living would probably be lower.

Good luck.

oblar · 06-13-2003, 07:53 AM

i would say goto grad school.. job market stinks right now and try to see if you can get a fellowship or anything where the university will pay for living/tuition expenses while you get your masters..

hopefully the economy is back up, and if it isnt you are still in a lot better shape and you shouldnt be in anymore debt.

as far as I am.. my math skills kind of lack, but I am in engineering.. I hope to get a masters in EE or ECE. Either way I am hoping that degree will allow me a better job.

sngx1275 · 06-14-2003, 02:21 PM

I just graduated University of Missouri-Rolla with a Geology and Geophysics degree with emphasis in Groundwater and Environmental Geochemistry. Hadn't found a job so I decided to go to graduate school for Engineering Management. I guess what I'm saying is maybe stick with geology get a math minor or something, and then see about grad school. If you really want to get into the work place see if you can get a Co-Op or something. Its a nice break from school, and expierence that will help you get a good job when you graduate.

Leviathan[NCV] · 06-14-2003, 07:42 PM

There isn't a whole lot of programming that uses extensive math, unless you go into 3d game development.

Best of luck.

06-11-2003, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	Anybody here have a degree in math? Edited. Slims Last edited by Slims; 12-20-2010 at 06:28 PM..

06-12-2003, 04:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
platypus Essen meine kurze Hosen Location: NY Burbs	What can you do? Programming or Teaching. Probably others, but that's all I could ever think of. I was a member of the Major-of-the-Month club. Majored in Biology and Chemistry with the idea of becoming a doctor. I worked for one during a summer and decided that wasn't what I wanted to do anymore. I switched majors and got a degree in Applied Mathematics. I have been a programmer since my first job out of college. I don't know what your computer experience is, but mine was almost nil - only a couple of programming courses. Keep in mind though that alot of what a math major brings to a job is ability to think analytically. If you can look at a problem and chart a step by step solution, then the coding is just plug and play. I have worked in several different industries - auto, government, banking, commercial real estate, etc. My first job took me from Denver, where I graduated, to Flint Michigan (aka Dresden). I have since worked in the D.C area and am now in NY. The trick is to be flexible. Don't restrict yourself to industry or location. I would guess that your prospects (short and long term) will be better with a degree in math rather than in geology. And if you can graduate early, do it. The sooner you get into the job market, the better. No sense running your school bills up while waiting for a turn in the economy. It could be years, not semesters. Better to be working and gaining experience. As far as expected salary, I have no idea. I made 22k right out of college. Wasn't bad in 1986. Here in NY, I've seen entry level positions go for 30-60k, depending on experience and pressing need. Might not be that high in NC, but then your cost of living would probably be lower. Good luck. __________________ Out the 10Base-T, through the router, down the T1, over the leased line, off the bridge, past the firewall...nothing but Net.

06-13-2003, 07:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
oblar Über-Rookie Location: No longer, D.C	i would say goto grad school.. job market stinks right now and try to see if you can get a fellowship or anything where the university will pay for living/tuition expenses while you get your masters.. hopefully the economy is back up, and if it isnt you are still in a lot better shape and you shouldnt be in anymore debt. as far as I am.. my math skills kind of lack, but I am in engineering.. I hope to get a masters in EE or ECE. Either way I am hoping that degree will allow me a better job. __________________ "All that we can do is just survive. .All that we can do to help ourselves is stay alive." - Rush

06-11-2003, 11:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Corneo Insane	Well these are a list of companies that recruit over at University if California-Davis for Stats/Mathematics majors : American Statistical Association Exide Technologies Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. The Alexander Group, Inc. Perhaps talk to your couselors and professors and ask them where their students got hired. As far as I know, mathematics is a great majpr but people would much more like engineers with strong math skills.

06-12-2003, 03:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
hurting_vlasic Upright	I'm a math major. I do financial analysis for Fannie Mae. A lot of my fellow grads do programming, working at defense contractors like Norhtrup Grumman and such, a bunch are at NSA in math or cryptanalysis. A bunch are teaching high school. A few are in law school, a few in grad school in math. I'm told law schools like math majors, we tend to be good at the details associated with law. Your biggest problem is that the job market just sucks right now. A few years ago, all the math majors I knew were getting nice jobs without much trouble. Now we're all struggling, along with most of the rest of the country. This may not be the time to graduate early, and I honestly don't think your choice of major should depend on when it allows you to get out of school. Math is not an easy subject, and if you aren't sure you want to do it, I wouldn't recommend it. Good luck though.

06-14-2003, 02:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
sngx1275 Loser Location: Central Missouri	I just graduated University of Missouri-Rolla with a Geology and Geophysics degree with emphasis in Groundwater and Environmental Geochemistry. Hadn't found a job so I decided to go to graduate school for Engineering Management. I guess what I'm saying is maybe stick with geology get a math minor or something, and then see about grad school. If you really want to get into the work place see if you can get a Co-Op or something. Its a nice break from school, and expierence that will help you get a good job when you graduate.

06-14-2003, 07:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Leviathan[NCV] Well... Location: afk	There isn't a whole lot of programming that uses extensive math, unless you go into 3d game development. Best of luck.