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What Do Mathematicians Do? An Overview of Undergraduate Mathematics

Steven Clontz, John Estes

Section 1.3 Careers in Mathematics

Subsection 1.3.1 Introduction

What can you do with your degree? What doors does a background in mathematics open? What is a mathematician? You can be a math teacher, but what if you’re not interested in education as a career?
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It’s good to be thinking of life after college, even if you just started your college days. A little research into what career options are open to you will help set a vision for your future, and a vision for the future will provide a path of clear steps to get you there.
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Remark 1.3.1.

  1. There is no success without discipline.
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  2. There is no discipine without vision.
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Also remember that a huge part of the college experience is exploring options and figuring out what path fits you best. Do not feel pressured to have everything figured out yet. Here we are simply showing what’s out here.
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Activity 1.3.1. What Careers are there?

Northwestern University compiled a list of careers using mathematics. Read through the article Best Math Careers.
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graduate.northeastern.edu/resources/best-math-careers/
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Do any of these careers seem interesting to you?
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Question 1.3.2. What Careers are there?

Find three careers (one of them resulting directly from a mathematics degree) that you can follow with your degree. Be sure to include your sources.
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Question 1.3.3. Canvas Discussion.

Locate the Canvas discussion post "Mathematical Careers", and share a resource highlighting one of the careers you found to be interesting.
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Question 1.3.4. Career Interest.

Do any of the careers you mentioned or found in Canvas seem like a career you would like to pursue? Why or why not?
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Question 1.3.5. Steps Towards a Career.

After reviewing several careers, choose one and describe steps you can take to obtain that position.
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Subsection 1.3.2 College after college

Some of us are destined for more school than others. You might find yourself wanting more math than what your undergrad experience can accommodate. It could be that you decide to earn a Master’s or a PhD.
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If you have any interest in graduate school, you’ll want to make sure to build a resume of things graudate programs look for.
  1. high GPA
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  2. interest in research (conferences, posters, thesis)
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  3. a Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) if possible.
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