When kids think about what they want to be when they grow up, they may day dream about becoming an athlete or a musician or maybe a firemen or hairdresser. While all of those professions require some amount of math to be used, they don’t require math degrees. However, there are lots of other professions that you can go into with a math degree, specifically. Math degrees can open doors to lots of potential careers, including many that are new and upcoming because of advancements in technology.
Now, more than ever, math degrees are becoming very valuable. They are also highly adaptive, as trends in science and tech continue to develop. New theories that are centered around field-specific needs, such as quantum mechanics, are rapidly developing and evolving from year to year and even sometimes from semester to semester. Math majors are constantly exploring new challenges as more is discovered in the field and there are so many jobs they can lead to. Here are some of the career paths you can take with a math degree.
Aerospace
Previously many thought that this was considered more part of engineering, however, as research for military and space programs continues, both the private and public sectors are realizing that math graduates can help with future problem solving. Ever heard the phrase “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to…” Well, a lot of aerospace professionals are literal rocket scientists and the truth is, and most of the complex notions that you need to know and build on to become an aerospace engineer generally involve a lot of physics and a lot of math. There is schooling beyond just a bachelor’s degree to work on many aerospace projects. Many of them have doctoral or post- doctoral level degrees, but a bachelors or masters in math is certainly one of the degrees that can get you there.
Information Technology
Jobs in this profession are closely related to computer science, with information technology being more focused on hands-on material like technical support or systems administration vs. programming and coding (learn more about how coding and math are best buds here). Everything relating to computers is only increasing in demand which makes information technology a good source for jobs. As computers are being used to run more of our lives and store more of our information, computer technology must keep up with demands to increase security and keep technology operating as its best. Perpetually updating existing systems requires lots of planning and implementation to make sure that as new systems are upgraded, old systems remain up to prevent security breaches. Avoiding these breaches for all companies who require security is something that requires a lot of people… and a lot of math degrees.
Accounting
Accounting and finance are a part of every business and many peoples’ lives. When people think of accounting professionally, they often think of auditors and CPAs, but the world of accounting also includes positions like forensic accounting, tax accounting and corporate accounting. Accountants must have a degree in math and often have to complete internship requirements. They also take more specialized courses and sometimes have to pass industry-specific tests to become certified or hired for certain positions.
Accountants often become business owners or eventually Chief Financial Officers or Chief Executive Officers because of the comprehensive knowledge they end up learning about all facets of a business. Despite that accountants might just seem like number crunchers, they generally have overviews of all ins and outs of a business, which makes them good C-team members.
Logistics
With so many big businesses in the world today, business world is in need of logisticians more than ever right now. Meeting precise, tight deadlines and schedules for transportation, and managing massive stores of inventory are all done using math and technology these days so that logisticians have become exerts in supply chain. Being that time is money often for businesses, logisticians are very business critical. For instance, if a Nike logistician loses sight of a shipment of the newest Air Jordans going to all Dick’s Sport Goods stores for a new release and the phones are a few days delayed, people might go to another retailer and that retailer would likely run out. Not having product on the shelf for a few days during a critical time could have very severe financial impact for both the supplier, Nike and the retailer, Dick’s Sporting Goods. It’s complex calculations that are used to ensure supply chain dynamics work like they’re supposed to in order to make the company’s bottom line good. Math graduates are perfect for this kind of job!
The options above are really just a few of the many ways math graduates can use their degrees to be successful. Technology and math, in particular, really have a strong relationship and the evolution of where math degrees go will become more interesting as we keep advancing technologically. One thing is for sure, there will be plenty of jobs out there for math professionals, so, come on over to the math side and come visit us at Mathnasium of Parker!
