Almost done with math, what now?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential career paths and graduate school options for someone nearing the completion of a B.S. degree in Mathematics. Participants explore various fields that could complement a mathematics background, including chemistry, biology, computer science, and meteorology, among others.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about pursuing a career strictly in mathematics and seeks advice on graduate school options that align with their diverse interests.
  • Another participant suggests meteorology as a potential field of interest.
  • A participant with a background in mathematics shares their perspective that a rigorous math education is beneficial across various fields, citing examples from their personal and family experiences in different professions.
  • One participant questions the relevance of some fields to mathematics, expressing concern about needing remedial work if they were to switch to a different discipline.
  • The same participant acknowledges an interest in meteorology but notes the requirement of a PhD for significant roles in that field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the best career paths or the relevance of various fields to a mathematics background. Multiple competing views remain regarding the applicability of mathematics in different disciplines.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the necessary qualifications for certain fields and the potential need for additional education or training outside of mathematics.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering graduate school options after completing a mathematics degree, those exploring interdisciplinary fields that incorporate mathematics, and students interested in the applicability of their math skills in various careers.

erraticimpulse
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After this current year of school and then next I will have a B.S. degree in Math. But.. I don't think I really want a job that requires me to be a mathematician and nothing else. I'd like to see what options I have when I get to grad school. Are there many masters degrees that would be complimented by a background in math?

As far as my personal interests are concerned I'm interested in chemistry, biology, music, math (of course), computer science, genetics, anything that keeps me out of doors, journalism, and engineering.

Let me know what you guys think!
 
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Are you interested in meteorology ?
 
I think a rigorous math background, i.e. one that emphasizes problem solving and reasoning, is useful in almost any field.

According to a former student of mine who became a design analyst for the auto industry, math students are better able to learn new skills and techniques than others, because they are used to hard study.

The same holds for physics, e.g. I have heard that medical schools like physics majors for this reason. They are smart and know how to learn and analyze problem situations.

I majored in math and am a mathematics professor, my wife majored in math/math. ed., and is now a pediatrician. Our older son was a math major and is in the internet field. Our younger son was a math prodigy in high school, a fine arts major in college, a semi pro basketball player, and now a teacher of English as a second language.

Although intelligence does count as a basketball player, in my experience it is underappreciated by many coaches and scouts, so as a practical matter I would avoid that field.
 
Some of those fields look as if they have little if anything at all in common with math. In effect I would have to take a buttload of remedial work, right?

Don't get me wrong though. It's not that I'm not interested in math education I just want to know what my options are. If I ended up as a math teacher it definitely wouldn't be the end of the world for me :smile:

Meteorology does sound pretty interesting, but as far as I know you need to have a minimum of a PhD to do anything of any real interest.

Keep em comin guys! :biggrin:
 
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