What can you do with a Math major? What does a mathematician do?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential career paths available to individuals with a mathematics major. Participants explore various applications of mathematics in different fields, express personal interests, and debate the implications of pursuing a math degree. The conversation includes both theoretical and practical considerations, as well as personal anecdotes and preferences regarding career choices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest various career options for math majors, including cryptographer, professor, actuary, financial analyst, and strategist.
  • Others express a desire to find careers that contribute positively to society, explicitly avoiding roles in financial firms or video game development.
  • A participant emphasizes that mathematics is foundational to many professions, including medicine and engineering, suggesting that studying math can lead to impactful careers.
  • There is a debate about the distinction between applied and pure mathematics, with some arguing that applied math leads to more job opportunities, while others contend that pure math can also lead to diverse career paths.
  • Some participants challenge the notion that a math major is limited to becoming a math teacher, citing examples of math majors working in programming and other fields.
  • Concerns are raised about the use of double negatives in communication, leading to a discussion about clarity in expression.
  • Participants discuss the arbitrary nature of the distinction between pure and applied mathematics and the varying opportunities available depending on individual skills and specializations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the career prospects for math majors, particularly in relation to the value of pure versus applied mathematics. There is no clear consensus on the best path or the implications of choosing one specialization over another.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the opportunities for math majors can vary significantly based on the specific courses taken and the institution attended, highlighting the importance of individual choices in shaping career outcomes.

  • #31
matt grime said:
There is nothing on my web page, or the department's that states I am a 3rd year PhD student as far as I am aware.

Don't say that loud..Actually Lisa! has crush on you...So she presumed you to be a bit younger guy.:biggrin:
 
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  • #32
So where does your chedddar come from matt? :biggrin:
 
Last edited:
  • #33
Where do you think the salary of any University employee comes from?
 
  • #34
So you get paid to do mathematical research?
 
  • #35
That's what happens at universities, or is this news to you?
 
  • #36
its not a uncommon thing that people sometimes don't know trivial things..but are always afraid of raising boldly their point.
 
  • #37
i think a math major can do most anything afterwards, and maybe do it better thah most. i have heard for example that physics majors are favored in med school acceptances.

there is a reason for this - physics majors know how to reason and solve problems.

i think the same applies to successful math majors.

thinking skills are prized in maths and this makes math majors good at whatever they choose to do that has a reasoning aspect to it.

just a guess as i myself stayed in the fold, i teach and do math. but my wife was a math major and is a crackerjack doctor, and our older son was a math major and is a successful internet soft and hardware guru.

our other son scored higher than me on SAT math, and is a talented artist and English teacher and was briefly a semi - pro basketball player.
 
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  • #38
Aw so that's why some people say if you want to be a successful person, study math even if you don't want to do math in thee future!
*sigh*
 
  • #39
What can one do with a maths degree...

I did a masters, then a PhD, now I write papers...

Some of my friends became accountants :biggrin:
 

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