This website uses cookies to ensure site visitors get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies and Privacy Statement. To find out more, please visit Southern University's Privacy Statement.

I agree

Careers

Careers

Mathematics is one of the oldest sciences known to man. Mathematicians create new mathematical theories and techniques to solve practical problems in business, government, engineering, operations research, computer and information science actuarial science, and the physical, biological, and social sciences. Because of the diversity of today's mathematics, many different companies employ mathematicians. Companies such as: Allstate Insurance Company, Aluminum Company of America, Ames Laboratory, AT&T, BellSouth Services Company, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, The Boeing Company, Burlington Industries, Inc., Chevron Corporation, Chrysler Corporation, Entergy, Exxon Production Research Company, Frito-Lay,\PepsiCo. Inc., General Electric, GTE Corporation, Honeywell Inc., Louisiana State Insurance Commission, Motorola Inc., Polaroid Corporation, Price Waterhouse, Management Advisory Services Department, Snap on Tools Corporation, Texaco, 3M and The Upjohn Company are just a few of the many companies that have employed mathematicians.

 

Almost every bureau or branch of the federal government employs mathematicians in some capacity. Mathematicians, statisticians, operations researchers, cryptologists, and actuaries work in the Department of Health and Human Services, the General Accounting Office, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Energy, NASA, the National Security Agency, and the Department of Defense. The Department of Defense has been known as a primary Federal employer of mathematicians.

 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a median annual wage for a mathematician at $101,360 in 2012.  Industries employing the largest numbers of mathematicians in 2012 were: Federal government; Scientific research and development services; Educational services: state, local, and private; Management of companies and enterprises; and Manufacturing.  The projected percent change in employment for mathematicians by BLS is 23 percent from 2012 to 2022.    

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Mathematicians,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians.htm , Retrieved Feb. 17, 2014. 

 

Mathematicians holding at least a bachelor's degree who meet State certification requirements may become high school teachers.  Mathematicians holding a master's degree or PhD may teach and/or conduct research on the college level.  Outside of teaching, two of the most challenging careers in mathematics are actuarial science and operations research.

Actuary

 Actuaries are professionals highly trained to evaluate the financial impact of a future risk. They are the architects of the insurance industry. Actuaries analyze relevant statistical data and develop mathematical models to calculate the dollar value associated with a loss or injury in the future.

 Operations Research

Operations research is a scientific approach to analyzing problems and making decisions. It uses mathematics and mathematical modeling on computers to forecast the implications of various choices and to pinpoint the best alternatives.

 University Professor/Elementary and Secondary Teacher

Some mathematicians devote their careers to training and assisting young mathematicians and others. This is a very rewarding and challenging career. The usefulness of today's technology will soon be depleted and it is up to up and coming mathematicians and scientists to surge forward into the New Millennium. From Kindergarten level to a Ph. D. Degree in Mathematics, each student should be afforded expert training and assistance in his/her quest for excellence.

 

Want Additional Information?

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics           

          http://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians.htm#tab-1    for statistics/information on employment,

                                                                                     training, job outlook, earnings, and related occupations.

 

  • Mathematical Associations  

                  Mathematical Association of America (MAA)

        http://www.maa.org/careers/profiles.html  for profiles covering a wide variety of careers for which a background in   

                                                                                     the mathematical sciences is useful.

Want Networking Resources?

 

        National Association of Mathematicians (NAM)

http://www.nam-math.org/    for information of a nonprofit professional organization established to promote  

                                              excellence in the mathematical sciences and the mathematical development of under-

                                              represented minority mathematicians  and mathematics students.                           

                                    The Benjamin Banneker Association (BBA) 

                    http://bannekermath.org/  for information from a nonprofit professional organization with a vision that all children -                                                             particularly African American children -  have access to the highest quality

                                                             mathematical education.