What career path do I have with a math degree?

You've worked hard to earn a degree in math. But now you're wondering what you're going to do with it.

Explore some career options, depending on the type of degree you earned.

Physicist

If you like studying how matter and energy react, then becoming a physicist may be in your future!

Physicists study, design, and test theories through complex mathematics. Some duties include:

• Developing scientific models

• Performing mathematical calculations

• Designing new scientific equipment

• Developing computer software

Economist

If you like studying, collecting, and examining economic data and advising on economic decisions, then an Economist may be a great future job!

Economists have strong decision making, research, and forecasting skills. They study productions and distributions and make forecasts for future investments. Some duties include:

• Research economic issues

• Conduct surveys and collect data

• Interpret and forecasts financial markets

• Advise businesses on economic topics

Honorable Mentions: university professor, engineer

Mathematician or Statistician

If you like collecting and analyzing data to solve problems, then maybe a mathematician and statistician would be a good career fit for you!

Mathematicians and statisticians find relationships in data sets, then use that knowledge to develop new strategies for company improvement. Some duties include:

• Analyzing data

• Applying computational techniques

• Solving problems

• Developing mathematical rules

Post-Secondary Teacher

If you have a desire to foster the next generation of math learners, then maybe becoming a post-secondary teacher would be a good career fit for you.

Post-secondary teachers teach high level math courses to students at community colleges and some other educational institutions. Some duties include:

• Lesson planning

• Collaborating with the college

• Developing courses

• Teaching math

Honorable mention: information research scientist

Actuary

If you like to analyze economic costs and uncertainty, then being an actuary may be a good fit for you!

Actuaries are certified analysts and may work as consultants traveling to meet prospective clients. Some duties include:

• Compile and analyze statistical data

• Estimate probability and cost of events

• Design insurance policies

• Calculate cash reserves

Budget Analyst

If you enjoy organizing finances, then being a budget analyst may be a good career for you!

Budget analysts use mathematics to prepare budgets and plan spending, and they also create financial reports. Some duties include:

• Monitoring an organization's spending

• Estimating future financial needs

• Developing an organization's budget

• Providing advice and details of finances

Honorable mentions: database administrator, financial manager

Bookkeeper or Auditing Clerk

If you like recording and keeping up with financial transactions and using spreadsheets and databases, then maybe being a bookkeeper or an auditing clerk would be a good career fit for you.

Bookkeepers or auditing clerks reconcile records, and create balance sheets and income statements. Some duties include:

• Number crunching

• Bank analysis

• Finding inaccuracies

• Working with financial records

Calibration Technician

If you like working with measuring devices, then being a calibration technologist or technician might be a good career fit for you!

Calibration technologists or technicians determine calibration requirements by analyzing data. Some duties include:

• Calibrate scientific equipment

• Analyze project data

• Maintain or repair measurement devices

• Conduct calibration tests

Honorable mentions: finance or accounting, web development, insurance claims processor, loan officer with a bank

Photo by Magnet.me on Unsplash

This is Jill. She just earned her Bachelor's degree in mathematics. She loves budgeting and organizing finances, but she also loves traveling, researching, and working with financial records.

She's a bit undecisive about which career might be her best fit.

What will you do with your math degree?

As you can see, there are so many career paths to consider with a math degree! Having a math degree, whether an Associate's degree or Doctorate degree, can provide a basis for other career options as well!

Photo by Raghav Modi on Unsplash

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