fizix2

That actually uses the math you've learned?

I'm a math major, and it just hit me that most of the abstract math I'll be learning over the next four years has little-to-no application in the real world and the only way I'll ever see it again is if I go to grad school and do research in it. And the only way I'd ever see math again after that is if I become a math professor, and I despise academia with a burning fiery passion. Is that actually true, or are there jobs out there that let you solve new and interesting math problems but don't require you to go into academia?

Thanks

olgita

I don't know for sure, but my guess would be that it's mostly used in combination with physics/optics research. For instance, right now I'm reading a book on ellipsometry, which is closely related to optics, and it *definitely* has quite a lot of mathematics (including differential) in relation to the optical models for different materials.

olgita

*or research in any other science or engineering

oldelecdude

With an undergrad degree you can work for financial companies, in computer science or teach high school.

worried_mom

Have you been taking a "pure math" track (which really is geared to academia) instead of "applied math"? If you have supplemented your math classes with courses in economics, computer science, and/or physical sciences, you will be sought after by industry (especially in the science/engineering areas), financial institutions, and even government agencies. (NASA and NOAA both hire lots of math majors.)

mikemac

there are many jobs out there that require solving math problems, as worried_mom points out. However often they want at least a Masters degree if not a PhD to be on the research staff.

My suggestion is that in the fall you should start becoming a regular at your college career center. It's never too early to start (I take it you'll be a frosh), and done from the beginning you have a low-pressure side-job to your regular schooling. Also by starting early you'll find out what it takes to land internships; internships are "must-have" these days, helping set someone who's done a job and can explain why they're a fit for it from someone with the same degree who can only express a hope they'll like the job.

Weasel8488

Many financial services firms have Quant positions that require the use of advanced math. DE Shaw, for example, actively recruits top performers in the Putnam competition. The NSA also recruits math majors because abstract algebra and number theory have wide ranging applications to cryptography.

lethargytm

math=almost every job in the world.
engineering=every job in the world.

fizix2

people actually care about abstract algebra?! this is awesome!

thanks guys

BlueHawk

The NSA is reportedly the largest employer of mathematicians in the US. They do alot of work in cryptography, dunno about abstract algebra though.

wutangfinancial

Uh, take an economics course. This will teach you the principal of scarcity. Math majors are highly sought after. Very few people are math majors.
Thus, math majors are worth a lot of money.

fizix2

wow, so i could end up being a ninja

wutangfinancial

^yeah, I'm not a math major. But I kinda wish I was, sometimes.

aerialblue

Something can be scarce, and still have a very low demand.

That said, Math is a great major (being one myself). But I feel like it's very constrained to grad school stuff. There was a poster on here who talked about majoring in Math - it's always a good idea to couple a Math major with something else perceived as applicable: Econ, CS, EE, etc.

srunni

Math by itself won't do you much good, but there are 4 general areas you could go into, it seems:
* Economics/statistics - work for almost any company creating business models/predictions
* Engineering - tons of jobs in this area
* Computer stuff/cryptography - NSA
* Math education