Gap year job for a kid with BS in Physics and MA in Math?

Parents Forum
1

<p>DS will be graduating in May with BS in Physics, BA/MA in Mathematics. Has high GPA from a top tier Research U. Plans to go for PhD program but for a variety of reasons, might make sense to wait a year. </p>

<p>What kind of jobs could he potentially get in the gap year?</p>

2

<p>Math major jobs at the bachelor’s degree level are often in finance and actuarial areas, although that often depends on interest plus some relevant elective courses taken as an undergraduate (economics, finance, statistics).</p>

<p>Some physics majors do find engineering type jobs, although they would be second choice after actual engineering majors.</p>

<p>Both math and physics majors can adapt to computer software jobs, since the type of thinking that brings success in math and physics tends to indicate good ability to self-educate computer science. However, they would obviously be a bit behind actual computer science majors, and some amount of interest is required, of course.</p>

3

<p>Can he work in lab with a physics prof? My son & his roommate both did this before grad school. When Dec., Jan arrived, and he was flying all over the states, it was nice to have a supportive “boss”.</p>

4

<p>If he is plugged-in enough to be in a position to apply to PhD programs, he is probably plugged-in enough to get some sort of research job at his university (or related institution). That’s really the tried-and-true bridge between undergraduate studies and PhD programs.</p>

5

<p>I traveled and taught English during my gap year between undergrad and grad school. I needed a break from academics</p>

6

<p>Yes, there is probably the research job possibility. I was just wondering what other jobs might be available for such a kid. </p>

<p>Doing a gap year is something that was just brought up as a possibility so not sure what the likelihood that it will actually occur…</p>

<p>SlackerMom: I worked as a secretary for a year myself. This kid, however, will want to do math/science related stuff if he ends up taking a year off.</p>

7

<p>Consulting like McKinsey or Boston Consulting Group is common. </p>

<p>The one problem with gap years is that your skills can erode. Working in your field, like in someone’s lab, can be beneficial. But maybe your kid needs a break–it depends on why he wants the gap year.</p>

8

<p>He could also do Teach for America and teach physics or math.</p>

<p>This could be a nice thing on the resume’ if he is potentially interested in college faculty positions that are primarily teaching.</p>

9

<p>Why not get a career type job and just leave after a year? It’ll have better pay and better experience than doing something like teaching English in a foreign country or doing TFA. High GPA masters in Math from a top university will have plenty of options for career jobs.</p>

10

<p>"Consulting like McKinsey or Boston Consulting Group is common. "</p>

<p>I doubt that a student will go to Ph.D. after consulting :)</p>

11

<p>DS will be graduating in May with BS in Physics, BA/MA in Mathematics.</p>

<p>Teaching math in Pango Pango. (He’s likely never going to get another chance.)</p>

12

<p>The NSA hires mathematicians.</p>

13

<p>The lead time the NSA needs to hire is about a year.</p>

14

<p>Research experience and LOR’s are critically important for those applying to science PhD programs, especially the most competitive ones. I strongly suggest he start asking profs for opportunities do research under them at his current U starting after he graduates. Then he can ask for strong LOR’s from those profs. next fall when he sends in his grad school apps.</p>

15

<p>

</p>

<p>BCG requires a 2 year commitment if hired as an associate straight from undergrad according to a relative and some friends who worked for them. It’s also extremely competitive. </p>

<p>While one can bail after one year, it’s not recommended as if one looks for subsequent employment, the ones who know about that commitment will wonder why you bailed after one year. </p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I do know of a few former BGC colleagues of friends/relative who did go on to pursue PhDs after their 2 year stint. </p>

<p>However, many may find the high renumeration, discovery that they like this line of work, and possible prospects of a fully paid-for MBA at any program one can gain admission* to enticing enough to give up their PhD plans. </p>

<ul>
<li>Assuming satisfactory completion of 2 year stint with positive performance evaluations. Relative and a few friends ended up taking full advantage of that paid-for MBA package at the end of their stints.</li>
</ul>

16

<p>Contact AoPS (Arts of Problem Solving) and teach students who are truly interested and capable in math.</p>

17

<p>What would he like to do?</p>

<p>Surely between his professors and the career counseling office at this large research U, he’s got some ideas. If he doesn’t, start trolling your contacts for informational interviews.</p>

<p>Lots of kids don’t have a job at graduation, and do manage to find one.</p>

18

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19

<p>Just wanted to second whoever said that working at BCG probably wasn’t feasible right now. Even at “targets” (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Wharton…), only about 2% of students who apply are accepted and the recruiting process is long and arduous… and is already over.</p>

20

<p>I took a quick look at Microsoft Research, another opportunity to get paid to research and have a chance to get publications. Looks like for Internships, which are flexible as to length, you may need to be an enrolled student, but it would be worth checking for someone in his position. For straight up jobs, the only non-PhD researcher positions seem to be in India or China only.</p>

<p>He should define goals</p>

<p>a. need to acquire research for resume and get paid
b. just need to bank as much as possible, ie get CS job
c. care more about personal goals than pay, ie. travel and teach</p>