Good career for a math-minded person who loves working with people

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>Things I like:

  • interacting with people
  • public speaking
  • math, statistics, data management/analysis, some computer programming
  • an intellectual challenge
  • problem solving
  • geographic mobility (across big cities, at least)</p>

<p>Things I DON’T like:

  • huge amounts of reading/writing (moderate amounts are fine)
  • rote memorization
  • sitting behind a desk ALL day
  • working 50+ hr weeks (I want to be a good husband/father)
  • too much traveling</p>

<p>I graduated last week with a BS in political science (4.0 GPA), but I took several tough math/statistics courses (differential equations, linear algebra, PhD courses in econometrics). As an undergrad, I was the primary author of multiple academic papers, at least one of which appears to be on its way to publication in a major public administration journal. My plan has been to become a poli sci professor.</p>

<p>However, I’m now second-guessing whether or not I want to stay in political science. I’m getting tired of all the reading/writing, and I don’t particularly enjoy all of the meticulous qualitative/theoretical work that is required. At the same time, I really enjoy (1) managing & analyzing huge datasets, (2) the intellectual challenge of academia, and (3) verbally discussing research idea/approaches/theories.</p>

<p>Ideally, I would like to find a job where the works seems useful and helpful to others (political science is often rather esoteric). At the same time, I’d like a job that pays fairly well (around 100K).</p>

<p>I am willing to completely switch careers. Going back to take prerequisite undergrad classes (in engineering, for example) would not bother me.</p>

2

<p>I don’t think there is any perfect job that fulfills all the pros and avoids the cons.</p>

<p>The problem is that it is very rare for a career to require public speaking, yet require little reading/writing. Typically, a job heavy on communication is going to be heavy on oral and written communication.</p>

<p>Also, there tends to be an inverse relationship between pay and drudgery/workload.</p>

<p>I was going to suggest management consulting because it fulfills all your pros, but the hours can be long for someone starting out (50+), you sit behind a desk all day, you do a lot of travel, and there is significant reading/writing.</p>

<p>Non-profit organization work might fit the bill, but the pay is low, unless you’re the CEO/leader, and there is lots of writing.
Political organization work might also fit, but the pay is also low, unless you’re high-ranked, and there is lots of writing.
Anything entrepreneurial does seem to fit the list, but it’s such a broad/vague category, and political science does not seem so suitable here.</p>