jobs for math majors

BrownParent
Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:00:21 +0000

My daughter went into Comp Sci after soph year, her dept offered a math/CS degree and she was invited to both dept graduations, though it is considered a single degree and not double major there. She was a little too late, likely, to do the straight CS program. They also have an applied math/CS, and I don’t know the difference, honestly. She was able to do this because of having a lot of math from an early physics related program of study. She leaned toward the Theory side, but did do some more practical projects (cryptography) that were based on zero knowledge proofs if that means anything to you. I just mention because this kind of thing may be up your alley.

But I don’t see how you could be accepted to CS grad school having missed so many fundamental CS courses, without some post-bac courses.

Does your school offer a degree in computational biology? Hers does in CS as well. That may be hot right now. It is in the CS dept so more CS applies than bio. Is it possible to change now to that or a math/CS? I think it is wise of you to do that math work and realize it is not for you. It certainly isn’t for everyone and it is a hard road to get funded program and academic work.

In any case, it sounds like you will be pretty well positioned for a CS job from the work you have already done. You can keep adding to that sort of work for your CV if you stick to the same major. Google hires based on the person, not just for any particular job, once they want you, they will look around to see where you fit in. Look to see if you can get an internship, they pay well and they like top flight schools, as they used to say.

Also go to any on campus recruiting that is left in consulting or ibanking. Your experience in modeling will be valuable.