What can you do with a degree in mathematics? Plenty!!! The field of mathematics offers a variety of exciting and rewarding career opportunities not only in the mathematical sciences but also in other disciplines for which a mathematical background is valuable. The Mathematics Department, through its advisement and various degree programs, provides the interested student with the necessary information, advice and mathematical knowledge that will best prepare him/her for entering and succeeding in careers in mathematics and related fields.

The American Mathematical Society, the Mathematical Association of America, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics are dedicated to providing career information and services to the mathematics community.  These three organizations have teamed up to provide a comprehensive career development website dedicated to Mathematical Science Careers that includes career profiles, employment survey data, and other career planning resources.

 On the Math-jobs.com website, math majors can search for jobs for mathematicians in many specialty areas, including Banking, Insurance, Finance, Statistics, Biology, Medicine, Academic, Teaching, General Management, and Technology.

NU Career Day
Firms in which NU alumni are employed

MATHEMATICS IN INDUSTRY:

Industry has opportunities for mathematicians at all levels. They are needed in such areas as operations research, statistics, computer science, applied mathematical physics and actuarial science. Industries which employ many mathematicians include: Aero-Space, Oil, Electrical Manufacturing, Communications, Data Processing and Insurance.

Operations Research

An individual in operations research constructs simple mathematical models (mathematical equations which represent real- life situations) of complex economic and business structures. These models are intended to predict the future needs of the company. The major mathematical tools for O.R. are Advanced Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Probability, Statistics and Computer Programming.

Statistics

An individual in statistics not only plays a role in operations research, but many of his/her assignments involve primarily the application of statistical methodology. Statistically sound design of industrial experiments, together with planned analysis of data in accordance with the experimental design, can be used to great advantage in improving products and processes. Manufacturers are being called on more than ever before to demonstrate the efficacy of their products and to substantiate their claims with scientific evidence. Most professional statisticians have graduate training in Statistics and Probability. Students embarking on a graduate education in Statistics should have good undergraduate preparation in mathematics including Matrix Algebra.

Computer Science:

In the field of Computer Programming and Data Processing opportunities are almost unlimited for mathematicians. There is a wealth of genuine mathematical problems in Computer Programming. The understanding and solution of such problems not only requires common sense but a sound knowledge of mathematics as well. It is recommended that undergraduate mathematics majors include in their preparation Computer Science courses, Linear Algebra and Numerical Analysis

Applied Mathematical Physics:

The phrase "applied" has traditionally meant someone with differential equations and physics orientation. This is still a fundamental field in industry, with a computer flavor. There is still a tremendous interest in solving equations of motion and those of steady state fields. The mathematician acts more as a consultant, being interested in several methods and trying to find which problems are best solved by each method. The applied mathematician should have a strong background in Physics, Analysis, Numerical Analysis and Computers.

Actuarial Science:

An actuary is a professional who is expert at the design, financing and operation of insurance plans of all kinds, and of annuity and welfare plans. The business of insurance involves the assumption of risks and the payment of claims. The actuary is responsible for seeing that the risk is properly defined and evaluated, that a fair price is charged for assuming the risk and that proper provision is made to pay all claims and expenses as they occur. Insurance company actuaries engage in a variety of other important activities ranging from research to management functions. An actuary should have good mathematical aptitude and a thorough background in Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability, Statistics, Numerical Analysis and Computer Science. Courses in Accounting, Economics, Marketing and Finance are also helpful.  Here are some helpful links for Actuarial science.

• Society of Actuaries (SOA)
  
• Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS)
  
• The Actuarial Grads Network - Lot's of information for potential actuaries. 
  
• D.W. Simpson and Co. - A good place to find a job and find out about salaries.
• Actex Publishing - Study material for the exams.

MATHEMATICS IN GOVERNMENT:

The government employs a number of mathematically trained people. The total spread of government activity covers a very wide range. Like industry, the government has laboratories where it carries out research programs related to its many special needs - space, defense, health, agriculture and the environment. Other government agencies, such as, Bureau of Standards, Weather Bureau and the Census Bureau, have great use of mathematically trained personnel. A combination of mathematics and statistics or mathematics and computer science is a valuable asset.

MATHEMATICS IN EDUCATION:

A large proportion of mathematicians are teachers by profession. There are essentially three different levels of mathematics teaching - Elementary/Secondary School Teaching, Junior/Community College Teaching and College/University Teaching. The customs regarding employment and the education necessary for employment differ according to level. The Mathematics Department, through the College of Education, offers a program leading to a B.A. degree in mathematics and teacher certification for those students wishing to teach at the elementary/secondary school level. For those wishing to teach at the Junior/Community or College/University levels, the department, through the College of Arts & Sciences, offers B.A. and B.S. programs in Mathematics which can provide a strong mathematics background for graduate training required at these levels.

Local, state and federal government agencies have a continual demand for skilled workers in all fields and majors.  Government careers can be especially rewarding for those individuals who have a desire to help people, contribute to society and improve international relations.

 For federal government job opportunities in the United States, visit USAJOBS, the official job site of the United States Government.  For more information on local and state government career opportunities in the United States, visit CareersInGovernment and GovernmentJobSearch.

 Niagara University has joined the Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit organization that “works to make the government an employer of choice for talented, dedicated Americans through educational outreach, research, legislative advocacy, and hands-on partnerships with agencies on workforce management issues.”  Individuals interested in the Partnership for Public Service and the many rewarding career opportunities available in public service should visit Partnership for Public Service - Work For USA.

 Those individuals interested in pursuing careers in Canada should visit JobFutures in Canada, a comprehensive government jobs site that includes estimated wages, future outlook and unemployment rates for hundreds of career fields.

INTERDISCIPLINARY AREAS:

The Twentieth Century has seen a remarkable increase in the use of mathematics in Biology, Medicine, Management and the Social Sciences - particularly Economics and Psychology. This has resulted in the emergence of new interdisciplinary professions in which mathematics plays a central role. The growing importance of these professions provides an opportunity to combine mathematical training with a serious interest in another discipline.

To meet the growing importance of these professions, the undergraduate degree programs in mathematics at Niagara have been structured so as to offer students an excellent foundation from which to launch careers in the many other related fields.

The programs are so designed as to enable a mathematics major to obtain a strong minor concentration (9-10 courses) in one of the interdisciplinary areas. The mathematics major with a knowledge of these related fields has a wider choice of employment opportunities.

For those students wishing a professional career in Law or Medicine, the Department closely coordinates the student's program with the pre-law or pre-med. advisory committee to assure adequate preparation for professional school entry.

*The Mathematical Association of America, Professional Opportunities in the Mathematical Sciences, Eleventh Edition, 1983.

Career Day

Each year several alumni return to Niagara, discuss their careers and how their Math backgrounds help them in their careers, and provide information and guidance to present students. The next Career Day will be in Spring 2002.