Careers

What can a person do with a math degree after college?  

Teaching is one option, of course, and generally math teaching jobs are plentiful, especially at the middle and secondary levels.  As a profession, teaching is challenging, rewarding, and fun.  However, teaching is certainly not the only option available to a math major.

What are some other career options for math majors?  

A degree in math can take you just about anywhere you want to go in life because studying mathematics strengthens your ability to think carefully, clarify concepts, solve problems, and apply analytical tools.  Employers pay very good money for these abilities.  Choosing a math degree is one of the best career moves you can make.

A 2019 study by CareerCast.com of the top 200 jobs found that 6 of the top 10 jobs were math-related, including the number one job:  data science.  Being a mathematician came in at number 8.  

A mathematics degree has enabled our graduates to enjoy careers in

Actuarial Science
Accounting
Assessment
Business
Computer Programming
Education
Engineering
Finance
Higher Education
Law
Medicine
Music (Conducting)
Pharmacy
Risk Management
Software Engineering
Tech Support

Other career opportunites include becoming a/an

Astronaut
Biomathematician
Cryptologist
Data Scientist
Economist
Financial Analyst
Modeling and Simulation Analyst
Operations Research Analyst
Physicist
Software Analyst
Statistician
and many more . . .

Math-related jobs are available at:

Colleges and universities
Elementary, middle, and high schools
Microsoft, IBM, AT&T
NASA, Rockwell, Boeing
General Motors, Ford, Toyota
Insurance companies
Banks and other financial institutions
Many branches of the Federal Government 
Army, Navy, and other defense departments
National Security Agency
National Laboratories (Fermi, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, etc.)
Pharmaceutical companies
Airline and trucking companies
Center for Disease Control
Video game companies
Oil companies (Exxon, Shell, etc.)

Salary

You'll be happy to learn that you'll be well compensated should you choose a math-related career.  For current information about salaries and employment outlook, visit:

• Sloan Career Cornerstone Center
• Bureau of Labor Statistics

A little advice

To enhance your career opportunities, support your math major with a major or minor in a second field such as physics, computer science, or economics.  Also, become proficient in using computer applications, especially spreadsheets, and take a computer programming course.  Finally, earn a master’s or doctoral degree.

For more information, please visit our careers & jobs Web page.