Careers in Mathematics

What are the chances of being killed in a car accident? What is the cost of treating cancer patients on a yearly basis? When companies need numbers crunched to determine the probability of events like death, sickness, accidents, natural disasters, and retirement in order to predict risk, they turn to actuaries for this data. Specific job duties of actuaries include compiling and analyzing statistical data, creating strategies that minimize risk, drafting reports that outline the implications of their research, and explaining study results to the stakeholders of the research.

When there is a business challenge that needs to be addressed, computer and information research scientists invent a technological way to do it. People in these jobs conduct research on complicated issues and use their expertise to create solutions that are used in business, health care, and scientific settings. Work duties include creating computing languages and tools, helping engineers with their computing problems, and conducting studies and publishing the results.

The work of economists can be seen in several different areas, from education to health care to the environment. As experts in the production and distribution of goods and services, economists study the problems in the economy and craft proposals on how to solve them. This work includes researching economic issues, using mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze financial data, and providing advice to organizations. In addition, these professionals contribute to the knowledge of the field by publishing articles in industry journals.

When companies and individuals need to make investment decisions, they factor in the expertise of financial analysts. These professionals are charged with being knowledgeable about trends in the markets and the performance potential of different kinds of investments in order to help their clients make sound choices. The specific job duties of this profession include making recommendations about financial portfolios, studying financial statements, and writing reports for clients about the status of their accounts.

Mathematicians use their analysis of facts and figures to find solutions to business problems. This position entails developing statistical models that are used to analyze data, interpreting mathematical information to make business decisions, and writing reports that explain calculations and how conclusions were reached. In addition, it’s important for these professionals to keep up with the latest mathematical research, so they read professional journals, attend trade conferences, and discuss industry trends with colleagues.

Operations research analysts use data to help organizations make decisions, create policies, and solve problems. Specific job duties include identifying the specific business problems that an organization needs to solve, collecting information from both human and technological sources, examining data to determine how a challenge can be addressed, and creating simulations that show how a solution will look in practice.

Mathematics, statistics, economics, and computer science teachers alike have the ability to inspire college students and get them excited about math careers. These teachers create a curriculum, as well as assignments and tests, designed to educate students on the class topic and challenge them to get the most out of the course. They also conduct research in their field and publish the findings in industry journals.

These professionals use statistical analyses to solve business, science, and engineering problems, among others. Their duties include developing statistical theories in response to a business challenge; evaluating the appropriate data points to consider; creating experiments, polls, and surveys to gather information; and analyzing data and coming to conclusions. In addition, statisticians create reports that explain their research processes and the conclusions they made.