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What Should I Major In If I'm Good At Math  Research Paper

¶ … decision to become a math major should not be taken lightly. Recent graduates are generally required to have a master's degree and the job market for mathematicians is competitive ("Mathematician: Summary" 2012). In 2010, there were only 3,100 positions for mathematicians in the U.S. And the need is expected to increase by only 16% between 2010 and 2020. Those who are able to secure a position as a mathematician generally work in federal agencies and in private science and engineering research companies. In 2010, the median salary for mathematicians was $47.78 per hour. Given the competitive nature of the mathematician job market, math majors frequently augment their course of study with other course work or complete a double major ("Mathematicians: How to become a mathematician" 2012). For example, a math major who would like to secure a position in engineering research would benefit from engineering coursework or getting a second degree in engineering. Taking a multidisciplinary approach gives job...

College graduates with math skills can fill positions in computer programming, systems analysis, systems engineering, and statistics, but their coursework should reflect the goal of finding a position in these professions. For example, there were an estimated 25,100 positions for statisticians in 2010, who were earning a median salary of $35.02 per hour ("Statisticians: Summary" 2012). Mathematicians with a bachelor degree can also sometimes find work in government agencies or as a school math teacher, but to teach at the college level a master's or doctorate degree is generally required ("Mathematicians: How to become a mathematician" 2012).
Should a math major be interested in risk assessment (actuarial science) in business, then…

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References

"Actuaries: Summary." Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Last modified April 5, 2012. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/actuaries.htm.

Kling, Jim. "The mathematical biology job market." Science Careers. Published 27 Feb. 2004. http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2004_02_27/noDOI.6305720559640560046.

"Mathematicians: How to become a mathematician." Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Last modified March 29, 2012. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians.htm#tab-4" target="_blank" REL="NOFOLLOW" style="text-decoration: underline !important;">http://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians.htm#tab-4.

"Mathematicians: Summary." Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Last modified March 29, 2012. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians.htm.
"Statisticians: Summary." Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Last modified June 26, 2012. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/statisticians.htm.
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