This is the fourth in a series of posts designed to shine a bright spotlight on one segment of the STEM career path. We have already discussed Science, Technology, and Engineering. Today our focus is on Math.

Career paths we have assigned to the Science or Engineering categories also require a high skill level in mathematics. I won’t repeat those options here; instead, I’ve listed some new choices unique to those who study and seek a career heavily centered on mathematics.

Actuarial Analyst: People in this line of work use probability and statistics to figure risks, costs, and other things related to the insurance industry.

Accountant: Virtually every business needs an accountant to manage budgets, analyze profits and costs, calculate taxes, and anything else related to the financial operation of a business. This area of expertise is also one that lends itself well to the entrepreneur who can open her own accounting firm.

Statistician: There are simply too many options to list in this line of work!  You can apply your expertise in such fields as medicine, finance, epidemiology, marketing, ecology, national defense, and many, many more as a statistician. Check out ASA’s career center for more information.

Academia and Teaching: You could become a math teacher at any level of education, from primary school to the university level. With a higher degree, you could conduct research while being a professor at a university.

Financial Analyst: There are many ways to use your math education in the financial industry, including investment and stock market analysis, mortgage backing, foreign exchange, stock trading, to name just a few.

Government: If you see yourself working in the public sector, opportunities exist with such agencies as the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, the armed forces, and many others, working as an analyst, managing budgets, or being a mathematician.

Climate Analyst: In this field, you will apply math to produce models, identify patterns, and forecast weather events for the National Weather Service and other organizations.

Forensic Analyst: If you have the interest and temperament for it, you could use your degree in math to analyze data and evidence collected at a crime scene to help solve crimes.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to careers in math! I’d love to hear your thoughts on where you plan to take your career in math. Let me know your plans by writing in the space provided below.

Karen Purcell