Department of Mathematics
Careers in Mathematics
Mathematics research offers an endless variety of fascinating and challenging problems for those interested in going on to a doctoral degree and pursuing a university, industrial or scientific research career.
The phenomenal growth in computer technology in the last twenty-five years has created thousands of mathematics-related jobs. The majority of mathematics graduates with bachelor's or master's degrees now take jobs with industry or government in such fields as aerospace, electronics, communications, insurance, and banking. Prospects for actuaries in the insurance industry are excellent. There are many positions for statisticians in government, industry, and education. Mathematical programmers continue to be in demand. Operations research is a growing field in which mathematics is applied to industrial problems of resource allocation, production scheduling, and distribution.
Some positions in business and industry are open to mathematics graduates with bachelor's degrees, while others call for advanced degrees. In either case, you should supplement your mathematical training with courses in computer science.
One of our recent bachelor's degree graduates is employed by the IBM corporation in Florida, where she worked on the development of the IBM Personal Computer. Several recent graduates have positions in actuarial work in insurance companies, including State Farm Insurance in Bloomington, Illinois, and CNA in Chicago. Another graduate works as a technical writer for a large corporation in Chicago.
With interest growing in improving mathematical performance in the public schools, this is an exciting and promising time to become a mathematics teacher. Undergraduates who choose to major in mathematics in the College of Education can expect to find several job offers waiting when they graduate. Shortages of high school mathematics teachers exist in many parts of the country, and salaries have improved substantially. By selecting appropriate electives, mathematics majors in the College of Education may also prepare themselves for positions in industry or business.
Talented students who earn doctor's degrees in mathematics have a variety of interesting careers open to them. Some pursue mathematical research and college or university teaching, while others enter industry or government, perhaps joining teams of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians working on industrial research and development.