A Career in Applied Mathematics?

Question

I am still a kid, but am trying to look ahead. I was cosidering a career in applied mathematics because I love to be challenged by math and would like to figure out ways to use math problems in ways they were never intended to. Does anyone have any information about a career in that field? Does it pay well? How many years of collage for a major of phd? Where could I work?

Answer 1

If you really lijke to explore new applications for math, then applied mathematics could be a good field for you to go into.

Applied mathematics is a broad field. A few of the areas that it covers are the following:

Applications to the sciences, including mathematical physics, mathematical biology and mathematical chemistry.

Applications to applied sciences and engineering, including fluid dynamics, nanotechnology, communications theory and general industry.

Computational mathematics, which involves the use of supercomputers, visualization systems and numerical methods from math to solve various problems in science and industry.

Discrete mathematics, which is used in the theory of computation.

Applied number theory, used in security and encryption.

Mathematics of finance, which uses mathematics to derive trading strategies used on Wall Street.

Statistics, econometrics, bioinformatics, and data mining, which involve the analysis of statistical data from business, medicine, or other fields.

From the list above, you can see there are possibilities to work with a variety of companies, government organizations and univeristies.

The pay varies by the place you work and the application. I personally knwo that applications in finance pay particularly well. If you work as a univeristy professor, that will tend to pay less, but it has other rewards.

To get a degree in applied mathematics, you would go for the normal 4 years for a BS or BA degree. Then typically two more years for the MS, and two to three years after that for the Ph.d (although the Ph.d can sometimes take longer).

To get started on this plan, start doing three things:

1. Read some math outside of your school work. Go for books that are just a little difficult for you, and work your way up to them.

2. Work some math problems every day, outside of homework. You do not have to finish the problems you work on that day, but just work on them.

3. Remember that this may get hard, and that is OK. Don't get discouraged.

Answer 2

That's very good, son, I'm eighteen, and I'm considering (I'm still in high school) a career in applied mathematics. Becoming a professional mathematician can help you become a teacher in a university, or be employed by companies, but becoming an engineer or a chemist or a physicist or a doctor (even a doctor) are all possibilities for a job in mathematics.
I hope you enjoy math as much as me (even though I doubt that). You see, I work math all day, just for fun. I don't really know what I'll become, but I've been considering mechenical engineering, or construction engineering, where physics and mathematics walk hand in hand. I'm not an expert in jobs, but I really wanted to answer this question 'cause I like young mathematicians.

Answer 3

My sister got her degree in Applied Mathematics. There are a lot of things you can do with that. She went to a community college for a couple years and took as many math classes as she could there and then transferred to UC Berkeley. Throughout her college years she participated in different programs where she could do research in different areas related to math. She decided to get her Masters in BioStatistics since she really enjoyed statistics. She is finishing up her Masters degree now and will be applying for various research positions. Another thing is that you can also take the exam to be an actuary, which is a pretty lucrative career. With a degree in Applied math you can also work for hospitals, insurance companies, and many other companies. Good luck and study hard!!