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What can I do with a degree in mathematics?
St. Norbert College mathematics majors have been quite successful in graduate school and in a variety of careers. The study of mathematics is not just for those intending to pursue a career in math. A strong liberal arts education with a mathematics major provides entry to careers in a wide variety of areas.
The mission of Career Services is to connect students and alumni with the world. Check out their web site at
Career Services for more information about choosing a major, choosing a career, graduate school, internships, etc.
Career directions for math majors:
Actuarial science:
By taking mathematics (MATH 131, 132, 233, 321), business (BUAD 205, 284, 350, 351) and economics (ECON 101, 102, 325, 326) courses, students can satisfy the Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements and prepare to study for the Probability Exam and the Financial Mathematics exam. Almost every year at least one mathematics graduate finds employment as an actuary, and most summers at least one student works as an actuarial intern. Various companies recruit on campus and several alumni are in influential positions at companies that hire actuaries. Dr. Poss is the actuarial science adviser.
Graduate school:
St. Norbert College's mathematics program offers opportunities for its graduates to go on for further study in a number of areas. Most mathematics majors attending graduate school receive teaching or research assistantships which provide free tuition plus living expenses. Dr. Poss is the graduate school adviser. Alumni have gone to graduate school in such areas as:
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Industrial engineering (operations research)
- Computer science
- Economics
- Environmental engineering
- Biostatistics
- Law
Computer careers:
Many mathematics majors take enough computer science and business courses to go into careers involving computers. Each year there have been more positions available than there have been graduates to fill them. Many students get multiple offers. Some of the positions that they have obtained are:
- Programmers
- Systems analysts
- Software engineering
- Database design and management
- Web site design
- Consultant
Teaching:
St. Norbert College provides a strong preparation for those who wish to enter a career in teaching in high school or middle school. The
teacher education program offers full certification for those wishing to enter this field. Many graduates of the program are able to find positions in the greater Green Bay area, but reciprocity agreements allow graduates to teach in surrounding states, if they so choose.
General:
For those who only know that they enjoy math and do well at it, and don't have any ideas of what kind of a career it will prepare them for, it is reassuring that there are a large number of career opportunities in fields other than those mentioned above. Mathematics provides a strong liberal arts background. The problem solving skills learned will prove valuable in a wide variety of careers not normally associated with mathematics. The combination of a mathematics degree and strong communications skills provides entry to careers in a wide variety of areas. Some of these positions are:
- Financial analyst
- Market analyst
- Rates analyst
- Pricing estimator
- Manager
- Bank officer
- Loan officer
- Lawyer
- Consultant
- Any career requiring a liberal arts degree
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Read more about what St. Norbert College students have done since graduation on the
career services web site. |
