How mobile is a degree in mathematics?

[nonameo]

I'm in college and TBH, I really don't know what I want to do as far as a profession goes. I am considering a degree in math(because I am at least good at it) but I don't really want to do that if it's about equivalent to a degree in philosophy(not to knock it) or something like that.

I also do not want to be stuck with teaching as my only choice.

 

[Hacp]

Originally posted by: nonameo
I'm in college and TBH, I really don't know what I want to do as far as a profession goes. I am considering a degree in math(because I am at least good at it) but I don't really want to do that if it's about equivalent to a degree in philosophy(not to knock it) or something like that.

I also do not want to be stuck with teaching as my only choice.

You could become an actuary.

 

[zinfamous]

how mobile is it?

guess it depends if you can get an iPhone app for it.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Hacp

Originally posted by: nonameo
I'm in college and TBH, I really don't know what I want to do as far as a profession goes. I am considering a degree in math(because I am at least good at it) but I don't really want to do that if it's about equivalent to a degree in philosophy(not to knock it) or something like that.

I also do not want to be stuck with teaching as my only choice.

You could become an actuary.

this is actually what my GF is doing right now. Passed the first 2 exams and currently studying for 3rd in November. Her BS is in Mathematics, Masters elsewhere, though she recommends Stats for Actuarial work.

She's basically had to teach herself everything, though. Stats seems far more important for actuarial work.

 

[TecHNooB]

I don't think it's a good idea to major in math alone, unless you're phenomenal at it. Pair it up with CS. That's always useful.

 

[rocadelpunk]

you pretty much either go the teaching route, Ph.D route, computer science route or actuary route.

Also, law school, but everybody is down on law schools these days.

An actual mathematics degree is going to be a lot more theoretical by the way. Nothing like the regular applied calc/diff eq/lin alg courses you might have taken - although those are still a part of the curriculum. However, in grad school you can specify applied mathematics...

Take the intro to higher mathematics course your uni offers. It'll be the introduction to logic, proofs, set theory, etc.

 

[frostedflakes]

Can't you make some really good money as an actuary? I'd imagine it's pretty competitive, though, might be a tough industry to get into.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
how mobile is it?

guess it depends if you can get an iPhone app for it.

My diploma fits in the trunk of my car so I can take it just about anywhere. Just that fact tells me it's very mobile.

 

[nonameo]

That's another thing, I am about 100000000x more interested in finding a job that I LIKE than I am in making money. I have about 1/10 of the interest in cars, houses, women that most guys do, and I tend to get burned out fast on things I don't like. The money involved in actuary work isn't a real lure for me. I am wary of teaching because I have had more than one person tell me that it needs to be something that you "love" doing if you're going to do it.

 

[SandEagle]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: zinfamous
how mobile is it?

guess it depends if you can get an iPhone app for it.

My diploma fits in the trunk of my car so I can take it just about anywhere. Just that fact tells me it's very mobile.

some unis actually give you a pocket size diploma to fit in your wallet.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: SandEagle

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: zinfamous
how mobile is it?

guess it depends if you can get an iPhone app for it.

My diploma fits in the trunk of my car so I can take it just about anywhere. Just that fact tells me it's very mobile.

some unis actually give you a pocket size diploma to fit in your wallet.

JACKPOT! You could take that sucker to the moon!

 

[TecHNooB]

Originally posted by: nonameo
That's another thing, I am about 100000000x more interested in finding a job that I LIKE than I am in making money. I have about 1/10 of the interest in cars, houses, women that most guys do, and I tend to get burned out fast on things I don't like. The money involved in actuary work isn't a real lure for me. I am wary of teaching because I have had more than one person tell me that it needs to be something that you "love" doing if you're going to do it.

Once you graduate (unless you didn't work that hard to begin with), you're gonna want serious money. Two reasons, you did well and you put excessive stress on yourself to do so.

 

[Leros]

Math paired with computer science or engineering

 

[nonameo]

Originally posted by: Leros
Math paired with computer science or engineering

If I combined it with anything I think I'd want to combine it with physics.

 

[dirtboy]

Actuaries are personality-less introverts. If that's you, then go that route. If they didn't make companies money, nobody would want them.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: nonameo

Originally posted by: Leros
Math paired with computer science or engineering

If I combined it with anything I think I'd want to combine it with physics.

Physics is applied Math.
Engineering is applied Physics.

The less theoretical you get, the more job safety you have. (or at least I imagine)

http://xkcd.com/435/

 

[gamepad]

I'm in this situation too. I'm minoring in physics and CS and will probably go to grad school for CS when I graduate.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: nonameo
I'm in college and TBH, I really don't know what I want to do as far as a profession goes. I am considering a degree in math(because I am at least good at it) but I don't really want to do that if it's about equivalent to a degree in philosophy(not to knock it) or something like that.

What's the highest level Math class you have taken?

 

[MotF Bane]

Originally posted by: nonameo

Originally posted by: Leros
Math paired with computer science or engineering

If I combined it with anything I think I'd want to combine it with physics.

So engineering.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I once saw a mathematics degree on a snowmobile, the damn things are pretty mobile when they want to be.

 

[n yusef]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: nonameo

Originally posted by: Leros
Math paired with computer science or engineering

If I combined it with anything I think I'd want to combine it with physics.

Physics is applied Math.
Engineering is applied Physics.

The less theoretical you get, the more job safety you have. (or at least I imagine)

http://xkcd.com/435/

Mathematics is just applied logic; all of the sciences are applied philosophy.

 

[nonameo]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: nonameo
I'm in college and TBH, I really don't know what I want to do as far as a profession goes. I am considering a degree in math(because I am at least good at it) but I don't really want to do that if it's about equivalent to a degree in philosophy(not to knock it) or something like that.

What's the highest level Math class you have taken?

Calculus II

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Originally posted by: dirtboy
Actuaries are personality-less introverts. If that's you, then go that route. If they didn't make companies money, nobody would want them.

You just described my freshman year roommate. He was already set on being an actuary. Also, the least fun guy on my floor (or maybe that I've met in college). He didn't really make any friends, never talked to a girl, really just sat in the room and played GoW. At first I just thought he was shy, but then I realized he was really just very boring.

 

[TecHNooB]

Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante

Originally posted by: dirtboy
Actuaries are personality-less introverts. If that's you, then go that route. If they didn't make companies money, nobody would want them.

You just described my freshman year roommate. He was already set on being an actuary. Also, the least fun guy on my floor (or maybe that I've met in college). He didn't really make any friends, never talked to a girl, really just sat in the room and played GoW. At first I just thought he was shy, but then I realized he was really just very boring.

Unless he's extremely lazy, a guy like that is useful to me. I don't care about how many girls you talk to or how many friends you have.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
you pretty much either go the teaching route, Ph.D route, computer science route or actuary route.

Also, law school, but everybody is down on law schools these days.

An actual mathematics degree is going to be a lot more theoretical by the way. Nothing like the regular applied calc/diff eq/lin alg courses you might have taken - although those are still a part of the curriculum. However, in grad school you can specify applied mathematics...

Take the intro to higher mathematics course your uni offers. It'll be the introduction to logic, proofs, set theory, etc.

why on god's green earth would you become a math major in contemplation of law school?