Mathematics: Career Prospects

[Xianst]

Hi.

I am going to take up a Mathematics Degree this year. However, what can I do with a mathematics degree?

Actually I would like to go into a business field with this degree but I am wondering if it is suitable.

Those who know about this, please share with us. Thanks sooo much. =D

[skyrainbow]

can bcum mathematician, physicist, teacher, accountant, business administrative, acturial science ppl.

[bluez_aspic]

Hmm, Math degree whereabouts? And by 'business' what specifically do you have in mind?

[Xianst]

I do not want to go into a research or education field. Hate accountancy.

Mathematics with Statistics for Finance, Imperial College.

After I graduate, I am thinking of writing actuary papers while working in a banking field and hopefully earning good money, and ultimately go into an investment field. But I am afraid that this degree is not suitable

Actually now I am choosing between this degree, and an Business degree in NTU with major in Actuarial Science, a mathematics degree from University of Waterloo major in Actuarial Science, and NUS economics degree. Well... not going to imperial without scholarships la. Now just wondering if I really got a scholarship, whether I should go or not.

[bluez_aspic]

I do not want to go into a research or education field. Hate accountancy.

Mathematics with Statistics for Finance, Imperial College.

After I graduate, I am thinking of writing actuary papers while working in a banking field and hopefully earning good money, and ultimately go into an investment field. But I am afraid that this degree is not suitable

Actually now I am choosing between this degree, and an Business degree in NTU with major in Actuarial Science, a mathematics degree from University of Waterloo major in Actuarial Science, and NUS economics degree. Well... not going to imperial without scholarships la. Now just wondering if I really got a scholarship, whether I should go or not.
I don't think Imperial is generous with scholarships for international students. There are always good career prospects for Math graduates in the financial sector. Postgrad studies can be a requisite e.g. quantitative analyst - though I had a friend who recently got an offer from Goldman Sachs as a quant with just a basic BSc Math degree (not even honours) but he was a brilliant student.

But why actuary, then banking, then investment - it doesn't seem very coherent i.m.o. My advice is that don't do Math unless you like it.

[skyrainbow]

I have a friend who like maths more than anything else. She take maths and wants to be a teacher. And she wants to win the Noble Prize. So she apply pure science in jpa scholatships.

I dont noe people who take pure science to become business man. I think most people take maths to become an academia. XD

45 % of maths undergraduates in Cambridge further their studies to Master or phD.

[Xianst]

Owh. I am talkin about sponsorships from Malaysia to there la actually. Actually I think I like Maths a lot, but not really good at it. Above average I would say, but nothing like the top in bla bla bla lar. That's why I am afraid that I might lose out to the other students if I go to good uni. Welll... takin up actuary is just to prepare myself with a better qualification to go into a banking field since the pay is higher there? Then when I have enough capital and experience I would like to try investments or start up a business on my own... That's my plan la so far. I would appreciate it if you guys can tell me where the problem is. Thanks much.

[bluez_aspic]

Owh. I am talkin about sponsorships from Malaysia to there la actually. Actually I think I like Maths a lot, but not really good at it. Above average I would say, but nothing like the top in bla bla bla lar. That's why I am afraid that I might lose out to the other students if I go to good uni. Welll... takin up actuary is just to prepare myself with a better qualification to go into a banking field since the pay is higher there? Then when I have enough capital and experience I would like to try investments or start up a business on my own... That's my plan la so far. I would appreciate it if you guys can tell me where the problem is. Thanks much.
The job of a professional actuary is quite different - and is not directly related to the other job positions which you touted. Investment banking, and entrepreneurship are quite different things too. (Wikipedia or Google could help clarify things)

If you want to have some idea of what Mathematics is like at the university level, there's this wonderful book called "Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction" (http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Short-Introduction-Timothy-Gowers/dp/0192853619) by Timothy Gowers. It lives up to its title and thus is very short, but can be subtle and deep. I had a glance at Imperial's Statistics for Finance undergraduate course structure a while ago (since another friend was offered the same course as well) - if you like Math, then study Math by all means; if you're more of a business/finance type of guy, then maybe an Economics degree would be more appropriate i.m.o.

But that's just my opinion.

[Sillyboy]

I do not want to go into a research or education field. Hate accountancy.

Mathematics with Statistics for Finance, Imperial College.

After I graduate, I am thinking of writing actuary papers while working in a banking field and hopefully earning good money, and ultimately go into an investment field. But I am afraid that this degree is not suitable

Actually now I am choosing between this degree, and an Business degree in NTU with major in Actuarial Science, a mathematics degree from University of Waterloo major in Actuarial Science, and NUS economics degree. Well... not going to imperial without scholarships la. Now just wondering if I really got a scholarship, whether I should go or not.

Oh dear! Another applicant!! Where have you been hiding all this while!! :P

Well, a side note, we are going to learn actuarial modeling in our third year for Mathematics with Statistics for Finance course at Imperial.

Nevertheless, I would suggest you to go for the NUS economics degree course or the NTU Actuarial Science course.

PS: Listen to bluez_aspic, he is extremely knowledgeable!

[Jack Ricky]

Who would employ a mathematician?
Juz wanna know coz i dream to be 1...

[Xianst]

Oh dear! Another applicant!! Where have you been hiding all this while!! :P

Well, a side note, we are going to learn actuarial modeling in our third year for Mathematics with Statistics for Finance course at Imperial.

Nevertheless, I would suggest you to go for the NUS economics degree course or the NTU Actuarial Science course.

PS: Listen to bluez_aspic, he is extremely knowledgeable!

ARH THERE YOOU ARE! =)

I have been here all the time larrrr... in the scholarships room...
Haha bluez sounds pro. What do u think about the course? Other than the actuarial modeling? I am wondering if it is gonna help on investment...

[senksiang90]

Maths is beautiful. If u wana develop more of it, play more chess.. it will help ur thinking skills.. definitely. For mathematicians, the prospect is not so high in Malaysia unless u want to get ur masters or phd. So, if u really want to be a mathematician, work abroad. It wil provide more income.

[Sillyboy]

ARH THERE YOOU ARE! =)

I have been here all the time larrrr... in the scholarships room...
Haha bluez sounds pro. What do u think about the course? Other than the actuarial modeling? I am wondering if it is gonna help on investment...

LOL :laugh

Yup yup! Bluez is indeed pro! :D

Hey, do you know that all undergraduate mathematics student at Imperial goes through the same first year? In our second year, we are allowed to choose a few modules. Since we are going to specialise in Statistics, we will be doing more statistical units. Hmm, I think these modules will help in investment: Statistical Modeling, Statistical theory, Statistical modeling with application in finance, Monte Carlo methods in financial engineering and etc.