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General Description

This is an ideal career for an analytical thinker. There are two areas of mathematics: theoretical and applied. Theoretical mathematicians endeavour to expand the basis of mathematical knowledge, while applied mathematicians use the theories and laws constructed by the theoretical mathematicians to solve problems. Applied work is much more common.

You use mathematics to solve problems and make predictions in economics such as the cost of natural disasters associated with insurance risk; in science for predictions related to the weather, oceans and soil erosion; and in business to determine financial market growth and financial risk and to analyse market research and clinical trials results. Mathematics underpins technology: such as the computer modelling and computer programs used in industrial design. It is used in problem solving in engineering and in commerce to break security codes for example. In industry maths is used to calculate transportation routes, and communications systems and even in politics by modelling possible election results.

Your math skills include use of calculus and geometry plus analysis, logic, and abstract thinking, as well as the highly important ability to model. Modelling is a method of fitting real life problems into a mathematical context, where the solution can then be applied to the original problem.

Depending on your area of employment, you may work as part of a team with other specialists, such as engineers, computer scientists, biologists, or economists. You may choose to specialise in statistical or computer mathematics. 

What you do every day

Depending on your area of mathematical involvement, you could perform a range of tasks during a standard working day. As a theoretical mathematician, you may spend a great deal of your time conducting research and mathematical experiments. You may develop new theories by identifying unknown relationships between existing mathematical principles. Most theoretical mathematicians work within universities, and so it is likely that your work will also consist of preparing classes and teaching.

As an applied mathematician, your work will depend largely on the area of your employment. In the field of design, you may use geometry and calculus to develop objects, whereas in finance, you may develop models to assist in the management of financial risk. Your job may require you to analyse statistics, processes and data; design new computer programs; develop mathematical models; and calculate or predict the answer to an industrial, economic, or social problem.

No matter which area or field of mathematics you work in, you will always be working with numbers. You will put problems or abstract concepts into numerical form. You will also use computers frequently, and use traditional mathematic tools such as slide rules and calculators.

Personality that best fits this career

Overall, you must have strong mathematics skills. You should be good at problem solving, but this alone won’t be enough without a talent for research and analysis. Your tasks will often require perseverance, imagination and an eye for detail.

Successful mathematicians also have good communication skills. Not only to interact with an interdisciplinary team during the research process, but also to relay your results in a way that others can readily understand.

The ability to work both independently, and as part of a team, is vital. Large studies will require you to work alongside other specialists, collating data together, while smaller mathematic investigations will have you working on an entire study alone. Comprehensive computer programming and modeling skills are also essential

Best thing about this career

This is a highly rewarding occupation. You play a vital role in the function of a company or institution, supplying valuable information that assists their choices and direction. You keep your mind constantly active as mathematics requires constant intellectual stimulation. Usually a strong sense of job satisfaction is gained at the end of a project. It is a career well respected by others and carries the perception of extreme intelligence.

Worst thing about this career

There can be pressure and stress to perform to deadlines and accuracy is expected. The monotony of solving problems and developing models can become a cause of boredom. While the job is intellectually stimulating, you are required to be sitting down focussing for long periods of time, which can make you physically restless. If you are not positioned correctly in terms of ergonomics, then you may also end up with postural injuries.