Being a Mathematician
 A
degree in mathematics is a versatile qualification that enables you to
enter any of a wide range of careers.
Find out about careers in mathematics from mathematician Dr Mohan
Krishnamoorthy, one of CSIRO’s senior researchers.
My career
How many young people know exactly what they’d like to do in their
career?
While I was studying undergraduate mathematics, I certainly didn’t
know. But when I was 21, I stumbled into a week-long course in operations
research (OR).
I didn’t know quite what OR was at that time, but I thoroughly enjoyed
the course. I went on to do a Masters in OR, another Masters in Management
Science and then a PhD in OR. I taught for a year at a university and then
joined CSIRO. At CSIRO, I was a researcher for eight years prior to moving
into my current strategic management role where I oversee research in,
among other things, OR.
So, that’s my career, started by attending a course I knew nothing
about!
Choose your career carefully
I chose to work at CSIRO because I wanted to work for an organisation
that specialises in applied mathematics.
Some things to remember about choosing a career:
- the vast majority of mathematics graduates obtain employment
- your career should be satisfying to you; talk to your advisors, but
in the end, it is your choice
- some degrees train you for a particular job, but all degree courses
develop your abilities to learn and it is this quality which employers
particularly value
Employers love mathematics graduates
Like many employers, I value mathematics graduates because they:
- are highly numerate
- are more likely than most to have learned to think clearly and
logically
- are analytical and organised
- are not fearful of computers
- have special skills in solving complex problems
- can solve problems in areas as diverse as weather forecasting,
statistical analysis of drug trials, or making money for the banks!
Some opportunities for mathematics graduates
Opportunities for today’s mathematicians include:
- Postgraduate study
- Scientific research, design and development
- Management services
- Financial work
- Statistical work
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate study in mathematics is a good idea for graduates who want
to pursue a research career. PhDs can be undertaken at organisations like
CSIRO, giving you valuable experience in the workplace as well as an
academic qualification.
Scientific research, design and development
Mathematicians are often integral parts of interdisciplinary research
teams, working in areas such as:
- aerospace
- health care
- ICT
- supply chain management
- biotechnology
- cryptography
- security
- environment
Name it. We are there!
Management services
This work involves mathematicians providing decision support tools and
services to management.
Personal qualities like tact, understanding and ability to communicate
are especially important because in recommending action based on their
work, mathematicians can face resistance to changing of actions, familiar
methods and practices. Mathematics is a vital part of transformation in
any innovation-chain.
Financial work
In recent years, up to half of all mathematics graduates have taken up
a career in finance. Options include, but aren’t limited to:
- accountancy
- actuarial work (applying probability and statistics to financial
affairs such as life assurance)
- work with banks, such as in managing investments
Statistical work
Mathematics graduates can consider a range of statistical work, such as
survey design, data analysis or experimental design.
Statistical work crosses many different fields including economics,
bioinformatics and environmental management.
Contact
Andrea Mettenmeyer
Communication Officer
+61 2 6216 7157
Andrea.Mettenmeyer@csiro.au |
