Resources

Majoring in the mathematical science is well-regarded as a path toward a great career.

Each year CareerCast ranks 200 jobs on the basis of work environment, physical demands, job outlook, income level and stress. Numerous jobs in the mathematical sciences rank among these, and the jobs of actuary, financial planner, and mathematician all ranked in the top ten of these.

According to the Jobs Rated Almanac, a publication of World Almanac Books of New York, NY, jobs in the mathematical field are some of the very “best” jobs using as criteria income, outlook, physical demand, security, stress and work environment. In fact, three of the top five jobs involve significant mathematics and the top five are all careers based heavily on mathematics. According to this almanac, the top five jobs in ranked order are: Actuary, Software Engineer, Computer Analyst, Mathematician, and Statistician.

Located in MAC 206, the Mathematics Lab is open for support with all levels of mathematics. Berea’s Math Lab Assistants should be able to help with most mathematical questions that arise from study in the mathematics courses at Berea College. Students are strongly encouraged to make use of the help available in the Lab, as well as in their instructor’s office hours. Best results are obtained trying to solve problems before asking for help, so in either place, students should be prepared to show what they have already tried. Topics in many courses in the mathematical sciences build throughout the course, so students should be sure to do their best to keep up with the class, so as to not get behind and possibly forever lost. Remember, no question to which one does not know the answer is ever “dumb” unless it goes unanswered because it remained unasked.

During the regular term, the Math Lab hours are Sunday through Thursday 7:00 to 9:15 P.M., except on evenings of Berea College convocations, at which time the lab closes at 7:50 P.M. Summer hours vary.

Please contact Dr. Shelly Bouchat, ext. 3577, with complaints or suggestions for Math Lab.

Career Information From Professional Organizations

• AMS Careers in Math offers career information from the American Mathematical Society.
• ASA Careers Center presents career information from the American Statistical Association.
• Careers That Count: Opportunities in the Mathematical Sciences is career information from the Association of Women Mathematicians.
• The INFORMS Career Booklet has information on careers in operations research.
• Mathematics Archives Undergraduate Page is a collection of useful career information.
• Mathematical Sciences Career Information offers information from a consortium of professional mathematical organizations, the AMS-MAA-SIAM.
• MAA Undergraduate Page has many links to useful information from the Mathematics Association of America.
• SIAM Career Information Page offers career information from the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

Other Career Information

• Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook has career projections on mathematical careers.
• The Graduate Record Examination Program (GRE) web page provides information about tests that are required for admission to graduate school, as well as publications and services related to graduate admissions activities, guidance and placement, program evaluation, and selection of fellowship recipients. The GRE Program also assists students in their transition to graduate education through a variety of services and publications.
• Peterson’s Education and Career Center has an excellent searchable index of linked graduate programs, provides directories of professional associations, accrediting agencies, financial aid sources, career offices, and other similar topics.
• Most Lucrative College Degrees: Engineering and Computer Science is an article on engineering and computer science degrees from CNNMoney.
• Monster.com allows you to choose a career area or type in your interest to search for jobs.
• The National Board for Certified Counselors can be a resource for finding a certified career counselor in your area.
• Women in Mathematics contains biographies of women mathematicians.
• Working Your Degree: Mathematics is an article on jobs and mathematics degrees from CNNMoney

American Mathematical Society (AMS)
Founded in 1888 to further mathematical research and scholarship. The Society currently has approximately 30,000 members throughout the United States and around the world. It fulfills its mission through programs that promote mathematical research, increase the awareness of the value of mathematics to society, and foster excellence in mathematics education.

American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
A nonprofit member association, founded in 1893, dedicated to promoting and improving engineering and technology education.

American Statistics Association (ASA)
A scientific and educational society founded in 1839 to foster excellence in the use and application of statistics to the biological, physical, social and economic sciences.

Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
A non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging women in the mathematical sciences.

Casualty Actuarial Society 
An organization dedicated to advancing the body of knowledge of actuarial science applied to property, casualty and similar risk exposures, to promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct and competence for the members, and to increasing the awareness of actuarial science.

Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
The world’s largest organization devoted to the interests of collegiate mathematics.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
A nonprofit professional association whose purpose is to improve mathematics education for all students in the United States and Canada. Composed of more than 120,000 teachers, educators, and other professionals, it is now the largest mathematics education organization in the world.

Society of Actuaries 
An educational, research, and professional organization dedicated to serving the public and Society members. Its mission is to advance actuarial knowledge and to enhance the ability of actuaries to provide expert advice and relevant solutions for financial, business, and societal problems involving uncertain future events. The vision of the Society of Actuaries is for actuaries to be recognized as the leading professionals in the modeling and management of financial risk and contingent events.

Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)
Dedicated to advancing the application of mathematics to science and industry, to promoting mathematical research that could lead to effective new methods and techniques for science and industry, and to providing media for the exchange of information and ideas among mathematicians, engineers, and scientists. In conjunction with the AMS, they also provide career information and services to the mathematics community through the AMS-SIAM Mathematics Careers Bulletin Board which is an interactive service that informs students about non-academic career choices in the mathematical sciences.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Dedicated to stimulating women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expanding the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrating the value of diversity.