Career Path Forecast
According
to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
employment of mathematicians is expected to increase by 22 percent
during the 2008–18 decade, which is much faster than average for all
occupations. Advancements in technology usually lead to expanding
applications of mathematics, and more workers with knowledge of
mathematics will be required in the future. However, jobs in industry
and government often require advanced knowledge of related scientific
disciplines in addition to mathematics. The most common fields in which
mathematicians study and find work are computer science and software
development, physics, engineering, and operations research. Many
mathematicians also are involved in financial analysis and in life
sciences research.
Job
competition will remain keen because employment in this occupation is
relatively small and few new jobs are expected. Ph.D. holders with a
strong background in mathematics and a related discipline, such as
engineering or computer science, and who apply mathematical theory to
real-world problems will have the best job prospects in related
occupations. In addition, mathematicians with experience in computer
programming will better their job prospects in many occupations.
Holders of a master's
degree in mathematics will face very strong competition for jobs in
theoretical research. Because the number of Ph.D. degrees awarded in
mathematics continues to exceed the number of available university
positions—especially tenure-track positions—many graduates will need to
find employment in industry and government.
Employment in
theoretical mathematical research is sensitive to general economic
fluctuations and to changes in government spending. Job prospects will
be greatly influenced by changes in public and private funding for
research and development.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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