STEM Scholars - Computer Science and Mathematics Scholarships

Math at NSU

Degree Program

Job Outlook for Math

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “Advancements in technology usually lead to expanding applications of mathematics, and more workers with knowledge of mathematics will be required in the future.” They also note that both industry and the government hire mathematicians. The government is more willing to hire a person with a bachelor’s in math purely on the strength of them having that degree. In industry, a person usually will be hired as a “mathematician” only if they have a doctorate. However, there are many jobs in industry for people with a bachelor’s or a master’s in math. It’s just that mathematical people that occupy jobs in industry are not usually categorized as “mathematicians”.

Salaries for mathematicians are high. According to the U.S. Department of Labor “the median annual earnings of mathematicians were $81,240 in May 2004” and “in early 2005, the average annual salary for mathematicians employed by the Federal Government in supervisory, non-supervisory, and managerial positions was $88,194.”

For more information on jobs in math, particularly jobs for people with bachelor’s degrees, view the American Mathematical Society's Career Profile page.

Generally speaking, people with backgrounds in math have very good problem solving skills that are highly valued everywhere. They are many industry jobs that are appropriate for math majors. Teaching math at college level is also a potential career and math teachers are always in short supply in the United States (and in almost every country!). Another good career path is to pursue graduate work.

STEM does not support Math Education degrees. Student’s who are interested in teaching math in K-12 should consider another program.

What is Math?

Mathematics is the study of numbers, sets, shapes, functions, patterns, probability, and their various relationships.

Mathematics is a powerful subject because it uses powerful tools such as generalization, abstraction, logic, conjecture, and proof.

A person who seriously studies mathematics necessarily improves problem solving skills, develops as a logical thinker, and acquires a high level of perseverance and creativity in wrestling with difficult problems. Such a person can effectively represent and communicate technical ideas.