After you have identified possible occupations of interest to you, it is important to investigate the nature of work; education and training requirements; skills and special talents needed; types of employers; future trends and employment outlook related to each of these careers. We have set up links to internet sites that provide detailed descriptions of these occupations. You may also want to research these occupations by reading the books and literature available in the Philadelphia House Career Resource Library, by talking with individuals working in the career field and by contacting related professional associations.

This guide also provides information about obtaining related work experience including links to possible internships. However for the best information on current, local internships contact Sally Cardenas, Director of Internships and Community-Based Learning at 562-464-4533 or email her at scardenas@whittier.edu.

Career Options

Note: (2) refers to second information link for occupational title

Typical Employers

Accounting firms, aerospace companies, banks, biotechnology industry, colleges and universities, computer companies, consulting firms, finance companies, government agencies, hospitals, insurance companies, market research and development firms, petroleum industry, private or public schools, research firms, stock/securities brokers, transportation firms and utilities

Liberal Arts Related Occupations
(click here for more options)

Marketable Skills Associated with a Mathematics Major

Critical Thinking: ability to think conceptually, ability to understand abstract concepts, ability to make critical observations, ability to analyze and interpret data, reasoning, understanding components of complex problems

Communication: ability to express ideas and relationships in numbers and words, translating mathematical formulations and electronic data into generally understood language, ability to explain scientific research, presenting research findings, ability to read and write articulately and analytically

Problem Solving:  ability to solve complex problems with logic and science, providing original solutions to problems

Other:  researching, analyzing and forecasting, estimating and appraising, designing systems, ability to think logically, appreciation for challenge, thoroughness, detail orientation,  using and interpreting tables, charts and graphs; using computers/equipment to process large amounts of information

Getting Career Related Work Experience

To be competitive in today's job market and to improve your qualifications for graduate school, gaining career related work experience while you are a college student is very important.  Career related work experience can include various forms of paid and volunteer experience (i.e. internships, some work study positions, summer or part-time jobs in your career field of interest, possibly fellowships, and some volunteer positions)

Mathematics Related Internships

Sources of Career and Employment Information

Career Information Links

• Math & Science Information Links
• Math Related Job Listings
• What Can I Do with a Math Major (Purdue University)
• Links to Professional Associations

Employment Information Links

• Mathematics and Science Employment Links

Graduate School Resources

• General Graduate School Resources
• Mathematics program links