<p>Xav, I might be almost perfect to answer your question. I long in high school had wondered about how it would be to be a professor of mathematics and do research for a living. I dismissed this on the basis of my parents believing it to be a very difficult career path to succeed at, in fact it’s played out to be too difficult for words. </p>
<p>The bottom line is that when you actually take math courses in college, you’ll realize what kinds of math interest you. There is, in fact, very little math used in standard engineering curricula. This is coming from someone having seen the curriculum at one of the top engineering schools in the country, and knowing personally a math graduate student who studied EECS, math and economics at MIT (as an undergrad) and said he was vastly disappointed in the level of math that was actually used there. </p>
<p>Pure math is very different from applied math. I tried to convince myself that I could like applied math and engineering, but it was heavily to no avail, but then again, everyone around me could tell very easily what kind of person I am, and that pure math was the clear fit.</p>
<p>Don’t force the actuary thing or engineering now. If you want to get a PhD in math, do it. Do what satisfies you now. But, keep career options in mind, and keep your head realistic.
If you want an academic position, aim for it, but be open to shifting gears. If you’re open, you won’t be disappointed later, and you’ll also study what you like in school. Definitely don’t try to force engineering.</p>
<p>Feel free to ask me about details via PM if you wish. I definitely had similar considerations.</p>