<p>i'm in my 4th year but will staying for at least an extra semester</p>
<p>i'm an applied math major, but i have completed the physics minor and may even go for a double major in physics. my main problem with physics is that i dont like experiments and hands on work. </p>
<p>as for waht to do after graduation, i'm really lost. i most likely will pursue being an actuary or go to grad school in either applied math or engineering (aerospace or mechanical). but i dont know enough about actuary or engineering. i'm taking my 1st econ and 1st engineering class (feedback and controls), this semester. so far, they're both alright. i dont seem to really have a passion for any subject, but seem to enjoy math, physics and my only econ class and engineering class so far</p>
<p>i have to wait until next quarter to take more engineering classes (i'm thinking aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, and/or thermodynamics). i cant get an internship as i've applied to 100's of positions and gotten no replies</p>
<p>i figure my best option at this point would be to get an internship as an actuary to see if i like it or not.
btw, does anyone know if actuaries use mostly math? or do they need to be really well-read in terms of current events? i've heard both ways</p>
<p>do i need to make a decision like REALLY soon as to what to do?</p>
<p>Well, you may not have gotten a lot of replies just because of your writing style. I don't know if you dress it up nice on your applications, but you use some awkward grammatical constructions, have some misspellings and transpositions, etc. I know this is an informal forum and you may not write like that for important things, but... if you do, I would look into that.</p>
<p>Yeah, the problem with being a Math major is that you've got to sell yourself a little harder, particularly if you're not studying to be an Actuary, Math teacher, etc. If you haven't had a few classes in Actuarial Science, it might be hard to be one. As far as I know, they have to take some sort of qualifying exam to get certified. And as for engineering, ... while it's not unheard of for a Math major to get a job, I think you're really going to have to sell hard. With a minor or double-major in Physics, maybe that would make your life easier. I don't know.</p>
<p>Have you taken any programming classes? To my knowledge, it's not hard for Math majors to move into computers... provided they have some knowledge of programming. Or a statistician? (have you taken any statistics?) With a Master's degree, you'd be qualified to teach at any level, even possibly the college level (instructor).</p>
<p>If you don't like labs or hands on work I would advise not taking aero or mechanical engineering masters. Finance and Econ might be a good way as is actuary science. Other options; theoretical phsyics, statistics, business strategy, business intelligence, or something else with computers like CS.</p>
<p>I think before the internship you might want to conduct some informational interviews. Even if you talk to some of the professors who teach on topics that you might be interested, to get a better feel for the degree and it's applications.</p>
<p>well my writing style here is obviously different from how i would type if this were formal</p>
<p>i only took c++, and it was rather difficult and uninteresting</p>
<p>i heard from some alumni who work in engineering that alot of engineering positions that require an advanced degree, they dont have to do much hands on or experimentla work</p>
<p>my engineering prof said that i cant get an internship since those companies look for engineering majors mostly, and if i want to have a chance, i need more engineering classes, but the only i've taken is the one i'm taking right now.i could take a couple more in the spring quarter, which starts in march, but by then it'll be too late, right?</p>
<p>at this point, i'll probably just look for actuarial internships</p>
<p>Back when I was a teen, I took the first actuarial exam at one of the John Hancock buildings in Boston. I didn't pass but I was only 15 and wanted to see how hard it was. There's a series of tests that get progressively harder and I think the assumption is that you should take at least the first few during your undergraduate years.</p>
<p>You should be able to find sample exams on the web. Alternatively, you could ask someone in your math department.</p>
<p>also, is the fact that i didnt like fluid mechanics in AP physics and freshman calc-based physics any indication that i wont like the upperdiv engineering version, and thus not like aerospace engineering?</p>
<p>i decided not to look into being an actuary anymore. i heard from actual actuaries that its mostly business related </p>
<p>so considering that i've applied to 100s of positions and gotten no replies, should i keep trying applying? maybe the prob is that i dont submit my cover letters with these applications and all the websites say to apply online and they never say who or where to address teh cover letter to</p>
<p>How is your resume? Do you provide a cover letter for each application? Do you even change your resume when applying for a different position? If you've applied to "100's" of different places odds are you aren't putting much effort into each application you put in. </p>
<p>Putting out tons of resumes and hoping for a response isn't really the best approach to get a job. Fine tune your resume and provide a cover letter for the specific jobs you want the most. </p>
<p>Also try networking with friends or professors. </p>
<p>There's no reason you shouldn't be getting responses if you've put forth an effort and you have the right skills.</p>
<p>i like applied math and physics classes, but dont have a passion for any of them. i've only taken 1 engineering class (feedback and controls) and its more like applied math than engineering, but also kinda boring and too theoretical</p>
<p>i've had my resume edited by the career center so i figure its alright. yes, i submit the same resume to the positions as they are mostly mechanical/aerospace related jobs. again, i would provide a resume to every job i apply to online but often the sites dont say who or where to address the cover letter to</p>
<p>how would i network with professors? just ask them if they can provide a reference for me even though they dont know me that well?</p>
<p>
[quote]
i like applied math and physics classes, but dont have a passion for any of them.
[/quote]
I think the word "passion" is used often on CC and is highly overrated. If you wait for passion, you may be a student forever! Actually, not that many people can sustain "passion" for their work throughout their lives. Try something that you like and see where it goes.</p>