<p>I want to know what jobs the average math major with only a bachelor's degree in math can do. I don't plan on going back to school for a degree or to take additional courses. All I've got is a bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience doing quality assurance. Perhaps it's time to accept that my dreams were just dreams and aim for jobs that don't require a college degree?</p>
<p>Put yourself in my shoes. I'm still living on a budget, I still live with roommates, and I still drive a $5000 car. There is nothing wrong with being poor (at least that's what other poor people have told me) but when the job you have saps all the life left in you and you don't see financial rewards it's impossible not to question your purpose.</p>
<p>pandem, it’s funny how when I search for jobs on job finding websites nothing comes up. I have never found a job listed on those sites where a person with my background was in demand.</p>
<p>So, in theory, there are many jobs math majors can do. But when you search for those jobs, nothing comes up, or they require a lot more than a math degree.</p>
<p>Hmm… you’re probably in the same position as every other non-tech major then. It’s a tough economy. You have 4 options:</p>
<p>1) Apply to jobs that aren’t related to a math major
2) Look harder and longer for those jobs that do relate
3) Go back to school
4) Start a business or something small</p>
<p>mathematik - you probably won’t see a lot of positions that require a math degree, but that doesn’t matter. </p>
<p>Anyone involved in quantifying performance uses math, so you’re def qualified. Look for jobs related to statistics, modeling (not the victoria secret kind, we all wish), finance, etc.</p>
<p>QKiain, thanks for the advice, but I have spent hours on job finding websites sifting through ads and I have never found a job for which I met most of the requirements. If it’s a programming job, they say that degrees similar to computer sciences will be considered, but they want you to have extensive technical knowledge. If it’s a financial job, they want you to have a degree in finance. If it’s an accounting job, they want you to have a degree in accounting. And that’s just the entry level jobs.</p>
<p>Can you find an ad for a relevant job for which I am qualified and prove me wrong?</p>
<p>This is why I didn’t major in math, even though I would’ve enjoyed it. While many lucrative jobs like Engineering, Computer Science, Investment Banking and etc. are quantitative and math-heavy, I feel like math major itself ironically does not teach specific skills, unless you majored in Applied Mathematics or something. Just my $0.02</p>
<p>But I’m surprised no one has mentioned becoming an Actuary yet?</p>
<p>Quite honestly then this is a question that should have been asked & answered while you were in college. I know it’s too late to turn back the clock now, but it’s hard lesson many students learn too late. </p>
<p>In this case I would say take a look at anything- anything- you want to do and see how you can get there. I read this book called You majored in what?! by Katharine Brooks that’s about “mapping your future” and how to figure out how to get yourself unstuck from the impossibility of finding a job. I would suggest reading books like this that can help you figure out what kind of skills you have and what your major could be useful for.</p>
<p>If you really don’t think there’s anything you want to do with a math degree then maybe it is time to start looking into other careers you might be interested in. Might as well change early rather than go through life being miserable and wondering why you never did.</p>
<p>"Quite honestly then this is a question that should have been asked & answered while you were in college. I know it’s too late to turn back the clock now, but it’s hard lesson many students learn too late. "</p>
<p>I asked the question while I was in college and the answer I received is the same answer I received on this forum: there are a lot of jobs you can do with a degree in math.</p>
<p>To this day I haven’t been able to find one of those jobs. Not even postings for those jobs. It’s either teacher or actuary. Need I say that I am not interested in either job?</p>
<p>I wonder if, despite the economic situation, you may possibly be experiencing problems related to you resume, search techniques and interview skills. Yeah, it’s really tough out there now, but try to be certain that you are not your own worst enemy. Good luck!</p>
<p>"I wonder if, despite the economic situation, you may possibly be experiencing problems related to you resume, search techniques and interview skills. Yeah, it’s really tough out there now, but try to be certain that you are not your own worst enemy. Good luck! "</p>
<p>I really need help because, I admit, I don’t know what or where the jobs are. </p>
<p>Where are those jobs? Where are the job listings?</p>
Of course not! You are WAAAAY too young to give up on your dreams. What were they anyway? What do you hope to do eventually? What are your short-term goals? You may have to move or get an advanced degree, but no dream is too crazy when you are 20-something.</p>
<p>Just a tip, fyi: from my experience, the most successful way people find jobs is through personal connections. Tell everyone you know what you want to do and ask them to keep their eyes open. Then ask them to ask their friends if they hear of anything. Seriously, lots of people get jobs this way and then those jobs are never advertisd.</p>
<p>If you are unsuccessful with this technique, you might try a headhunter who will search for you. You might have to pay a fee, but often the company who hires you pays it.</p>
<p>You could even contact people at a company where you would like to work, regardless if there is a job opening. Maybe if a job opens up, they will call you first. It can’t hurt to try.</p>
<p>Just get out there! You need to talk to people and not just look at posted ads.</p>
<p>My eldest daughter graduated in 2008 with a Colgate degree. In good times, that by itself would have netted her a great job. She got a job, worked for 6 months, then the recession was in full swing and she was laid off. She wasn’t able to find another job.</p>
<p>So what she decided to do was go to grad school.</p>
<p>That is what I suggest - go to grad school. If you take 6 credits a semester, you can defer your loans and even take out more direct loans to pay for it.</p>
<p>Math is a great foundation for just about any grad program <em>hugs</em></p>
<p>^ I don’t think that’s very good advice- at least not until you know exactly what you would do with that grad degree. Otherwise you’re wasting even more time and money on a degree that, again, you’ll have no idea what to do with. Never go to grad school just because you can’t think of anything else to do!</p>