It may be unwelcome news for some, but math isn't just for technical professions anymore.As the world becomes more and more data driven, the ability to process information quickly and quantitatively has started to command higher starting salaries. According to the book Overcoming Math Anxiety, a professor at National University estimates that starting salaries across all industries increase by $2,000 for every math class someone has taken after the ninth grade.
In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Jennifer Courter, a researcher at mental images Inc., said "[Math] is a lot more than just some boring subject that everybody has to take in school ... It's the science of problem-solving."
It's no wonder that a recent study conducted by Adico Inc. listed "Mathematician" as the best job in the country. The average Mathematician earns an estimated $94,160 a year and is treated to great working conditions in a variety of fields. Additionally, every single one of the top ten highest starting salaries in 2009 involves a generous amount of mathematics.
Most of us spent our youth undoubtedly asking ourselves "When am I ever going to use this stuff?" Those who went on to study engineering and computer science quickly found their answer. The trend, however, points towards math becoming increasingly important in other fields as well. We all need a little math in our lives. Even a firm understanding of basic math can improve earnings. Richard Murnane and Frank Levy conducted a study on the subject and found that a "mastery of skills taught in American schools no later than the eighth grade is an increasingly important determinant of subsequent wages."
While employers are not likely to count the number of math classes you've listed on your resume, they will be looking for the abilities that tend to be correlated to those classes. Measurable skills such as data analysis, data manipulation, forecasting and budgeting are undoubtedly important, but the ability to handle complex problems and engage in higher level thinking are two traits thinking mathematically helps nurture.
The good news for the less mathematically inclined is that when it comes to improving your professional skill set and abilities, it's never too late to start. A number of resources exist online to help you get started.
Online Math Resources
- Math.com Online Games
- The Math Forum Student Center
- American Public University System Instructional Math Videos
- MIT Open Courseware: Mathematics
- Math Jobs on Emurse.com
"Students often ask me what to take in school... my answer?... follow your natural interests, but take lots of math!"
- Thomas E. Dunham, Vice President and General Manager for GE Medical Systems, General Electric Company
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex Rudloff says: (12:41PM on Aug 21st 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Admittedly, I was always a pretty poor math student. I remember once tutoring someone for a test, he got a b and I somehow failed.
I still like to blame scan trons for that one... ;)
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Gary says: (6:56AM on Aug 22nd 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I graduated as a mechanical engineer and the only math I used was trigonometry on blue prints.
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MBW says: (9:22AM on Aug 22nd 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2.5/3
It is the problem solving skills learned through math courses that are so important. Even though, for example, actual Calculus questions may not seem appear in one's daily life, problems needing the thought processes and solution skills learned through upper level math courses will. It is no wonder why some of the people history, (and contemporary society, for that matter), consider to be the 'smartest' have strong math skills.
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Mark says: (5:11AM on Sep 7th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport3/3
Completely correct. Math has never been a naturally gripping subject, even in the halcyon days of the New Frontier as our nation became enamored of NASA space flight, Jaques Cousteau's deep sea exploration, atomic power, compiling code, advanced materials, and ever higher speed travel. Many of us chose science, math and engineering as career paths. Those who stuck with it (and remain engaged today) have by and large done very well, financially. Maybe not as well as the hedge fund managers, but at least we can sleep well at night knowing that we helped to create value... not just extract it. Math was (and still is), the key to all these doors, and the key to a long and healthy career.
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Brian J King says: (7:01PM on Aug 29th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Coming from someone that has a high school diploma from a private school, a bachelors degree in Visual Communications & Marketing, and a Masters of Technology Education in Instructional Design I have yet to take a math class higher then Algebra 2 and some statistics courses (both undergraduate & graduate statistics courses).
What I believe needs to happen is to teach students of today how to find answers to real life problems in math, not how to figure out some random question by hand, but how to utilize a calculator, MS Excel, Minitab, SPSS, etc to analyze and interpret the data. This is the important part, how to utilize the tools that are readily available to solve the issue presented.
Thoughts?
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Alex says: (3:50PM on Sep 15th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I think these types of posts are totally useless—damaging, even. Now some poor schmuck somewhere out there is going to defer his life for another 2 years so that he can take a couple of math classes. Yes, let's just take that advice. Let's blindly look at the stats. Let's not ask ourselves "how can I best add value to the world?", and "is taking math classes really going to get me there or fulfill me in any way." I'd rather you hadn't written anything at all.
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Alex says: (3:53PM on Sep 15th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
By this logic, you should be able to create a blank page with a search-box in the center with a little logo and become the next Google. Come on.