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Not me, that's for sure. I interviewed two maths phd's years ago, who wanted to get out of academia because they felt themselves above chasing grant money, but

by roel_v 9y ago

Not me, that's for sure. I interviewed two maths phd's years ago, who wanted to get out of academia because they felt themselves above chasing grant money, but then didn't want to do anything that wasn't their phd topic or related (of which I didn't even understand what it was, and they couldn't explain, or give examples of what it could be used for). On the other hand, I did hire people who studied maths in programmer-ish roles; meaning: they didn't have to be programmers, we'd teach them, but they did have to apply maths to our concrete problems and translate it into programmed solutions. I don't think any of them used particularly advanced maths, or did anything they could get published in maths journals (not that I'd recognize it if I'd see it) So, from my perspective, to be employed as a 'mathematician', you have to go into academia. Otherwise, you have to apply your math skills in some other field; but you won't be called (or probably feel) a 'mathematician'. (all people with advanced maths degrees I know work as programmers)

jordigh 9y ago
That was my experience. All my math degree ever did was mildly impress potential recruiters, but I had to learn how to code things unrelated to mathematics to get a job. The only job I was able to get as a mathematician "outside" of academia was a brief stint teaching high school mathematics. Which was fun and I would do again if the pay were higher.
- sillysaurus3 9y ago
  It was fun? Could you talk about that some more? Any time someone talks wistfully about a job they'd like to have, it's good to listen.
  - jordigh 9y ago
    I was replacing someone on mat leave so I could only have the job for one year. I was teaching three regular classes of geometry, one honours geometry, and one IB Standard Level class which was a whirlwind mish-mash of topics. The honours class was an absolute blast to teach. The kids were engaged, they were able to handle the toughest problems I could throw at them, they liked being there. Having the privilege to teach that class was worth the whole year. The regular geometry classes were more challenging but still lots of fun to teach. It was more difficult there to get across to the kids. Many of them didn't want to be there. I still tried and came up with lots of different ways to explain things. Not all of my methods were successful. The IB SL class was a mixed bag. These were dedicated students who worked hard but didn't really want to take a lot of mathematics, because they didn't want to take the Higher Level class. Some of them understood, some of them didn't. I was very sad to have one student who for whatever reason I just couldn't reach. She seemed dedicated, very polite, she wanted to succeed, but she failed nearly every exam. It was a little heartbreaking. I have no idea what I was doing wrong. I was very young and green. I have had more informal teaching experience, mostly in the way of giving tech talks or explaining computer things to other computer people, but I always wish I could be explaining geometry again to kids, trying to nudge them to explore and learn in their own ways.
quickthrower2 9y ago
This is quite anecdotal and not very helpful to the question asked. All the time people apply for jobs with different expectations than what the job role is. That is what the interview process is for, so both sides can find out if there is a good fit.
- roel_v 9y ago
  "That is what the interview process is for, so both sides can find out if there is a good fit." Well yeah, that's exactly what the anecdote illustrates - people who aren't hung up on 'doing maths' or 'being a mathematician' will have ample opportunity; those that are better like it at universities because that's where they're heading.

by roel_v 9y ago

jordigh 9y ago

That was my experience. All my math degree ever did was mildly impress potential recruiters, but I had to learn how to code things unrelated to mathematics to get a job. The only job I was able to get as a mathematician "outside" of academia was a brief stint teaching high school mathematics. Which was fun and I would do again if the pay were higher.

sillysaurus3 9y ago
It was fun? Could you talk about that some more? Any time someone talks wistfully about a job they'd like to have, it's good to listen.
- jordigh 9y ago
  I was replacing someone on mat leave so I could only have the job for one year. I was teaching three regular classes of geometry, one honours geometry, and one IB Standard Level class which was a whirlwind mish-mash of topics. The honours class was an absolute blast to teach. The kids were engaged, they were able to handle the toughest problems I could throw at them, they liked being there. Having the privilege to teach that class was worth the whole year. The regular geometry classes were more challenging but still lots of fun to teach. It was more difficult there to get across to the kids. Many of them didn't want to be there. I still tried and came up with lots of different ways to explain things. Not all of my methods were successful. The IB SL class was a mixed bag. These were dedicated students who worked hard but didn't really want to take a lot of mathematics, because they didn't want to take the Higher Level class. Some of them understood, some of them didn't. I was very sad to have one student who for whatever reason I just couldn't reach. She seemed dedicated, very polite, she wanted to succeed, but she failed nearly every exam. It was a little heartbreaking. I have no idea what I was doing wrong. I was very young and green. I have had more informal teaching experience, mostly in the way of giving tech talks or explaining computer things to other computer people, but I always wish I could be explaining geometry again to kids, trying to nudge them to explore and learn in their own ways.

quickthrower2 9y ago

This is quite anecdotal and not very helpful to the question asked. All the time people apply for jobs with different expectations than what the job role is. That is what the interview process is for, so both sides can find out if there is a good fit.

roel_v 9y ago
"That is what the interview process is for, so both sides can find out if there is a good fit." Well yeah, that's exactly what the anecdote illustrates - people who aren't hung up on 'doing maths' or 'being a mathematician' will have ample opportunity; those that are better like it at universities because that's where they're heading.