Your successful completion of a Math major at USD prepares you for a variety of interesting careers and areas of graduate study. Scroll down to find out more.
Mathematics Careers
Explore the wide-ranging career opportunities within the field of mathematics.
Things Mathematicians Have Been Hired to Do in Industry
(for details, see job profiles from the American Mathematical Society)
- Apply graph theory to problems in the telecommunications industry
- Model the shape and chemical constitution of a region of land under the sea given only the depth and composition at a few specific points in that region
- Use optimization techniques to predict the most lucrative places to drill for oil
- Perform research for risk management and derivatives pricing in Foreign Exchange, equity and interest rate markets
- Use mathematics to study cell cycle regulation, tumor growth, and regeneration of the Epithelial after irradiation
- Monitor the operation of space shuttle onboard date processing system, both hardware and software
- Teach various Space Shuttle crews the operation of both the Data Processing and Navigation systems on the Shuttle Mission Simulation
- Use numerical analysis to solve complete heat transfer problems
- Work on problems aimed at improving the Navy's ability to college, transmit, and process information essential to its operations
- Develop ways to make computers more responsive to the user
Common Job Titles for Mathematicians:
- Actuary
- Account Manager
- Actuarial Assistant
- Analyst to the CEO
- Data Analyst
- Data Science Analyst
- Financial Planner
- Investment Research Analyst
- Post-Baccalaureate Researcher
- Research Analyst
- Software Engineer
- Technical Applications Scientist
- and so much more!
Check out the 100 Best Jobs according to U.S News & World Report.
Types of Employers
Private and Non-Profit Organizations:
- Aerospace Companies
- Banks
- Biochemical Corporations
- Colleges and Universities
- Computer Firms
- Engineering Firms
- Investment Firms
- Market Research Firms
- Mortgage Companies
- Pharmaceuticals
- Telecommunications Industry
Government Agencies (Federal, State, County, Municipal):
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Defense Logistics Agency
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Health Care Financing Administration
- Justice Department
- Library of Congress
- NASA
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- National Security Agency
- National Technical Information Service
- Research Agencies
- US Navy
Pursuing Graduate Study
Some careers in mathematics require postgraduate work, typically with a master's or a PhD. We have put together a guide about the benefits of pursuing graduate study as well as how to prepare for and apply to graduate programs.
Mathematics Alumni
Current Status
- Employed: 28.6%
- Furthering education: 47.6%
- Full-time service: 0%
- Military: 9.5%
- Seeking employment: 14.3%
- Not Seeking employment: 0%
First Job Offer
- Before graduating: 33.3%
- Within 3 months: 33.3%
- 4-6 months: 33.3%
- More than 6 months: 0%
See where our graduates have gone
Alumni Stories
Hear from our Toreros
Additional Resources
Here are additional math career resources to help you with your search.
The American Mathematical Society (AMS) career page offers a comprehensive resource for exploring various career paths in mathematics. It also includes insights into career development and opportunities for both academic and non-academic positions within the field.
The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Math Careers page provides an array of resources for exploring career opportunities in mathematics, including job postings, career advice, and professional development tips. It also features information on various sectors where math skills are valuable, helping individuals navigate career paths and enhance their professional growth.
The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) Professional Development page offers resources and programs designed to enhance the skills and career prospects of professionals in applied and computational mathematics. It includes information on workshops, conferences, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering career growth and professional advancement in the field.
The Mathematically Gifted & Black website celebrates and highlights the achievements of Black mathematicians, providing a platform for showcasing their contributions to the field. It features profiles, interviews, and resources that promote diversity and inspire the next generation of mathematicians.
The Lathisms website showcases the achievements and contributions of Latinas in STEM field, with a focus on mathematics. It features profiles, resources, and initiatives aimed at supporting and advancing the careers of Latina professionals and students in STEM disciplines.