"What can I do with a mathematics or physics major?"  As you consider different majors or approach graduation, you need to explore your options.  Although everyone is aware of teaching as option, do you know of other options with a mathematics or physics major?

As you explore, one problem is that few job titles will actually say "mathematician" or "physicist."  In fact, most occupations with those titles require a Ph.D.  But that doesn't mean that you are left out in the cold with just a bachelor's degree.  Many employers prize people with a strong math or physics background, not because they need people to evaluate integrals or work kinetic energy problems, but because they need people to be problem solvers.

You may discover some options by considering what some of Cumberland's graduates in mathematics and physics are doing now.  Besides educators, you will find many math or physics majors who are working in the computer industry.  Of these, you will find some who double majored with Computer Information Systems (CIS), but you will also find some who took few, if any, computer classes while a student.  The latter group was hired because the employer knew that they had developed their logic and problem solving skills.  The employer could then teach them the programming, web design, or other computer skills that they would use. 

You will also find some who are using their problem solving skills that they developed as undergraduates and applying those skills in business, government, or in the military. They may work as a director of manufacturing operation, network manager, or as a financial analyst for such companies as the American Express, Bell South, IBM, and Marriott.

Either immediately after graduating with a bachelors or later, many people eventually decide to further their education.  Their masters or doctorate may be in statistics, engineering, mathematics, physics, medical physics, computer science, education, or even medicine.  Especially in the areas of mathematics and physics, the bonus is that many universities will pay you to attend graduate school.  If you can show them that you are a promising student by having high grades in college and a good score on the GRE, they will pay you a stipend which is sufficient to live on and often waive tuition as well.  You may be responsible for running a weekly help session or for teaching a class, such as College Algebra.

A few of the graduates have written letters to prospective students; you may find some interesting facts in them, as well. Click below to read what some of them say.  

Send comments or suggestions to math@ucumberlands.edu or jramey@ucumberlands.edu.  

Last updated: October 20, 2005