Quang
How a PURE mathematician makes money?
I want to have a deeper visual about the life of a PURE mathematician such as how long will they spend time at the workforce? which things that they have to do? If they do not have any idea how to solve the problem they are pursuing, what can they do to make money during that period? Thanks. #college #career #finance #mathematics
3 answers
Jaron Hightower-Mills
Jaron’s Answer
Most pure mathematicians work as professors doing research at a university and teaching mathematics. Professors are salaries positions, so they would earn money while working on their research. However, publishing research articles is an important part of being a professor.
Yonatan Schultz
Yonatan’s Answer
The biggest employers of pure mathematicians are the NSA (for code making and breaking) and the IRS. These are viable applications for your education if you don't stay in academia. If you do stay in the academic world you would typically get your PhD, then post doctorate work and eventually become a professor.
That said, pure mathematics give you the skills necessary to segue into other fields, particularly software development. That's what I did (from physics, not mathematics however) and I know quite a few physicists and mathematicians in the software development field.
Mike R
Mike’s Answer
Mathematics is a problem solving discipline, and that will always be a skillset in demand. The key thing business looks for is the ability to solve problems and the flexibility to use whatever tools you have available to do that.