What Can I Do with My Mathematics Major?

The study of mathematics provides a universal and definite set of tools that are applicable in any area where quantitative reasoning or analysis is required. This discipline teaches one how to understand patterns and structures in the world, how to seek out and utilize original sources of information, and how to make conclusions based on solid facts on which one can then expound. The math department at Georgetown promotes research in both pure and applied mathematics as well as in statistics.

Georgetown math majors graduate with the skills necessary to succeed in quantitative-intensive professions, such as academic or industrial mathematics and statistics, as well as professions which require logical thinking and the ability to communicate, such as law, medicine, engineering and economics.

The study of mathematics allows for the development of analytical and critical thinking skills that facilitates success in various professions. Throughout your experience in the program, you will obtain the following skills:

Critical Thinking Skills

  • Defining and formulating problems
  • Interpreting data and evaluating results
  • Understanding patterns and structures
  • Critical analysis of the soundness of thought process and approach
  • Careful and quantitative thinking skills

Effective Communication Skills

  • Computer modeling
  • Writing concisely
  • Explaining complex concepts
  • Developing precise and logical arguments

Research Skills

  • Using original sources
  • Applying theoretical approaches to research problems
  • Analyzing and interpreting statistics

You can use the examples above, and experiences from classes or research projects to enhance your resume. Try plugging in some of your experiences or skills gained into this formula: Accomplished (X) as measured by (Y) by doing (Z).

Sample Resume Class 1, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Member of Class, taught by Prof. ______

  • Demonstrated proficiency with using statistical language R and development environment RStudio to create visual displays of data, import and manipulate datasets, and write and comment code in MATH 225 Data Visualization & Graphics.
  • Learned key concepts of nonlinear dynamics, including limit points and limit cycles, stability and instability, bifurcations, attractors, and chaos and applied concepts through projects on (insert project topic) in MATH 314 Nonlinear Differential Equations. 
  • Studied optimization problems and how to solve them using various analytical techniques including linear programming, nonlinear programming, variational problems, and optimal control in MATH 425 Optimization.

Georgetown Alumni have taken their mathematics degree across multiple different industries and have applied the skills they learned in mathematics across multiple disciplines. 

Additional information about these outcomes can be found in Cawley’s Post Graduation Outcome Report

“An underrated benefit of studying Math at Georgetown was the relatively small, tight-knit community of majors, minors, and professors. Small size and small department meant more individual attention from professors. What I enjoyed most was the quality of the professors.” – 2021 Georgetown College Graduate, Mathematics

“Studying math at Georgetown gave me the analytical and problem solving skills that I need for a lucrative career in whichever field I choose. It is a very flexible field and it can be applied to nearly anything.” – 2021 Georgetown College Graduate, Mathematics

Helpful Keywords to Improve Searches
There are lots of ways to find good keywords to help your job or internship search process, or even just to learn more about the types of jobs you can do within a specific major. One way to explore this is by checking out the job search tool on Google. 

Once you are in, type in something generic like your major and the world internship afterward. Once you hit enter, it will give you lots of options to explore, but if you want to explore titles, possible career paths, or keywords, hover your mouse over the ‘Title’ tab on the top of the page. This will give you a ton of ideas and options to explore possible keywords. 

Sample Internship Opportunities

  • Auditing (e.g., Deloitte & Touche, Mizuho Capital Markets Corporation)
  • Consulting (e.g., ClusterStar KG, Accenture, KPMG, PriceWaterhouseCoopers)
  • Banking and Finance (e.g., Deutsche Bank, Bank of America Securities, FG Companies, Hudson Capitol Group)
  • Education (e.g., EnCorps Teachers Program)
  • Government (e.g., Bureau of Labor Statistics, Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency)
  • Hedge Fund Research (e.g., Two Sigma Investments, LLC)
  • Information Technology (e.g., OnDeego, World NetMedia, Avirtek, Network Technician, Apple Computer)
  • Banking and Finance (e.g., Deutsche Bank, Bank of America Securities)
  • Real Estate (e.g., ViaWest Properties LLC)

The Georgetown Mathematics and Statistics Department Website is rich with additional information on studying Mathematics.

GU Mathematics and Statistics Department 

Professional Associations are a great place to go to dive deeper into the field of mathematics and learn more about what post grad life might look like. 

Vault is a fantastic resource to learn more about specific career fields in mathematics. Vault has information such as salary information, work environment, education and training requirements, outlooks, and specific tips for entering into the field. 

Professors & Academic Deans
Georgetown professors and faculty members can be a wonderful resource for Georgetown students. If you are still curious to learn more about the disciplines of a specific major, we’d encourage you to connect with your professors! Outside of office hours, Georgetown has an online interface called GU360 where students can explore and connect with faculty members that are eager to mentor and support students. You can use this interface to learn more about specific department research, specialties, and areas of study within a major.  

You can also connect with your academic dean or counselor to further discuss opportunities within a given major. 

Lastly, each department has a dedicated Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). This is the individual in charge of coordinating the major program or department as a whole. You can find the Director of Undergraduate Studies by exploring the faculty and staff pages of individual departments websites.

Alumni 
Connecting with alumni is a fantastic way to explore a day in the life of any given major student. There are several different ways to connect with Georgetown Alums. Hoya Gateway is Georgetown’s premier networking platform which connects alumni and students to have meaningful conversations and build a strong network of support. This is a platform alumni opt into with the sole purpose of supporting current students, which means there is an extremely high response rate. 

You can also utilize LinkedIn to connect with Georgetown Alum. A simple alumni search on Georgetown’s LinkedIn profile will help you get connected to approximately 130 thousand alumni, which you can then filter to meet the location, major, industry, or skills that you are interested in exploring.

You can also check out our Post Graduation Outcomes to learn more about what Georgetown alumni in specific majors are up to after graduation. We survey our seniors at the end of each year and into the following year to learn about jobs they secured, service opportunities they committed to, or graduate schools they decided to attend. You can filter by first major to get an idea of what life after Georgetown looks like. You’ll see in many cases that alums are using majors in a wide variety of ways, and your major doesn’t always equal your career path. 

Career Center Staff
You can also connect with career center staff to talk through the possible outcomes of one major over another. In short, there are endless opportunities no matter what major you choose. However, connecting with someone might help you navigate your decision making process a little bit easier. 

At the career center, you have the opportunity to meet with either a Career Exploration Counselor or an Industry Advisor. Career Exploration Counselors can help you talk through concerns, goals, the big picture, and strategies to move forward. You can think of them as generalists and a great place to get started. Industry Advisors can help you think through specific questions about a given career path and provide specific industry information and trends. You can think of them as specialists for once you start to narrow down your possible path. If you think an appointment with one of these individuals would benefit you, you can make an appointment on Handshake.

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