jobs that require strong maths ability

AN ACTUARY

An actuary is a business professional who uses maths, statistics, and economics to help measure risk and calculate the probability of future events. Actuaries usually work in insurance firms, but many actuaries are also employed by the government to help them prepare and plan for the future.

To become a qualified actuary, you need to take a series of exams which are known to be some of the most challenging exams in the financial sphere. Failing actuarial exams is very common and it can take an average of 4 to 7 years for people to complete all the necessary exams and become fully qualified. However, actuaries can expect to see significant pay rises after passing an exam and so there is a lot of financial compensation for the work required to do well in this profession. Additionally, some universities offer actuarial science as an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, which allows students to receive exam exemptions if they do well in specific modules in the course.

Actuaries generally have a good work-life balance, especially after qualification, and the work environment is more relaxed than some other financial careers.

AN ECONOMIST

An economist carries out research, collects and analyses data, and creates forecasts about economic trends using statistical analysis. Economists can work for the government or investment banks and hedge funds or other large financial institutions that may benefit from deep economic analysis and the understanding of how the effects of future changes in the economy and policy could impact the company’s profit and market share.

To become a successful economist, you’ll need to obtain a good degree in economics and a lot of employers look for people with a Masters or PhD in economics so it’s important to study the subject to a high level and perform academically well.

A FINANCIAL ANALYST

A financial analyst tracks stocks, bonds, equities, and many other financial instruments and then offers advice based on the data that has been collected. Financial analysts would be tasked with making forecasts and projections and creating Excel models, presentations, and reports.

Financial analysts need to have strong written and verbal communication to succeed in their role. Many companies hire financial analysts so there are several opportunities, particularly in financial institutions.

A STATISTICIAN

Statisticians use statistics to collect and interpret data and use it to find practical solutions to problems. Statisticians can work in an array of industries ranging from education to the environment.

Statisticians’ roles mainly consist of designing and managing experiments and looking for patterns that can be used to make decisions. To be a statistician you need to have strong IT skills and be confident using different statistical software. Also, statisticians need to have the ability to communicate their findings with clients and peers, and therefore learning how to break down complex concepts in a way that is understandable to a non-statistical specialist will help you become successful within your job.

A DATA SCIENTIST

Data scientists convert raw data into meaningful information for companies. As the value of data is increasing, the demand for data scientists is on the rise! Data scientists use algorithms, artificial intelligence, statistical tools, data mining, and machine learning to interpret and process large volumes of data and present them indigestible and meaningful ways.

Data scientists can find work in a range of fields, most obviously in finance, but there is a range of job opportunities in academia, health, government, and tech. Data scientists need to be able to build algorithms and design experiments that can extract data, as well as be able to use machine learning and statistical techniques to produce solutions to problems. Therefore, data scientists will be expected to know some programming languages such as Java, SQL, R, or Python and have a strong grounding in database design.

AN AUDITOR

Auditors are financial specialists who are authorised to review and verify the accuracy of financial records and ensure that companies comply with taxation laws.

Auditors need to have strong interpersonal skills and a good eye for detail to interact with people and examine detailed financial records. To become an auditor you’ll need to dedicate some of your free time to studying for professional exams. However, the cost of acquiring these qualifications is usually covered by the employer.

A DATA ANALYST

Data analysts, analyse data! The role of data analysts encompasses identifying areas to increase efficiency and automation of processes, and produce and track key performance indicators. People who have this job have strong mathematical skills and are highly analytical individuals.

Data analysts can work in a range of industries but the majority work within the financial sphere. Data analysts need to be able to communicate the data they work with to their colleagues, so data analysts should have strong interpersonal, persuasive, and communication skills.

A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Software developers design, build and test computer programs for companies, educational institutions, and government. Software developers are highly sought after in the tech industries which is a growing industry so demand for these skills is very high.

Software developers need to have strong technical abilities and be able to code. Software developers can expect to have a good work-life balance and be well compensated for their work.

AN INVESTMENT BANKER

An investment banker is tasked with raising capital for corporations, governments, and other financial entities. Investment bankers usually work for large multinational investment banks which are predominately located in large cities.

There are different types of corporate investment bankers, and the workload and hours can vary depending on the specific role you apply for. Investment bankers are known to work very long hours and occasionally work on the weekend. It is a very high-pressured job that can be quite aggressive in the workplace. However, people who work as investment bankers are paid very highly, and so graduate jobs in these roles are incredibly competitive.

A MATHS TEACHER

A maths teacher helps to educate young people in mathematics. Maths teachers need to have a broad and strong understanding of the subject and be able to simplify mathematical concepts and explain them to students. Maths teachers can either work in a private or a state school, however, there are more teaching opportunities in state education.

To be a good maths teacher, you need to be able to understand what it is like to learn simpler maths topics for the first time so that you can empathise with students who may be struggling to grasp mathematical concepts. Also, good time management skills are necessary as you’ll have to balance lesson planning, marking, meetings, and other teaching responsibilities.

Teaching can be an incredibly rewarding profession as you have the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of dozens of students. However, teachers need a lot of patience as students can be difficult to work with and so having good behavioural management skills is an important aspect of succeeding in the classroom and ensuring every student has the best chance of learning.

SUMMARY

The opportunities for people who have strong mathematical abilities are endless. Maths university graduates and graduates who study numerate degrees are in high demand in the finance industry as they possess strong technical skills and can analyse data and recognise and contextualise patterns. The list above is not exhaustive, so I recommend looking at some more potential career paths you could go down! Let me know in the comments the careers you are considering in the future.