Applying Mathematics in Business, Industry and Government Career Paths for Undergraduates in Mathema

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Applying Mathematics in Business, Industry and
GovernmentCareer Paths for Undergraduates in
Mathematics
Michael Monticino University of North Texas
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Increased Opportunities

• Tremendous increase in the need and use of
  advanced quantitative techniques in business,
  science and government
• Bioinformatics, risk analysis, adaptive software
  systems, statistical data analysis, environmental
  modeling,
• Microsoft, NSA, Merck Pharmaceuticals, IBM,
  Yahoo!, Boeing, Wagner Associates, GM, U.S. Navy,
  Raytheon, Bank of America, American Express,
  Goldman Sachs Co.,Price Waterhouse, EPA,

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Great Basic Training

• Math major is very successful in preparing for
  key elements of jobs
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to deal with complex problems
• Experience in formulating problems
• Ability abstract problems from the specific to
  the general
• Learn to question

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So Why Doesnt Everyone Want to be a Math Major?

• Career information abundant but not adequately
  disseminated
• Lack of effective marketing
• Alumni tracking
• Salary data
• Misconception that academics/teaching is only
  career path
• Many programs present obstacles to pursuing
  non-academic career

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So Why Doesnt Every Company Want to hire a Math
Major?

• Capabilities of math majors are not well
  understood
• Mismatch in academic training and job
  requirements
• Need to be useful, as well as smart

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My Mathematical Projects

• Diverse organizations
• U.S. Navy, Bank of America, SAIC, U.S. Army,
  Americas Cash Express, IBM, Paramark, Fox TV,
  ABC News, Electronic Arts, FEMA, Institute for
  Defense Analysis, Argo Data Resources
• Diverse applications
• Anti-submarine warfare, portfolio optimization,
  risk analysis, quality control, inventory
  management, Internet targeting, market research,
  forecasting, operator staffing

FOX
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Project Features

• Learn new areas quickly
• Science, business and the math
• Collaboration
• Multi-disciplinary
• Non-technical associates
• Communication
• Written for non-technical audience, quick
  response
• Verbal face-to-face meetings, conference calls
• Listening established agendas
• Intense deadlines

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Project Features

• Often mathematics is straightforward
• Work increasingly involves significant
  statistical data analysis component
• Trade-off between mathematically most correct
  method versus robust understandable method
• Creative problem solution approaches
• Software implementation

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Preparing for a Career
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Employers

• IS Industry
• IBM, Intel, HP, Microsoft, EDS, Cray Research,
  Heuristech Solutions, Samplex Tech, Enterprise
  Electronics Corporation, Scmetco Inc, Argo Data
  Resources
• Finance
• KPMG, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Price
  Waterhouse, Automobile Insurers Bureau, Wells
  Fargo, B of A, ACE, Insurance companies
• Consulting
• IDA, Mitre, SAIC, Wagner Associates, Metron,
  Applied Mathematics, Whitlock Brothers

• Bio-Tech
• Merck, Affymetrics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals,
  Phitzer, Hoffman La Roche Labs, Cleveland Clinic,
  CDC
• Manufacturing
• GM, Boeing, Raytheon, Kodak, Lockheed Martin,
  PG, Litton, TI, L.L. Bean, Molon Motor Corp, Aco
  Self Storage
• Government
• Bureau of Transportation Statistics, NIST, VA,
  Los Alamos Lab, Aerospace, NSA, U.S. Navy, DOD,
  City of San Francisco, Providence Water Supply

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Employers

• Argo Data Resources Entry Level Quantitative
  Analyst
• Assist in design and development of applications
  related to forecasting, data analysis,
  statistical models, and decision support rules
  engine.
• Southwest Airlines Analyst
• Serve as liaison between modeling and end-user
  groups of revenue optimization tools develop
  optimization engines
• Arrow Electronics Supply Chain Analyst
• Responsible for analysis and optimization of
  Arrow's inventory management processes systems
• Kentucky Fried Chicken Consumer Insights
  Analyst
• Apply math/stats models to develop behavior
  knowledge that will enable consumer insights to
  impact bottom line results

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General Skills Smart AND Useful

• Problem solving
• Skill and experience in formulating, modeling,
  and solving problems from diverse and dynamic
  areas
• Breadth and Flexibility
• Broad knowledge of science and business
• Interest in learning new applications and methods
• Computation
• Coding experience
• Standard software tools, programming languages,
  math/stats software packages

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General Skills

• Communication
• Spoken and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate with non-technical
  colleagues and clients
• Teamwork
• Adeptness and experience with working with
  diverse groups
• Meet deadlines
• Dedication to quality and willingness to
  compromise

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Quantitative Skills

• Broad knowledge of mathematics
• Computation
• Modeling
• Statistics/data analysis/probability
• Numerical methods
• Differential equations
• OR/optimization
• Discrete math

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Career Resources

• SIAM (www.siam.org)
• Articles, reports, career profiles, job listings
• American Statistical Association (www.amstat.org)
• Career center
• AMS (www.ams.org)
• Lots of career information links
• MAA (www.maa.org)
• Career profiles, books, articles
• INFORMS (www.informs.org)
• Jobs listings and career profiles
• Phds.org
• Great articles and list of resources
• www.math-jobs.com
• Listings of a wide variety of math jobs

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Career Resources

• BIG SIGMAA
• Source of speakers
• Special sessions at professional meetings
• Mathematics in business, industry and
  government special session at this meeting,
  Saturday, January 7, 830 1000