How Do You Become a Mathematician?

Many people believe that being good at math is something you are born with. However, this isn’t true — anyone can be good at math, regardless of their natural ability. It takes work to become great at mathematics, and it takes even more work to become an expert in the field of mathematics, but it can be done if you know what you’re doing and you work hard enough to achieve your goals. Luckily, there are plenty of different things you can do to improve your knowledge and skills in mathematics, especially if you want to become an expert in the field.

What is math and what do mathematicians do?

We often hear about math, but what exactly is it? Math is defined as: The study of quantity, structure, space, and change. In other words, mathematical reasoning is used to investigate and solve quantitative problems. This definition can seem rather abstract and general at first glance; however we can create further understanding by discussing mathematics in terms of some specific subfields within it. These subfields include: arithmetic (the study of whole numbers and integers), algebra (the study of symbols), calculus (the study of rates or derivatives) geometry (the study of points in space), set theory (the idea that there are actual infinite sets) among others.

Getting into college

Going to college and earning your degree is an essential step toward becoming a mathematician. While it's not required for everyone, it's almost necessary if you want to land a job in academia, which is one of our favorite types of math jobs. Regardless of whether you attend college for two years or get your PhD, you'll have to take mathematics classes along with core requirements like English and history. These courses will give you a strong background in probability, statistics and number theory—all topics that are important in mathematics. Even if you decide that school isn't for you after all (and there's nothing wrong with that!), don't throw away those notes. They could come in handy!

Choosing your major

The majority of mathematicians are college-educated. If you want to become a mathematician, therefore, it's logical to choose your major in high school and do well in math courses. Although some jobs require an advanced degree (such as master's or PhD), others are open to those with bachelor's degrees. In fact, many mathematicians work as analysts for private companies and don't even have graduate degrees. The main thing employers look for is solid reasoning skills—even if you haven't completed post-graduate schooling in mathematics, if you have excellent analytical abilities and can solve problems effectively (after all, that’s what mathematicians do) then you’ll likely have job opportunities available upon graduation.

Finding a job

Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start looking for a job in math. So how do you get started? Begin by contacting your math professors at local colleges, or search on Google or LinkedIn for mathematics-related companies. Take initiative and reach out directly—it's always better to call someone than sit back and wait for them to contact you! Your direct approach will show you're serious about finding work. And don't forget that once you've completed an internship or summer program, consider sending a quick follow-up email with your updated resume attached; it never hurts to ask! If all else fails, attend conferences and network events—you might even find people who are hiring at their current companies!

Are you cut out for it?

Not everyone is cut out to be a mathematician, just like not everyone is cut out to be an athlete or artist. But for those who have what it takes and want to do it, here’s how you can get there. What does it take to become a professional mathematician? To start with, you’ll need to set your sights on earning at least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics (the degrees differ between countries). And don’t forget about getting good grades! To get into most top-tier schools, you'll need high marks in math. The next step is picking your specialty—there are dozens of careers within mathematics! Some mathematicians use math to tackle daily tasks like accounting; others research biological systems or study stars and galaxies.

A day in the life of a mathematician

A mathematician’s job description varies wildly, depending on which niche of mathematics they work in. Mathematicians who work for private industries or consultancies may spend their days cranking out code and crunching numbers to help clients solve real-world problems. Others serve as professors at universities and teach students both undergraduate and graduate-level math courses. Even other mathematicians find themselves working in a variety of non-traditional roles, such as data analysts, research assistants, even tech developers! If you want to know what it takes to become a mathematician—or how mathematicians spend their day once they’re actually in the field—this is your go-to guide.